WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK:THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY UPDATE

Daniel AllenMark Cunningham

Xavier GavinBrian Hampel

Andria NutschMary Rogers

What makes a public space SUCCESSFUL?

What does KANSAS CITY need?What does KANSAS CITY need?

What makes a public space SUCCESSFUL?What makes a public space SUCCESSFUL?

What can WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK become?

What does KANSAS CITY need?

What makes a public space SUCCESSFUL?What makes a public space SUCCESSFUL?

A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...

utilized by surrounding residents

A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...A SUCCESSFUL public space is...

an attraction

varied programming

DESIGN STRATEGY:RESEARCH BASED DESIGNRESEARCH BASED DESIGN

who are the current park users? who are the current park users?who are the current park users?

who are the potential users? who are the potential users?

what are the assets on which we can capitalize?

WSP is and needs to continue to act as a central location for KC parades and races.

The park will be a visual and physical connection between the street car stops on Main and the bus stop on Grand.

CURRENT PARK USES: EVENTS

CURRENT PARK USES: KC MARATHON

CURRENT PARK USES: KC MARATHON

Infrastructure to support runners, parade attendees, and festival-goers is needed in the park

Successful parks are needed and utilized by their surrounding residents.

But right now, the residential population is low near WSP.

201+ persons

100-200 persons

51-100 persons

11-60 persons

1-10 persons

WSP needs a higher residential population to increase demand for open green space

TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC: RESIDENTIAL

Due to Kansas City’s high percentage of workplace commuters, WSP sees most of its activity during the day.

The employment population is high near WSP, and as a result night life in the park is basically non-existent, with most employees commuting back to their homes after normal business hours.

71-140

38-70

19-37

7-18

0-6

3501-7000

1201-3500

601-1200

281-600

141-280

0-6 7-18

19-37

38-70

71-140141-280

281-600601-12001201-35003501-7000

Number of Employees

Most employees commute back to their homes after business hoursMost employees commute back to their homes after business hoursMost employees commute back to their homes after business hours

0-6 7-18 19-37 38-70 71-140 141-280 281-600 601-1200 1201-3500 3501-7000Number of Employees

TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC: EMPLOYEES

$837 million residential investment in transportation district

Significant residential development has already begun to occur in the transportation district.

Approximately $837 million has been invested in residential housing units in the specified area.

POTENTIAL USERS: TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT RESIDENTS

Kansas City Streetcar runs along western edge of WSP

However, the new Kansas City street car could help to change all of that.

WSP is in a prime development district due to economic investment along the street car line, which will pass right by the park on Main Street.

POTENTIAL USERS: STREET CAR TRANSPORT

With the arrival of the street car, WSP will need to act as a transportation hub.

The street car will reroute existing bus routes on Main Street over to Grand Boulevard.

The park will be a visual and physical connection between the street car stops on Main and the bus stop on Grand.

POTENTIAL USERS: TRANSPORTATION HUB

WSP southern edge needs to function as a main circulation path between the street car and bus stops

POTENTIAL USERS: TRANSPORTATION HUB

DESIGN FACTORS

Historically, the park was a refuge for tired travelers passing through Union Station.

Removing the link helps to visually re-establish this decades-old connection.

Removal of the link to re-establish connection with Union Station

Historically, the park was a refuge for tired travelers passing through Union Station.

DESIGN FACTORS

“THE LINK” STUDIES

“THE LINK” STUDIES

“THE LINK” STUDIES

“THE LINK” STUDIES

We wanted to physically connect the two major spaces adjacent to WSP.

The first connection is to the front of Union Station, and the second is Crown Center. The park should act as an avenue between the major attractions.

Implied connection space to Union Station

SPACE STUDIES: REAL & IMPLIED

Implied connection space to Crown Center

SPACE STUDIES: REAL & IMPLIEDWe wanted to physically connect the two major spaces adjacent to WSP.

The first connection is to the front of Union Station, and the second is Crown Center. The park should act as an avenue between the major attractions.

VIEWSHED DIAGRAMS

VIEWSHED DIAGRAMS

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

regulating site linesSCHEMATIC DESIGN

resultant park zonesSCHEMATIC DESIGN

design intent

1

Inviting Entrance

• announce WSP to street car passengers

• threshold of park’s western edge

• connection point for visitors from Union Station

1

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

2

Significant Entry MarkerPlaza Space

• claim north lanes of Pershing for food truck occupation

• visual connection between Main and Grand street car and bus stops

• gathering space for established WSP events, such as:

Irish FestKansas City MarathonParades

• an environment that supports future events, such as:

Food Truck FestivalsBeer Gardens

12

design intent

WKCDA Arts Pavilion/Hong Kong/XML Architecture Research Urbanism

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Significant Entry MarkerPlaza SpaceIndoor/Outdoor Pavilion

• formalize view of downtown while keeping seating casual

• ideal seating space for concerts, plays

• opportunity for user-defined play and

interaction with the lifted ground plane

123

design intent

3

Aberdeen City Garden Project/Aberdeen, UK/Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Keppie Design, and Olin Studio

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Significant Entry MarkerPlaza SpaceIndoor/Outdoor PavilionOpen Lawn

• open lawn with a twist (part of pavilion)

• user-defined activities

• staging for concerts or plays with downtown KC as a backdrop

1234

4

Hypar Pavilion/New York, NY/Diller Scofidio + Renfro

design intentSCHEMATIC DESIGN

Significant Entry MarkerPlaza SpaceIndoor/Outdoor PavilionOpen LawnGrand Boulevard Corridor

• pedestrian corridor

• Making Grand Grand development zone

• porous edge

12345

5

Making Grand Grand Streetscape/Kansas City, MO/BNIM

design intentSCHEMATIC DESIGN

VIDEO

VIEWS TO THE NORTH

VIEWS TO THE NORTH

VIEWS TO THE NORTH

Making Grand Grand and Main

Streetcar

SITE DESIGN

Pavilion and Urban Plaza Divide

SITE DESIGN

Urban Plaza Design

SITE DESIGN

Plaza + Trees

SITE DESIGN

Pavilion Tops Design

SITE DESIGN

Remainder of Site Landscaping

SITE DESIGN

Populated Site Plan-Concert

SITE DESIGN

Populated Site Plan-Parade

SITE DESIGN

Populated Site Plan-Beer Garden/Festival

SITE DESIGN

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM: CAFE

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM: RESTROOMS

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMING DIAGRAM

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

Skylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

S kylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

Skylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

Skylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

Skylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Ground Plane and Structural grid

The facades of the two eastern pavilions are comprised of 6’ glass panels that pivot on center. This allows the

spaces to function as open events or enclosed areas.

Pod system

Spaces created by a 10’ by 10’ modular system make implied rooms that give character to each overhead pavilion plane. In some cases these pods serve specific functions and in other they are flexible to accommodate the many uses that may be required by the plaza.

Pavilion top side

The eastern most hills is paved with an ADA accessible ramp that takes park visitors to the 20’ elevated walkway. Here they can view crown center to the south and the Kansas City skyline to the north.

Skylight seating

Skylights are integrated into the hill, bringing light to the plaza side covered pavilion space. These lights also act as seating for those occupying the north side of the hill.

Railing

Railing is placed along the edges of each hill and can be lit at night for way finding as well as reinforcing the pavilions location to those looking south from the downtown area.

Pod base Pods are constructed from concrete and are 10’ tall. With the exception of the restroom and the café’, pods do not have a ceiling enclosure.

Physical barrier Glass walls create implied boundaries for pods while maintaining the visual connection plaza visitors have to the open plaza.

Wood siding Wood siding reinforces the horizontal datum of the elevated walkway. This siding is also lit from underneath allowing the pods to be distinguishable at night.

Ceiling plane As before mentioned; only the café and restrooms have ceiling planes. All other pods are open to the roof of the pavilion.

Pod base Pods are constructed from concrete and are 10’ tall. With the exception of the restroom and the café’, pods do not have a ceiling enclosure.

Physical barrier Glass walls create implied boundaries for pods while maintaining the visual connection plaza visitors have to the open plaza.

Wood siding Wood siding reinforces the horizontal datum of the elevated walkway. This siding is also lit from underneath allowing the pods to be distinguishable at night.

Ceiling plane As before mentioned; only the café and restrooms have ceiling planes. All other pods are open to the roof of the pavilion.

Pod base Pods are constructed from concrete and are 10’ tall. With the exception of the restroom and the café’, pods do not have a ceiling enclosure.

Physical barrier Glass walls create implied boundaries for pods while maintaining the visual connection plaza visitors have to the open plaza.

Wood siding Wood siding reinforces the horizontal datum of the elevated walkway. This siding is also lit from underneath allowing the pods to be distinguishable at night.

Ceiling plane As before mentioned; only the café and restrooms have ceiling planes. All other pods are open to the roof of the pavilion.

Pod base Pods are constructed from concrete and are 10’ tall. With the exception of the restroom and the café’, pods do not have a ceiling enclosure.

Physical barrier Glass walls create implied boundaries for pods while maintaining the visual connection plaza visitors have to the open plaza.

Wood siding Wood siding reinforces the horizontal datum of the elevated walkway. This siding is also lit from underneath allowing the pods to be distinguishable at night.

Ceiling plane As before mentioned; only the café and restrooms have ceiling planes. All other pods are open to the roof of the pavilion.

Pod base Pods are constructed from concrete and are 10’ tall. With the exception of the restroom and the café’, pods do not have a ceiling enclosure.

Physical barrier Glass walls create implied boundaries for pods while maintaining the visual connection plaza visitors have to the open plaza.

Wood siding Wood siding reinforces the horizontal datum of the elevated walkway. This siding is also lit from underneath allowing the pods to be distinguishable at night.

Ceiling plane As before mentioned; only the café and restrooms have ceiling planes. All other pods are open to the roof of the pavilion.

SECTION: LOOKING NORTH

SECTION: LOOKING WEST

SECTION: CITY SECTION