Fulton Gas Works Thesis—UVA

Fulton Gas WorksHistorical, Cultural, and Ethnographic Meaningsof Site [re]-activating the urban fabric

Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.Adviser: Daniel Bluestone

The University of Virginia · MArch Post-Professional · Architectural Thesis 2011

part of group work on Fulton Gas Works Community History Class projectsource: adapted by Alexa Bush

Fulton Gas WorksHistorical, Cultural, and Ethnographic Meaningsof Site [re]-activating the urban fabric

Fulton Site Images, source: Abby M. Chryst

...a fusion of impressions and memories charged with future potential. 1

Contents

— 1 —

Introduction

--- Thesis Statement ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 02--- Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 03

--- Description of Research ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 04 --- Project Ideals ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 05 --- Questions .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 08

Analysis

--- Site Context & History ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 09 --- Statement of Intent ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 24 --- Reasoning ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 26 --- Methodology, Processes & Products ........................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 28

Conclusion --- Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 50 --- Spring 2011 Project Proposal & Description ............................................................................................................................................................................ p. 51 --- Preliminary Research & Project Schedule ................................................................................................................................................................................. p. 52

Lexicons --- Terminology ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... p. 53

Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ p. 56

Introduction — Thesis

— 2 — Thesis Statement · intent · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Throughout this thesis, I would like to explore the [re]generation, [re]activation, and [re]connection of the Fulton Gas Works site as a focal point within the urban context of the city of Richmond.

Introduction — Abstract

— 3 —Introduction—Abstract · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

The city of Richmond contains aprosperous historical past, connected to industry, manufacturing, and affluent figures influential in the community at large.

Fulton Gas Works, now derelict, was once a prominent life force of the city, providing manufactured gas in the form of energy to all reaches of Richmond. This once focal entity of the city, has become disengaged, separated, and blighted from the urban context that surrounds the site.

Throughout this thesis, I would like to explore the [re]generation, [re]activation, and [re]connection of the Fulton Gas Works site as a focal point within the urban context of the city of Richmond.

This process of reactivation will revitalize the urban waterfront, aswell as renew social connections andurban life within this area of the city.

This thesis explores methods of overlay, mapping, and ethnography as a process of peeling back the layers of the site to regenerate new form.

The design thesis focuses on mapping the different typologies, conditions, and programs of the site through time; deriving new form from past histories of place.

The new forms designed at the site and connections made here, will create new meaning for this place within the context of the city; while simultaneously explicating the past histories relevant to

the site and their broader connections to Richmond.

Three areas of connection will be explored; those of the Fulton Gas Works site, its relationship to Chimborazo Park above, and the economic connections between Fulton and the Armitage Manufacturing Co.

The proposed design will combine artist studios and gallery space within the site of Fulton; a combination of housing and commercial spaces in the old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building, and land-scape connections from the gas works to Chimborazo, as well as within Fulton as a site.

Introduction — Research Description

— 4 —Research Description · research collection · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

The research for the design project consists of—

(1.) The collection of information pertaining to the sites by personal interaction with the sites—collecting visual data such as photographs, and other research materials through conversation, interviews, and questions.

(2.) Conducting historical research through the aid of Richmond city directories, census data, present and historical newspapers; other historical, secondary, and primary resources including letters, annual reports, other city reports and documents, permits, books, articles, and historical photographs.

gas lamp street lightingsource: “The Story of the Gas Works.” by George Whitfield

Introduction — Project

— 5 —Project Description · project ideals · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

As an eighteenth century colonial capital, capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and present day capital of the commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond 2 has had its share of economic prosperity as well as hard-ships.

The first business and commerce in Richmond, occurred on the James River. 3 Today, there are many possibilities, and great potential to revitalize Richmond’s waterfront, through the preservation of place, culture, and significance of what this area means for the city.

The site of the Fulton Gas Works, along with many other early nineteenth century industrial buildings, remain, as artifacts along the River and in the older

industrial and manufacturing areas of the city.

Some of these structures have been re-adapted for rent as apartments and office spaces, such as seen in Richmond’s Tobacco Row warehouses.

The site of the old Fulton Gas Works, and the Armitage Manufacturing Co., both have the potential to not only preserve the rich industrial history of Richmond’s past; but they also have the potential to regenerate and revitalize areas along the James River waterfront area in a present context that can be utilized by the entire city of Richmond.

This project holds the objective of revitalizing the Fulton site; which once provided entire illumination for the city;

in order to reclaim the importance, meaning, and history of this place within the urban context in which it is situated.



After the Civil War, Richmond’s entire business district, located on the James River, was set on fire, and completely obliterated, but by 1900 had been completely rebuilt. This image shows the burning of Richmond in 1865.source: CivilWar.net



The city of Richmond, highlighting Broad Street’s bisection of the city (orange line); in relation to Fulton Gas Works site (orange box)source: Google Earth imagery, and Abby M. Chryst

Introduction — Questions

— 8 — Design & Research Questions · initial exploration · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Initial Questions—

· What implications arise concerning adaptive re-use and the idea of bringing new site programs into a previous postindustrial site where this present context is unrelated? (Especially concerning the introduction of artists/artisans to the site).

· In what ways, can the proposed site program connect with previous site programs?

· How will circulation factor into the perceptions of the present spaces, and will the circulation connect the visitor to specific processes previously occurring on site?

· How can the previous site programs be addressed in the present context?

· What are the impediments of the design/thesis proposal?

· How is this design project viable in multiple ways, to multiple groups of individuals?

· What are the zoning implications, and can they benefit the community somehow or be reinterpreted?

· How can the site be functional and affordable for the desired users?

· How can I achieve citywide interest in the site, allowing a community surrounding the site to form; as well as getting people out to the site?

· What other areas of industry could benefit from this design, and a revitalization of the waterfront?

Analysis — Site Context & Histor y

— 9 —Site Context & History · connections · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Historical aerial of Fulton Gas Works between 1852 and the 1870’s.source: image from Earth Tech report on Fulton, 2008

Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part I: Fulton Gas Works

— 10 —Site Histories · connections—Fulton Gas Works · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

The site of the once Fulton GasWorks, now sits derelict, out of use,and thought. The gas works began inthe early 1850’s, working with a coalgas carbonization process to createmanufactured gas, later adopting the water gas process; but never fully converting to solely water gas.

Gas usage rose steadily during Fulton’sbeginning stages. Not long after however, the environment was paying the costs, and the people living in the Fulton neighborhood, became aware of the consequences of having a gas plant in “almost” your backyard.

The noxious odors were hard to ignore,and the harmful waste that made its way into the James and Gillies Creek, was

stripping paint off of the boats moving through and docked there.

Fulton Gas Works went through manytrials and tribulations throughout itshistory in the city of Richmond. For one, repairs needed to be made every few years, however, decisions were not made hastily enough and the gas plant slipped farther and farther into disrepair.

Not only were these issues adding to the nuisance, but a newer process of creating manufactured gas, called the Carburreted Water Gas Process, was not adopted until 1920 at Fulton. This process provided that the gas would reach households, but at the cost of us-ing crude oil, which was a majorcontributor to the contamination.

Some of the most dangerous and contaminated areas on the site include areas where the gas holders sat, where the purifiers were located, and where there was use of coal and coal storage.

The dirty and noxious plant held on however, even in the advent of electricity. The superintendantof the gas works during the time evenmade mention that he felt manufactured gas was the appropriate choice when considering gas or electric. He felt that in many ways, Fulton still held a club above the electric company’s head.”

The site, situated in the one hundred year flood plain, had been overwhelmedby flooding on many occassions. There was flooding in 1886 and 1887;



as well as consecutively in 1935, 36, and 37; and then again 1940. In the 1936flood, the boiler and pump room,which had at the time been situatedon ground level, was flooded and hadto be replaced.

A new boiler room was constructed in 1937, which was elevated 16 feet off of the ground, out of the flood plain. The building itself rose to 72 feet from ground to the top of the roof.

After World War II, advances inmetallurgy, transportation, and thebad reputation the nation’s gas workshad acquired over the years, gaveway for newer forms and uses ofenergy such as natural gas. In 1950,Richmond began the conversion process over to natural gas.

In June of 1972, Hurricane Agnesmade her way to Fulton, and thedamage was irreparable—Fultonwas shut down for good.

top: Fulton bird’s eye view, highlighting the Gas Works site, as well as the Armitage Manufacturing Co. building directly adjacent.source: skyshots.com

bottom: Fulton aerial view.source: Google Earth



left: Richmond City Gas Works (Fulton) 1877source: F.W. Beers Illustrated Atlas of The City of Richmond from 1877 (located at the LVA presently)right: Richmond City Gas Works (Fulton) 1889source: G.W. Baist Atlas of The City of Richmond, Virginia and Vicinity from 1889 (located at the LVA presently)



top: Fulton site plan, 1918source: The City Engineer’s Office (located at the LVA presently); traced from two different maps from 1905 & 1909top right: Fulton boiler room, constructed in 1937source: The Architecture Firm of Carneal, Johnston, and Wright (located at the LVA presently)bottom right: boiler room foundation plan, 1937source: The Architecture Firm of Carneal, Johnston, and Wright (located at the LVA presently)



Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps—left to right (contines on next page) 1886, 1895, 1905, 1924/1925, & 1952source: Sanborn map Co., maps located at: http://sanborn.umi.com/

Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part II: Armitage Manufacturing Co.

— 16 —Site Histories · connections—Armitage Manufacturing Co. · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

The old Armitage ManufacturingCompany building, owned by Chas F. Armitage and family, drew economic ties, (historically), with the Fulton GasWorks directly adjacent. The company specialized as a roofing manufacturer and coal tar distillery.

The company, founded in 1860, by John Armitage, utilized Fulton’s by-product of tar that resulted from the manufactured gas process. Armitage manufactured all different types of roofing materials, especially tarred felts, oils, black varnish, roofing papers and paints, 2 & 3 ply roofing, creosote oils, roofing and building papers, roof paints and coatings, crude carbolic acid, black varnish, pitch, and ammonia.

left: Descriptive circular (1891)top: Ad from Richmond City Directory (1901)bottom: Ad from Richmond City Directory (1885)



top: Approach and exterior context of Armitage buildingbottom: Interior images of Armitage building—left: old and new structure; middle: ground floor; right: third floor



Architectural changes of the building through time; source: diagrams adapted from plans received from P & J Properties, Inc. (Richmond, VA)

Analysis — Site Context & Histor y · Part III: Chimborazo Park (Hill)

— 21 —Site Histories · connections—Chimborazo Park · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Chimborazo Park, overlooking theJames and above the gas works, hasan eclectic and diverse history, whichranges from its use, pre-park, as farmland and grazing fields, to a socialenclave, referenced as a “suburban resort” due to its distinct residential edge, and its location at the time, being outside the city limits. The park was the site of Chimborazo Hospital during the Civil War, and later a weather bureau.

Cobblestone pathways, originallycreated between the 1770’s and1880’s were used to connectChimborazo Hill, at the time, to thefresh blowing breezes of the James,as well as framing the “commandingview” over the city as seen from thetop of the hill.

During the Civil War, the Confederatesoldiers utilized these pathways;and as they connected to Fulton,there are also direct ties from the gasworks below to the park above. Today,these pathways disappear into woodlands before reaching the gas works site.

During the Civil War, the ChimborazoHospital consisted of 150 one story,wood frame structures measuring40 ft. by 150 ft., spaced evenly apartto create healthy ventilation. Thesestructures covered the site, as wellas a large bakery that supplied breadto the Chimborazo Hospital as well as the other 27 war hospitals in Richmond.After the Civil War, the Freedman’sBureau under direction from Lincoln,took over the site, and created schools

for illiterate blacks and freed slaves.Some of the these freed slaves, whohad no where else to go, took shelterin these structures as well.

The weather bureau was erected on the site in1909 and operated until 1959.Today this building is the visitorcenter for the National Battlefield park, also known as Chimborazo Park.

There are direct visual connections from the park to Fulton, as well as the James River, and the physical pathways that used to connect the park to Fulton below have great potential to reconnect the historic district of Church Hill/Oakwood above, to the James River, once again.



top left: Chimborazo aerialbottom left: The park, Broad St. residential edge, and N. 32nd St. residential edgeabove: Pathways connecting to Fulton



left: Visual connections to Armitage Manufacturing building from Chimborazo Park aboveright: Visual connections to Fulton Gas Works from Chimborazo Park above

Analysis — Design Intent

— 24 —Statement of Design Intent · objectives · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Proposal | Program

The intention of the proposed designs are to:(1) Reconnect this site with the rest ofthe city, and re-link the historicalties that have been lost present day.

(2) Create a revitalized waterfront,historic and residential community,re-linking the site and theseconnections to Richmond.

I am proposing a series of new programmatic functions for the remaining structures at the site of Fulton, to include connections between the remnants left on site, as well as creating new programmatic spaces and structures.Landscape connections within

Fulton and connecting to Chimborazo Park above, reiterating the historical ties from Fulton to the park above will alsobe addressed—[re]connecting these two sites. This design will include reinstat-ing the landscape connections that used to lead to Fulton, creating a historical dialogue between the sites and viewer.

The main focus of the design project attempts to connect the Fulton Gas Works structures, on site, and willcombine regenerated form with new programming, influenced by the previous uses of the remainingstructures on site. A cultural artscenter will revitalize these spacesand structures. The proposed programming incudes workshopspaces relating to after school artprograms and visiting artists, artist

residences (transient program) areas for production such as studio spaces and a wood shop, as well as presentation areas for dance. theatre, and other performance spaces; such as for concerts a cafeteria, restaurant, offices, conference spaces, and class-rooms for teaching art, resident artist workshops, and for fostering relationships with university students interested in expressing themselves artistically by offering teaching opportunities or workshops.

The site of the old ArmitageManufacturing Company, is proposed to develop into a mixture of housing and commercial spaces; in an effort to regenerate the now lost neighborhood that once surrounded the gas works. This program would include both renters

and owners, incorporating people with different economic means, and could potentially incorporate students who attend Virginia Commonwealth Univer-sity, and the University of Richmond.

The re-utilization of the old ArmitageManufacturing Co. building, and the re-adaptation of these spaces for a diverseneighborhood composed of live/work and rent/own units combined with other commercial opportunities such as dining, day care, after school facilities, andextended stay rentable space (catering to travellers), has the potential to reclaim the lost neighborhood of Fulton, that once existed.

The methodologies I am using to regenerate these forms, are established through the utilization of previous lines

of site, working from mappings; as well as site overlaps and histories.I am also focusing on historical and ethnographic approaches tosupplement my design research.

Through the extensions of the site over time, and mapping these connections, new form will be derived and incorporated into the site combining landscape, the utilization of the remaining structures on site, and the design of the new programmatic function(s) and connections between these remaining structures.

This thesis is also influenced by the natural topographic characteristics of the site, and proposes to combine these features with the derived connections in an attempt to regenerate the once present gas plant structure.

Analysis — Design Intent

— 25 —Statement of Design Intent · objectives · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Design diagram representing areas on the sites to be programmed

Analysis — Reasoning—Why?

— 26 —Reasoning · potential · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Potential

When I begin to ask why, I find myself actually asking why not ?

There is great potential at the site of the old Fulton Gas Works to revitalize Richmond’s waterfront. Physical and historical connections begin to create a dialogue with Fulton below and Chimborazo Park above.

There is a potential here, to [re]connect Fulton with the park, as well asincorporate the Chimborazo/Oakwood historic district, creating connections to the residential edge surrounding the park, with a regenerated neighborhood at Fulton.

There is overall potential, then, toengage the entire city of Richmond and its visitors, by elucidating the cultural landscape and history of this area—especially the site of the oncefocal and powerful industrial energy source of the city—Fulton Gas Works.

Many cities contain pockets of blight similar to the site at Fulton. There is this sense of overall connection to similar issues (brownfields and superfunds) in other cities; which creates a broad connection to other places.

Fulton, once the source for entire illumination of the city of Richmond, now has the potential in the present, to become once again, a beacon within this urban context.

Fulton Gas Works, while still in operation, July 9, 1958source: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219

Analysis — Reasoning—Why?

— 27 —Reasoning · potential · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

left: Fulton Gas Works —lower right side of aerial, and Fibre Board Container Co., located in old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building—middle of aerial; Chimborazo Park is off to the left of the aerial, behind the Fibre Board Container Co. source: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219right: Fulton Gas Works, Boiler Room, pictured while still in operationsource: Adolph B. Rice Studio & Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219

Analysis — Methodologies · Processes · Products

— 28 —Processes · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Case Study |Gas Works ParkSeattle, WA

Gas Works Park is a case study that I have investigated. Here, issues of the sublime, natural and cultural landscapes, as well as ideas surrounding site remediation, and post-industrial park re-utilization resonate.

What I was interested in exploring through this case study were issues related to the sublime, creating a juxtaposition between the ideal of “park space,” and the post-industrial landscape re-adapted as this park space. I also explored the idea of a post-industrial site regenerated into a social connection and construct..

The park, (1975), designed by Richard Haag, was developed in a way where minimal site transformation occurred. Many of the remaining industrial artifacts of the gas plant were left on site, and remediation processes of the landscape were undertaken, to progressively rid the site of toxins.

I’m interested in how the park(adaptive re-use in nature), questions the use and design of traditional park space, and preservation; and in how the site was able to re-socialize the derelict industrial history that existed there, in a present post-industrial context.

Gas Works Park—top source: swiftcity.combottom source: blog.makezine.com


— 29 —Processes · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Gas Works Park—top: aerial image; source: publicpress.orgright top source: travel.webshots.comright bottom source: seattle.savvysource.com


— 30 —Processes & Influences · precedence & case studies · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Case Study | Landschaftspark; Duisburg-Nord, Germany

Similar to Gas Works Park, Seattle; Duisburg-Nord re-utilizes an industrial landscape in a post-industrial context; but does so in a difference sense.

The park, completed in 2002, has an industrial history of an old steel mill factory. Peter Latz + Partners, who designed the park, utilized as much of the existing site as possible, preserving and incorporating different areas of activation and program within the site.

The plan was devised by working off of the initial sewer and railways systems, and the paths they had previously woven into the site. Working from Post-modern ideals, memory plays a critical role in

the design of the park, as such paths were designed to tell a story, a narrative about the spaces, and the artifacts left behind (those of the industrial steel mill).

What interests me about this site, are the ways in which the different sections of the park create a dialogue with the viewer, framing certain historical pasts and narratives.

Program incorporated at the landscape park include, bunkers that create spacesfor private gardens, old gas tanks that are being utilized as scuba pools, original concrete walls are being utilized as rock climbing spaces, and the main office of the steel mill has been turned into a piazza space, allowing for many events to be held within the park.

top: Duisburg-Nord master planbottom: programmatic features of site—rock-climbingsource: (book) “International Building Exhibition Emscher Park



left: Duisburg-Nord—remnants of steel plant—blast furnacesright: Duisburg-Nord—aerial view of park and extentssource: (book) “International Building Exhibition Emscher Park


Case Study | Inner-City ArtsLos Angeles, CA

The mission of Inner-City Arts (ICA) is to use art education to positively affect the lives of inner-city children, improving their chances to lead constructive and successful lives by developing creativity, improving learning skills and building self-confidence.4

ICA is located in Skid Row, east of downtown Los Angeles, and provides art education for close to 8,000elementary and middle school students annually, from more than 50 public schools located for the most part, around downtown LA.

What I thought wa sparticularly strong aobut ICA, was it’s positioning within the rban context, and it’s relationship to

the city, as abeacon for not just the arts, but for learning, and for creating a type of neighborhood, one in which it draws from many areas of the city and beyond.

ICA provides after-school and weekend arts programs to teachers, high schools dtudents, and social service agencies within the city. They also incorporate teaching traning programs.

ICA works mostly with children who are from minority backgrounds, and usually are either immigrants, come form low-income families, or are a combination of both.

I’m interested in creating a similar opportunity at Fulton, where the site of the old Armitage building and the Gas Works create a new neighborhood form, connecting to the city and the

past, in the hopes to re-connect the site as a focal point of the city of Richmond.


Inner-City Artssource: (book) “The gift of imagination”



Inner-City Artssource: (book) “The gift of imagination”


Case Study | Re-Purposed Gas Holders— Vienna, Austria

The historic gas holders in Vienna, have been re-purposed for uses such as hous-ing, commercial/retail spaces, and business/office spaces.


Vienna’s re-purposed gas holders; middle (historical photographs of Vienna’s gas holders)source: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/



Vienna’s re-purposed gas holderssource: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/


— 36 —Products · future projections & potentialities · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Initial diagrams of Fulton site changes through time,and expansion. From left to right, 1877, (adapted from F.W. Beers map); 1905, (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map); 1924/25 (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map); and 1952 (adapted from Sanborn Fire Insurance Map).



Map of inputs to site. This map represents a coal supply, aided by the Richmond and Danville Railroad system. Seen here, are the external coal sources, that aided Fulton in its need for coal to produce manufactured gas (adapted from Richmond and Danville 1881 Railroad map).



Through mapping techniques Iworked with previous and present siteplans which influenced my formaldesign process.

I worked with mapping as amethodology and tool to understand the present and previous site connections between structuresremaining on site presently andstructures that had historically been located on site.

The objective of working in thismanner, was to locate and recognizethese site connections, and to beginto explicate new form through suchconnections.

I was interested in the intersectionsand “cuts” created by the extensions

of the site, and would like to furtherexplore how they can begin totranslate into more formal designspertaining to landscape, paths, thecreation of programmatic spaces,and circulation within, through, andconnecting spaces and structureson site.

These mappings represent the structures that remain on site, and their intersections on site. Each specific element is highlighted, as well as the connection of their extensions on the site—creating new pathways intersecting the exterior spaces and proposing to create both new interior and exteriorspaces/paths.



In the map to the left, I took a 1952 Sanborn map and superimposed the Fulton site structures with the remaining structures on site; as the beginning step in my mapping process. This allowed me to map connections, changes, and proposed connections between what historically existed on site and what remains presently. The mapping above, highlights the Fulton Gas Work’s previous structures dating from 1952 in gray, and outlines the remaining structures on site. The red paths are circulation mapped from previouscirculation on site. Blue denotes the previous railway line cutting through the site.



The left mapping highlights intersections between circulation paths, previous structures on thesite in blue, and extensions of structures presently on the site in relation to the historical structures.The middle mapping highlights (in blue) where previous structures connect to the present site, and the cut circulation within. The mapping on the far right, is an analysis the space and form created from these intersections (denoted by the blue filled areas).



These mappings are hybrid diagrams created from the series of 7 earliermappings which highlighted each specific remaining structure on site, and theirconnections to the rest of the site. These mappings were a transitional stepbetween the initial 2-dimensional mappings and the 3-dimensional renderingson the following page; representing new form generated from these connections.



These mappings are focusing onworking with the natural topographic features of the site; as well as incorporatingprevious mappings in orderto generate new form.



The proposed program for the site,includes three levels in the old gasholder—a theater, restaurant, and gallery space; in the old boiler house is proposed artist/creative workshops and conferences; in the old engine house is proposed production space; and the old coal shed and purifiers are proposed artist residences, studio spaces, and classrooms.



This sketched section, shows an idea for the translation of the circulation spaces through the structures,creating elevated “pass through” areas connecting previous structures on site. This sketchalso proposing working within the constraints of the hundred year flood plain by elevating these connections in certain areas, especially when moving from one structure to the next. There is great potential at the Fulton site to elevate circulation pathways—relating to previous site histories of the railroad connections that cut through the site.



These maps highlight the public elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and vocational schools in the city of Richmond. The hope is that connections can be made with these places, inorder to reconnect the Fulton site to the city. These schools create a network, which highlights possiblenodes within the city; just as Fulton connected through gas mains and infrastructure to the entire city at one time, and served as the illumination of Richmond. source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/



Close up of Fulton area, with schools nearby.source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/



Armitage Manufacturing Co. plans



Armitage Manufacturing Co. proposed new program

Research Conclusions—

I have found Fulton Gas Worksto have the potential to hold aprominent role within the city ofRichmond, as well as regeneratingstrong community ties within theFulton neighborhood.

Through the process of mapping,I have been able to reconnect spaceswithin the site, as well as seeprogrammatic connections betweennewly proposed programmaticfunction and the previous programon the site. This aids in a betterunderstanding for continuing theproject in the Spring design studio,allowing me to expand upon theseconnections through the proposedprogram and built form.

I plan to use these mappings togenerate new form that can bedesigned within the existing spaces, and to incorporate them into the typographic characteristics of the site.

Concluding Questions— Issues:

·How can Fulton regenerate theneighborhood that was lost?·How can the reactivation of thespaces reconnect to the previoushistory of the site?·How can the production process(working with a series of inputsand outputs once occurring onsite), become relatable whennewly proposed programmaticfunctions are initiated?

·How does the new programrelate to the program previouslyoccurring within the structures on site?

Commentary—

·Create a representation of how one would get people to the site (school children, artists, teachers, community/city of Richmond).·Clarify the series of systems that will be employed to revitalize the site(s)·Clarify how the site will begin to nar-rate the everyday nature of what the site was and will be.·Clarify how the site will narrate to the first time viewer—and how connections can be made visually to gain the interest of the everyday user—why will they want to come here?

Conclusions — Project & Design Summar y

— 50 —Summary · concluding statements & questions · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

In the Spring design studio (Fulton Gas Works Studio) headed by Maurice Cox, I intend to regenerate the form of the Fulton Gas Works site and the old Armitage Manufacturing Co. building, through diagrams, models (both physical and computer rendered—conceptual and formal), and drawings—with multiple iterations of all conceptual and formal design work mentioned.

I plan to also physically reconnect through the same products, connections to Chimborazo Park above, and then relate the design to the James River, connecting and revitalizing the Rich-mond waterfront.

I plan to create a representation of how one would get people to the site (school children, artists, teachers, community/

city of Richmond), and clarify the systems that will be employed to revitalize and regenerate the site(s).

I hope to clarify to multiple audiences, how the site will begin to narrate the everyday nature of what the gas works constituted historically, and also what it means and what its context will be in the city presently.

Through combining my previous site studies, generating new site studies and connections, and through the pro-cess of connecting the topographic characteristics of the site, my objective is to narrate both to the first time viewer, as well as the viewer who holds a more constant presence at the site.

I would also like to focus on how more specifically and precisely the connections between the systems presently proposed for the site, and the previous site systems, have the ability to translate past site histories, as well as create connections within the site presently.

I would also like to focus on clarify-ing how I will revitalize this area of the city, through built form (as well as other products), throughout the spring studio.

Conclusions — Spring 2011 Project Proposal & Description

— 51 —Spring 2011 Proposal · projections · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Conclusions — Spring 2011 Preliminar y Design Schedule

— 52 —Spring 2011 Schedule · preliminary design & research schedule · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Winter Break— work with site topography, experi-menting with site forms derived from mappings; relationships to the site; clarifications from commentary

Week one, Jan. 18, 2011:begin studio, collaboration with others with available resources, begin conceptual models, continuation of research

Week two, Jan. 24, 2011:continuation of research, go visit site again, more conceptual models

Week three, Jan. 31, 2011:analysis of approach, redirections? Conduct more research, design proposal(s) revised

Week four, Feb. 7, 2011:start working more formally on program within sites and buildings

Week five, Feb. 14, 2011:rewrite research/thesis proposal, incorporating new findings to date

Week six, Feb. 21, 2011:relate project back to broader systems, re-evaluate—make sure that design is incorporating past and present site

Week seven, Feb. 28, 2011:work on program, and site design(s)

Week eight, Mar. 7, 2011:work on program and site design(s)

Week nine, Mar. 14, 2011:work on program and site design(s)

Week ten, Mar. 21, 2011:re-evaluation, proceed with development of research and design products

Week eleven, Mar. 28, 2011:development of research and design

Week twelve, Apr. 4, 2011:development of design and products

Week thirteen, Apr. 11, 2011:development of desing and products

Week fourteen, Apr. 18, 2011:final production phases

Week fifteen, Apr. 25, 2011:final production phases

Week sixteen, May 2, 2011:final thesis presentations

community; sensorial; layers; dialogue; narrative; character; disparity;

scale; activate; [re]activation; cultural landscape; synesthesia; focal;

node, void; ; regeneration; palimpsest; ethnography; collective memory;

coalesce; superimposition; temporality; derelict; experience

Lexicons — Terminology

— 53 —Lexicons · terminology & topical influences · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

narrative:Oxford Dictionaries: (nar·ra·tive)a spoken or written account of con-nected events; a story: from late Latin narrativus ‘telling a story’

Within my project, I propose that the narrative is derived from methodolo-gies such as ethnography, research of the history and meaning of place, and a woven story of facts and occurrences through time. I see this as both a written story, but then as a design story, where the physical world can also tell a story pertaining to changes through time through combining forms, mapping, and diagrams.

cultural landscape:Oxford Dictionaries: (cul·tu·al land·scape)

a distinct geographical area orproperty uniquely “...representing the combined work of nature and of man...”

My references to a culturallandscape pertain to the deeply embed-ded social narratives and histories of a site, that me be peeled back in layers in order to reveal a narrative and a dia-logue between the place and the viewer.

experience:Oxford Dictionaries: (ex·pe·ri·ence)practical contact with and observation of facts or events; an event or occur-rence that leaves an impression on someone; encounter or undergo (an event or occurrence); feel (an emotion) — from Latin experientia, from experiri ‘try’

Experience can be on a rather personal level in a lot of cases, but often times knowingly or unknowingly, people have collective experiences. I’m interested in this idea of experience in the personal realm then being taken and shared so that it becomes more of a collective ex-perience, where the experience creates another experience.

coalesce:Oxford Dictionaries: (co·a·lesce)come together and form one mass or whole — mid 16th century (in the sense ‘bring together, unite’): from Latin coalescere, from co- (from cum ‘with’) + alescere ‘grow up’ (from alere ‘nourish’)

I see this as something that can be con-cerned with words and syntax, but also with physical form and overlaps within





these forms. It is also this idea within a project, that this is the point where all of the ideas swirling around come together, at a specific point. This coalescence then becomes a foci of the project.

ethnography:Oxford Dictionaries: (eth·nog·ra·phy)the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and culturesEthnography most directly relates to Clifford Geertz’s explanation of “Thick Description” of people and place, as a methodology for weaving or telling a story, a rich narrative of a place so that others who are not involved, but looking in from the outside can under-stand what is happening. It also refers to the study of culture, and being in and amongst (close observation) of a group of people, culture, and a society. I also

extend this into the “historicalethnography” realm.

regenerative:Oxford Dictionaries: (re·gen·er·ate)bring into renewed existence; generate again — from Latin regeneratus ‘created again’

In my work, I’m referring to creating some thing new that grows from the past, from previous structure, land, etc.; so that the generation of new form represents its conception.

Bibliography — Resources & Works Cited

— 56 —Bibliography · citations · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Resources (text)—

Benson, J. F., & Roe, M. H. (2000). Urban lifestyles : spaces, places, people : proceedings of an International Conference on Cities in the New Millenium, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 14-16 September 2000. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema. Casella, E. Conlin, & Croucher, S. K. (2010). The Alderley Sandhills project : an archaeology of community life in (post)-industrial England. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Conway, Hazel. (2000). Everyday Landscapes: Public Parks from 1930 to 2000. Garden History, Vol. 28, No. 1, 117-134. Hayden, D. (19971995). The power of place : urban landscapes as public history. First MIT Press paperback ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Hayden, Dolores. (1983). Site: The Meaning of Place in Art and Architecture. Design Quarterly, No. 122, 18-20. Kirkwood, N. (2001). Manufactured sites : rethinking the post-industrial landscape. London: Spon Press. Schilling, J. M. Kollatz, Harry Jr. (2004, May). Dreaming of Green: Where a village was destroyed, a planned community may rise in brownfields. Retrieved from: http://www.richmondmagazine.com/?articleID=57df13799d7c430d0cb5d10efdcdac09 Levenstein, Steve. (2010, July 4). Life’s A Gas: Vienna’s Recycled, Repurposed Gasometers. Retrieved from: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/ Levin, A. K. (2007). Defining memory : local museums and the construction of history in America’s changing communities. Lanham: AltaMira Press. Longstreth, R. W. (2008). Cultural landscapes : balancing nature and heritage in preservation practice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Marshall, R. (2001). Waterfronts in post industrial cities. New York: Spon Press. Merriam, D., & Finn, d. 1921-. (1999). The gift of imagination : the story of Inner-City Arts. Lanham: Madison Books.



Roberts, P. W, & Sykes, H. (2000). Urban regeneration : a handbook. London: SAGE. Rosenberg, Elissa. (1996). Public Works and Public Space: Rethinking the Urban Park. Journal of Architectural Education (1984-), Vol. 50, No. 2 (Nov., 1996), pp. 89-103. Rossi, A., & Eisenman, P. (1982). The architecture of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Saunders, W. S, Condon, P. M, Hilderbrand, G. R, & Meyer, E. K. (1998). Richard Haag : Bloedel Reserve and Gas Works Park. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, with the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Schilling, J. M. (1998). International experiences in brownfields integration and collaboration ‘98 : local government case studies. [Washington, D.C.]: ICMA . Schultz, J. (1990). Richmond : a river city reborn : a contemporary portrait. Chatsworth, Calif.: Windsor Publications. Simons, R. A. (1998). Turning brownfields into greenbacks : developing and financing environmentally contaminated urban real estate. Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute. Thiel, P. (1997). People, paths, and purposes : notations for a participatory envirotecture. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Uttke, A. (2008). International Building Exhibition Emscher Park : the projects 10 years later. Essen: Klartext . wWylie, J. (2007). Landscape. London: Routledge.(1900). Richmond, The Pride of Virginia: An Historical City. Philadelphia: Progress Publishing Company.

Resources (images)—

The burning of Richmond in 1865—source: CivilWar.netGas lamp street lighting—source: (book)—”The Story of the Gas Works” by George WhitfieldHistoric aerial of Fulton Gas Works—source: image from Earth Tech report on Fulton, 2008



Gas Works Park Seattle 1—source: swiftcity.comGas Works Park Seattle 2—source: publicpress.orgGas Works Park Seattle 3—source: tylerwestcott.comGas Works Park Seattle 4—source: blog.makezine.comGas Works Park Seattle 5—source: travel.webshots.comGas Works Park Seattle 6—source: seattle.savvysource.comFulton Gas Works; Title: Fulton Gas Works; Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: 1956 Dec. 11; Identifier: Rice Collection 1305BRepository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/RFulton Gas Works; Title: Fulton Gas Works; Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: 1958 July 9; Identifier: Rice Collection 1910BRepository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/RFibre Board Container Corp.; Title: Fibre Board Container Corp., Creator: Adolph B. Rice Studio; Date: April 15, 1955Identifier: Rice Collection 606A, Format: 1 negative, safety film, 4 x 5 in.Repository: Library of Virginia, Prints and Photographs, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219, USA, digitool1.lva.libvaus:8881/RArmitage Manufacturing Co., newspaper adds—source: The Richmond Times, March 1901 (top image), and Oct. 1903, (bottom image)Inner-City Arts images—www.brunerfoundation.org/rba/pdfs/2009/inner_city_arts.pdfRe-purposed gas holders in Vienna—source: Levenstein, Steve. (2010, July 4). Life’s A Gas: Vienna’s Recycled, Repurposed Gasometers. Retrieved from: http://weburbanist.com/2010/07/04/lifes-a-gas-viennas-recycled-repurposed-gasometers/Richmond public schools (all schools)—source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/Richmond public schools (elementary schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/Richmond public schools (vocational schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/



Richmond public schools (highschools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/Richmond public schools (middle schools)—source: source: http://newweb.richmond.k12.va.us/maps/Duisburg-Nord images; source:

Cited Sources—

1 Rossi, A., & Eisenman, P. (1982). The architecture of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.2 Schultz, J. (1990). Richmond : a river city reborn : a contemporary portrait. Chatsworth, Calif.: Windsor Publications.3 (1900). Richmond, The Pride of Virginia: An Historical City. Philadelphia: Progress Publishing Company.4 Merriam, D., & Finn, d. 1921-. (1999). The gift of imagination : the story of Inner-City Arts. Lanham: Madison Books.

Primary faculty adviser:

Daniel Bluestone

Abby Marie Chryst

Conclusions — Spring 2011 · Adviser Approval

— 60 —Spring 2011 Schedule · adviser approval · Abby Marie Chryst · Fulton Gas Works · Richmond, Va.

Fulton Gas Works Thesis—UVA

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