ANSH VAKIL LEARNING PORTFOLIO

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO III CCSF SPRING 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXAMINING FILM 2. INTRODUCTION 3. ICE BREAKER

PHOTO MONTAGE 4. AREA ANALYSIS (WEST PORTAL AVENUE)

ITERATION ONE 5. AREA ANALYSIS (WEST PORTAL AVENUE)

ITERATION TWO 6. AREA ANALYSIS (WEST PORTAL AVENUE)

ITERATION THREE 7. AREA ANALYSIS (WEST PORTAL AVENUE)

ITERATION FOUR 8. UTOPIAN DISTRICT

ITERATION ONE 9. UTOPIAN DISTRICT

ITERATION TWO 10.MISSION BAY SURVEY 11.FIELD TRIP (UCSF MISSION BAY CAMPUS) 12.MISSION BAY DISTRICT PROPOSALS 13.MIDTERM LEARNING OUTCOME 14.SITE ANALYSIS

ITERATION ONE 15.SITE MODEL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

16.PROGRAM ANALYSIS ITERATION ONE ITERATION TWO

17. DESIGN INITIATIVE (UCHRONIAN GARDENS) ITERATION ONE ITERATION TWO ITERATION THREE ITERATION FOUR ITERATION FIVE ITERATION SIX ITERATION SEVEN

18. FINAL THOUGHTS

EXAMINING FILM:

CITY OF LOST CHILDREN REPITITION ZOOM IN/OUT SCENE CHANGE MOVEMENT TRACKING CLOSE UP ENTIRE SCENE COLOR TONES CLOSE UP LIGHTING CHANGE VARIATION IN THEMES POINT OF VIEW DISTORTION SYMBOLS/ICONS CHANGE IN FOCUS UNRAVEL

TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE BLACK AND WHITE REPITITION MOVEMENT CO-ORDINATION DISTINCTION IN SOCIAL CLASS COLOR/MONOTONE SHADOW INFLUENCED FOCUS ZOOM IN/OUT BACKGROUND FRAMED VIEW HUMAN SCALE AND RELATION REALITY/ANIMATION TENSION/EASE PAUSE CONTRAST LANGUAGE

INTRODUCTION Architecture is a mulT-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public

spaces. Architecture capitalizes on a local communitys asset, inspiraTon and potenTal, ulTmately creaTng good public spaces that promote peoples health, happiness and well being. Architecture is a term that began to be used by architects and planners to describe the process of creaTng buildings, plazas, parks, streets, and waterfronts that will abract people because they are pleasurable or interesTng.

Architecture and memory exist analogically in an essenTal, yet largely provisional relaTonship, which is given meaning by a producTve pracTce of making, doing, living, and being, and is undertaken by both designer and user as they engage their individual memories and experiences. And memory, as an element component in our connecTon to the world, will always be important to the ways in which we nd meaning in the buildings and spaces we interact with. To make meaning in architecture is to begin a creaTve pracTce which organizes past experiences, present acTons, and future desires into signicance at any given moment.

ICE BREAKER

PHOTO MONTAGE AS A CONSTRUCTED NARRATIVE

ICE BREAKER Today, San Francisco is one of the top tourist desTnaTons in the world, and is renowned for

its cool summers, fog, steep rolling hills, and eclecTc mix of architecture. It is also a primary banking and nance center on the west coast of the United States.

In between all this I, a lone individual in the citys 46.9 square mile area, am maintaining an ever changing relaTonship with it. There exists a friendly and welcoming relaTonship between the city and myself with the excepTon of certain areas.

On narrowing down to the smaller picture, I have established what denes the grind in our life. It is managing Tme between work, school and our social life. It is the journey through space that we travel to get to our nal desTnaTon that inuences our everyday life.

I approached this project by taking the bigger picture of looking at the formal relaTonship I share with the city and then narrowing it down to my everyday life, juggling between my work, school, and social being.

The lei side shows the quiet, reserved, and peaceful life of a residenTal area. Characterized by its monotonous building structures, the occasional cafes and restaurants, and the lightly populated streets this area represents my immediate environment. I pass through it to get to school and on my way to work. Its essence is its subtle environment. Whereas, the right side shows the bustling, aggressive, dynamic, and rapid environment of a commercial area. Characterized by its unique building structures, plenTful cafes and restaurants, and highly populated streets, this area represents my adopted environment. I use this space to maintain a social life. Its essence is in its social strata ranging from restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges to retail stores, commercial establishments, and bakeries to its public transportaTon system.

The part of the picture that has an impact on me is the part that projects out of the surface.

AREA ANALYSIS (WEST PORTAL AVENUE)

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ANSH VAKIL ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO

ITERATION ONE The area I chose to analyze is West Portal Avenue. West Portal is an area with a good mix of

social and commercial life as well as business establishments alongside family homes. West Portal staTon is located in the North end of the street and plays the role of a major

transportaTon hub. All the muni lines come together at one point along with various buses.

Pathways: Its pathways are narrow and shaded. It has numerous side streets that make it easily accessible. One can walk, drive, bike or take public transportaTon on West Portal Avenue.

Edges: West Portal Avenue is home to jagged and non-linear edges. Some structures share a common wall while others are separated by dark, narrow alleys. It separates private establishments from public space.

Nodes: There are numbered courtyards and public socializing places, breaks in the sidewalk leading into establishments, parking lots, crosswalks, and parallel streets.

Landmark: West Portal StaTon and CineArt at the Empire Theatre. All these elements come together to form a district that is familiar to the person

experiencing the space.

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ANSH VAKIL ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO III

ITERATION TWO The area I chose to analyze was West Portal Avenue. Its an area with a mix of social,

residenTal and commercial establishments. Pathways: The paths are narrow and alternaTng between shaded and open areas. There are

autumn tree covers at intervals that give shade from the sun. The pavement is made of concrete, whereas, the road is made of asphalt. The edges of buildings

area angled with respect to the pathways. North-South moTon of trac along 2 lanes each 70 wide. Mainly two storied buildings with at roofs. There are 7 wide sidewalks.

Edges: The edges of buildings are jagged and non-linear as you move along the pathways. The

sidewalks are long and straight with breaks for a side street. West Portal Avenue is a 25mph speed zone, it has a biker lane, muni tracks and is bounded by various establishments.

Nodes: ChaoTc, perpendicular paths, major juncTons at the West Portal Muni StaTon. The

West Portal staTon is located in the North end of the street and plays the role of a major transportaTon hub. All the muni lines converge at this point. There is a movie

theatre, diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. Landmark: West Portal Muni StaTon, Cinemark movie Theatre, Waldorf High School.

THE PATHWAYS ALTERNATE BETWEEN SHADED AND LIT AREAS

THE PATHWAYS ARE CONFINED TO SIDEWALKS AND ENTRANCES TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

ESTABLISHMENTS

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THE SIDEWALK IS MADE OF CONCRETE WHEREAS THE STREET IS MADE OF ASPHALT. THERE IS NORTH-SOUTH MOVEMENT OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ALONG FOUR LANES, EACH 12 WIDE.

SOUTH END (RESIDENTIAL)

ANSH VAKIL

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO III AN

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RETAIL STORES, RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, AND GROCERY STORES CREATE AN ACTIVE AND LIVELY ENVIRONMENT.

WEST PORTAL STATION IS A MAJOR TRANSPORTATION HUB

NORTH END (COMMERCIAL)

LACK OF PLACES TO SIT

INCONSISTANT LOCATION OF TRANSIT

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SLIM DIVIDER

WEST PORTAL IS STRAIGHT AND LINEAR. IT LEADS TO HIGHWAY 1 AND I-280 SOUTH. IT IS ACCESSIBLE BY ALL MODES OF TRANSPORT. HIGH

LEVELS OF ACTIVITY BETWEEN 4:00 PM 10:00 PM

ITERATION THREE The pathways at West Portal Avenue alternate between shaded and lit areas. The paths are

mainly conned to sidewalks and entrances to public and private establishments. There are tree covers that shade an area from the sunlight. The pathways are uneven and broken at certain points; they lack uniformity.

The sidewalk is made of concrete, whereas the streets are made of asphalt. There is North- South movement of vehicular trac along 4 lanes each 12 wide. Pedestrians, private cars, public Buses, taxis, and muni trains are the main users.

There are a series of retail stores, bouTques, restaurants, coee shops and grocery stores that create an acTve and lively environment. During the day it is occupied by shoppers, employees, clients and the occasional student. It has a major transportaTon hub, i.e. West Portal StaTon that makes it accessible from the Sunset District, Ingleside, and Downtown San Francisco.

The South End of the street is all residenTal, whereas the North End is populated by the commercial establishments.

West Portal Avenue is located on the southern limit of San Francisco. The street is straight and linear. It leads to Highway 1 and Interstate-280. It is easily

accessible by all modes of transport. There is high volume of pedestrian acTvity from 4:00pm 10:00 pm. Establishments close down by 11:00pm, aierwhich the area is relaTvely empty.

The space fails because there is a lack of places to sit, lack of gathering points and inconsistently located transit stops. There are occasional areas where there is a slim divider that makes that secTon dominated by vehicles.

LIGHT: THE PATHWAYS OF WEST PORTAL ALTERNATE BETWEEN SHADED AND LIT AREAS. THE PATHS ARE MAINLY CONFINED TO SIDEWALKS AND ENTRANCES TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE ARE TREE COVERS THAT SHADE THE AREA FROM SUNLIGHT. THE WESTERN SIDEWALK GETS SUNLIGHT DURING THE MORNING WHEREAS THE EASTERN SIDEWALK GETS LIGHT DURING THE AFTERNOON. THE RATIO OF BUILDING HEIGHT RELATIVE TO THE WIDTH OF THE SIDEWALK PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN INFLUENCING THE SPATIAL EXPERIENCE AND A PERSONS CHOICE OF USING THAT SPACE. WEST PORTAL HAS A SHADED AND COMFROTING VIBE THAT MAKES IT PLEASANT TO WALK THROUGH, WHILE OTHER AREAS ARE HIGHLIGHTED BY SUNLIGHT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED OTHERWISE. THE BRIGHTNESS AND RESPONSE THAT LIGHT HAS ON THE MATERIAL USED ON THE BUILDINGS REFLECT A PLACE OF FUN, EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM. THE EFFECT OF SUNLIGHT ON SOLID MATERIALS REBOUNDS THE AESTHETIC VALUE OF THE AREA, WHICH MAKES IT PLEASANT TO THE EYES OF THE OBSERVER.

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WEST PORTAL AVENUE (10 AM) WEST PORTAL AVENUE (12 PM) WEST PORTAL AVENUE (2 PM) WEST PORTAL AVENUE (4 PM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (10 AM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (12 PM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (2 PM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (4 PM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (6 PM)

TRAFFIC MOTION (8 PM)

EXCERPTED FROM hbp://maps.google.com/ STREET DIMENSIONS

SOCIAL LIFE: THERE ARE A SERIES OF RETAIL STORES, RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS AND GROCERY STORES THAT CREATE AND ACTIVE AND LIVELY ENVIRONMENT. DURING THE DAY SHOPPERS, EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS, AND THE OCCASSIONAL STUDENTS OCCUPY THE AREA. THE SOUTH-END OF THE STREETS IS ALL RESIDENTIAL WHEREAS THE NORTH-END IS COMMERCIAL. RUSH HOUR IS BETWEEN 10 AM 12:00 PM AND 6:00 PM 7:00 PM.

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ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO III

NORTH END (COMMERCIAL) SOUTH END (RESIDENTIAL)

WEST PORTAL AVENUE TRANSIT

EXCERPTED FROM hbp://maps.google.com/

WEST PORTAL AVENUE AND ULLOA STREET

JUNCTION

WEST PORTAL STATION (WEST)

WEST PORTAL STATION (EAST)

SUCCESSES: WEST PORTAL IS A TRANSPORTATION HUB, i.e. WEST PORTAL MUNI STATION. IT IS A MAJOR JUNCTION WHERE SEVERAL MUNI LINES COME TOGETHER. IT INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY. IT LEADS TO I 280 SOUTH AND HWY 1 IT IS EASILY ACCESSBILE BY ALL MODES OF TRANSPORT. THE PLACE HAS DEFINED ENTRANCES AND VISIBLY ACCESSIBLE PLACES. FAILURES: LACK OF PLACES TO SIT LACK OF GATHERING POINTS INCONSISTENTLY LOCATED TRANSIT STOPS SLIM DIVIDER THAT RESULTS IN DOMINATION BY VEHICLES

LACK OF PLACES TO SIT SLIM DIVIDER

ITERATION FOUR Comparing the eects of light, showing the contrast in social life and bringing out the

dierences between the success and failures I tried to prove the vitality of West Portal Avenue in the city of San Francisco. Light: The spaTal experience at West Portal Avenue is greatly inuenced by sunlight and the

pathways that alternate between shaded and lit areas due to the presence of tree cover. The response of light on open space and building material reects an area of fun, excitement, and enthusiasm. The buildings are colorful rather than covered with monotonous and dull glass. Sunlight on the solid concrete surface rebounds the areas aestheTc value which is pleasing to the eye.

Social Life: The North-End is commercial, whereas, the South-End is residenTal. North-End has restaurants, coee shops, retail stores, etc. that create an acTve and lively area. South-End has homes that create a family oriented environment. North-End has alleys leading to bars and pubs entrance, hidden retail stores, and small coee shops. South-End alleys lead to peoples private backyard.

Success: 1. TransportaTon Hub 2. Leads to I-280 and Highway 1 3. Dened entrances and visibly accessible places

Failures: 1. Lack of places to sit 2. Lack gathering spots 3. Slim divider 4. Inconsistently located transit stops

UTOPIAN DISTRICT

EASE OF ACCESSIBILITY: Accessibility into a district plays a key role in its vitality. The main street connects the district to neighboring ciTes and areas. It is accessible by all modes of transport; such as, cars, busses, and trains. The district is bicycle and pedestrian friendly with disTnct bike lanes, sidewalks, skywalks, and dened pathways. The district is equipped with Bart staTons, muni-staTons, bus stops, and bridges that make it reachable from a distant area. Making it easily accessible increases social interacTon among people and mediates an acTve relaTonship between the user and the district.

BART STATION AND BUS STOP

PARKING LOT GARAGE BRIDGE UNDERPASS

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RESTAURANTS CAFES, BARS & NIGHTCLUBS

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MULTIPURPOSE ECONOMY: Through my study of the establishments in West Portal Avenue, I have calculated that to make an area socially acTve it must have 60% retail stores, 30% cafes, bars and nightclubs, 9% restaurants and 1% grocery stores. Among them, 70% are local businesses and 30% are large-scale corporaTons. The district promotes local business and promotes community based economy.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO III DEFENSIVE SPACE: This district has a residenTal area to the south-end, away from the bustling life. This area is constructed with the communitys involvement in mind. The residenTal community takes care of the maintenance and potenTal developments. It is community oriented and promotes family development. Having a community sustaining area makes it non-vulnerable to government withdrawal of support. Since its vitality depends on the users involvement; it has the ability to bring people of dierent racial backgrounds and nancial standings closer together. There are 2 Housing Forms: 1) Single-Family Houses 2) Two-Storied Condominiums Every family has their personal property without a common wall or fence to the neighboring property, which gives them a feeling of ownership and abachment.

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POLE MAZE PARK PLAY AREA

ACTIVE COMMUNITY SPACE: This district caters to the community that is larger than the family but smaller than the city. The community space is usually achieved through a communicaTon with the founded space. It is in this that an acTve community transpires. I intended on creaTng an acTve community space so as to promote social interacTon and outdoor acTviTes. With the help of parks, play areas and public abracTons this district gives the users a reason to come out and enjoy their new found space. This would lead to a feeling of togetherness, personal abachment, and a thriving space for foreign users. In all, adding to the districts vitality.

ITERATION ONE (REFLECTIONS)

SUCCESSES: SupporTng claims were clearly visible and explained in detail as to how it brings out the districts vitality. Graphic representaTon matched verbal presentaTon. Looking at major transportaTon medians and accessibility opTons proved to be a strong approach in addressing the realm of reality in this project. Having a self-sustaining economy would prove to be a protable move towards the districts well-being. Having four major secTons (Financial, Commercial, Public, and ResidenTal) divided dierenTated by color provides a clear understanding of my strategy of having an organized and systemaTc district.

FAILURES: Lacks clarity in message and vision statement. Due to the absence of a color legend the viewer is unable to visibly create a connecTon between my intent and what is shown. Use of similar colors to represent the Public and ResidenTal secTon was oien misconstrued as being one and the same. The project requires more evidence in support of the vision statement: AcTve and MulT serving District. Provide sequenTal illustraTons showing how each conclusion denes a journey.

Through further detailed study and analysis of the mulTpurpose establishments in West Portal Avenue, I can conrm that for an area to be socially acTve it must have: 60% retail stores, 10% bars, 10% nightclubs, 5% cafs, 14% restaurants, and an opTonal 1% grocery stores. Among these establishments, my utopian district enforces, 70% to be local businesses and 30% internaTonal corporaTons. This diverse use of space with regulated businesses would increase foot trac, improve the community economy, and promote local businesses. This districts ease of accessibility coupled with its many services adds to its vitality and overall community development.

UTOPIAN DISTRICT: AN ACTIVE AND MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

GARDRENS, PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

ACTIVE SOCIAL DISTRICT

MULTI-PURPOSE:

RETAIL STORES, BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

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POLE MAZE

OPEN COMMUNITY SPACE

TRANQUIL SPACE

PLAY AREA

ACTIVE: This district caters to the community. It builds for the community and re-invests in it. This process of using and planTng gives rise to a self-sustaining economy. With the help of parks, gardens, playgrounds, public abracTons, and an open gathering space I intended on creaTng an acTve community space. In order to promote social interacTon and outdoor acTviTes that would benet the local economy, having an acTve community space would be vital. This district stands out from its neighborhood because of its feeling of togetherness, personal abachment with each local, and its bustling personality to foreign users. Having a mulTpurpose community complements an acTve district. Each exist in co-dependence with one another.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

ACTIVE SOCIAL DISTRICT

TRANQUIL DISTRICT

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

ITERATION TWO (REFLECTIONS)

SUCCESSES: Clear visibility of intent and main vision statement. Direct and credible supporTng claims This iteraTon was an improved reproducTon of the previous iteraTon. I corrected the failures and claried my intent. Strong visual and graphic representaTon. A district with a high density of mixed uses provides a new dimension to the outlook of this districts vitality.

FAILURES: Show pedestrian ow, vehicular acTvity, and stores and service staTsTcs that would create an acTve neighborhood. Use a neighborhood in the city of San Francisco as a base model for this research. Provide related diagrams, matrix and charts in support of your conclusions. Similarity in colors, although less in this iteraTon due to the use of a color legend, was misinterpreted as a connecTon between two secTons. Lack of content in the acTve use of public spaces.

MISSION BAY SURVEY

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San Franciscos new Mission Bay development covers 303 acres of land between the San Francisco Bay and Interstate-280. The Board of Supervisors established the Mission Bay North and South Redevelopment Project Areas in November 1998.

The maximum development program for Mission Bay includes: 6,000 housing units, with 1,700 (28%) aordable to moderate, low, and very low-income households. Redevelopment Agency sponsored non-prot developers will build 1,445 of the aordable units on 16 acres of land contributed by the master developer. The remaining 255 aordable units will be included in privately developed projects. 4.4 million sq. i. of oce/ life science/ biotechnology commercial space. A new UCSF research campus containing 2.65 million sq. i. of building space on 43 acres of land donated by the master developer and the City. A state-of-the art UCSF hospital complex serving children, women, cancer paTents. 500,000 sq. i. of city and neighboring-serving retail space. A 500 room hotel.

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41 acres of new public open space, including parks along Mission Creek and along the bay, plus 8 acres of open space within the UCSF campus. A new 500 student public school, a new public library and new re and police staTons and other community faciliTes.

Mission Bay is served by transit by Munis new 3rd Street Light Rail system, bus lines and the regional serving Caltrain.

Mission Bay is expected to create more than 30,000 new permanent jobs, in addiTon to hundreds ongoing construcTon jobs. Total development cost for Mission Bay is expected to exceed $4 billion.

As of January 2010, 3,126 housing units, including 674 aordable units, have been constructed in Mission Bay. An addiTonal 319 units are under construcTon. More than 1.7 million of commercial oce and biotechnology lab space has been built, with ve addiTonal projects in predevelopment. Seven buildings have been constructed on the UCSF campus, including ve research buildings, a campus community center, and a university housing development. More than 12 acres of new parks and open space have also been completed.

FIELD TRIP (UCSF MISSION BAY CAMPUS)

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MISSION BAY DISTRICT PROPOSALS

MISSION BAY DISTRICT PROPOSALS

ACTIVE NEIGHBORHOOD: In an area that is predominantly lled with oce and residenTal buildings, I think having bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs would be useful for this districts development. Weekdays can get monotonous: gym, work, home, dinner, TV, bed, repeat. Breaking up everyday with a few drinks, coee or upbeat music greatly benets ones personal relaTonship, happiness and eciency. This would be a grateful addiTon for the current employees and residents.

VISTA POINT: Mission Bay is bounded by Townsend Street on the north, Third Street and San Francisco Bay on the east, Mariposa Street on the south, and 7th Street on the west. It has stunning views of the Bay,

Oakland hills, Mt. Diablo, and Downtown San Francisco. Designing a Vista Point at this locaTon would prove vital to drawing tourists and locals abenTon to enjoy the ambience this locaTon has to oer.

INTERACTIVE MUSEUM: San Francisco is no stranger to interacTve science museums. The likes of the Academy of Sciences, located in the heart of San Francisco, has gained high popularity among locals as well as visitors due to its engaging and acTve environment. Given that Mission Bay is home to life science, and biotechnology rms, I propose building an interacTve museum to facilitate the public educaTon and raise revenue to further the districts development. InteracTve museums create a fun and dynamic hands-on learning environment that inspires imaginaTon and curiosity. InteracTve museums are the only other source of public educaTon outside of a classroom or library. The nature of an interacTve museum provides a good space for a family event or a kids eld trip or even an informaTve trip down history for majority of adults. This proposal would help create jobs, generate revenue, and increase acTvity in the Mission Bay district.

MIDTERM LEARNING OUTCOME

This rst half of the semester has been self-moTvaTng and lled with detailed analyTcal studies. This studio, being a transiTon, goes from the abstract world of architectural elements into a more literal form of study. This studio forced us to get out there and get the informaTon needed to generate a direcTon for our work. It taught us how to be resourceful. The result: we became more abenTve to elements usually overlooked or forgoben. For me, the more I researched the more I understood about my design proposal. Certain assignments turned into a checklist while others became codes to adhere to. This half of the semester was all about what you can discover about the world around us and what really moTvates you.

This semester had me present my work in ways I have never done before. It taught me to make opTmum uTlizaTon of the resources available. One of the many resources I had to work with was that of digital tools. I have never worked so extensively with digital soiware to not only make my work presentable but also bring my point forward in an understandable manner while analyzing our work in urban design.

Approaching the rst half of this semester the way we did proved very helpful in understanding the value of every principle and characterisTc that was taught. All of us have a dierent deniTon on vitality in the urban context but this half of the semester brought a common understanding to the term. However, I wish we had moved through the secTons a lible faster so we could spend more Tme on developing our design moTve through gestural models.

I am looking forward to the second half of this semester as we are gexng closer to the crunch-Tme design period of Mission Bay.

SITE ANALYSIS

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SUNRISE 7:08 AM

SUN INCLINATION: 37

SUNSET 7:25 PM SUN INCLINATION: 122

OVERHEAD SUN 12:00 PM

hbp://www.gaisma.com/en/locaTon/san-francisco-california.html

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ITERATION ONE A long walk along the Mission Bay waterfront and UCSF Mission Bay campus lead to the

following conclusions in this site analysis. I chose to build my design on the Southern limit of the site. Through my study of the area I

found a high level of pedestrian acTvity on 3rd Street and a bigger radius of views from the Terry A. Francoise edge of the site. I propose to make use of this high level of acTvity and vista point features. I propose to build an interacTve science museum inspired by the Academy of Sciences. It would be an adult only past 8:00pm sporTng bars, restaurants and a nightlight of its own.

STRENGTHS: Neighboring context (Relevant services) Helps popularize the area It is in close proximity to Downtown San Francisco, as as to abract locals There is a port for potenTal boat tours PlenTful parking and easily accessible via car, train, foot and bicycle Exposure to sun makes it a potenTal solar powered area (No high-rise nearby) PotenTal tourist abracTon like Fishermans Warf WEAKNESSES: Needs landscaping Stormy winds and wind condiTons in the night could make the vista point uncomfortable.

SITE MODEL

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ANALYSIS I ANALYSIS II ANALYSIS III On placing the Marketplace adjacent to 3rd street, it could serve as a abracTon to draw people into its space. Placing the Museum at the corner of South street and Terry A. Francois Blvd. would have the potenTal of promoTng vitality of the Bay. Having acTviTes occur on edges and a garden in the center as a point of reference would protect the green space within and serve as a quite, relaxing, and recuperaTng space unplugging from its acTve surroundings.

= MUSEUM = MARKET PLACE = GARDEN

KEY:

Placing the Gardens on the edge of Terry A. Francois Blvd. would form a natural connecTon between itself and the Bay. Placing the components in this combinaTon would help in forming a smooth circulaTon owing East to West. Placing the Marketplace in the center would have the potenTal of increasing pedestrian ow inward. Placing the Gallery on the edge of 3rd Street and South Street would increase ease of accessibility for tourists as well as residents. Increase mobility on 3rd Street and South Street.

CreaTng a green space adjacent to 3rd Street by placing the Gardens along that edge. Having the Marketplace as the center of all acTvity proves to be useful in increasing space use and pedestrian ow. Placing the Museum at the edge of Terry A. Francois Blvd. and South Street would generate the possibility of responding to the Bay and forming a relaTon between marine life and the museum purpose. Failure to opTmize the use of space and its trac ow adjacent to 3rd Street.

VALUES: A design that would serve as a transiTon from a academic only environment towards a more welcoming and entertaining community space. CreaTng an interacTve environment that will engage and develop an interest in the minds of the Urban Actors in the eld of science, nature, and art. PromoTng an inter-connected matrix of pathways that form a desirable connecTon between external and internal spaces.

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FEATURES GALLERY EXHIBIT CAFE SHOPS MECHANICAL OUTDOOR DINING

OUTDOOR GALLERY

AMPHITHEATRE BACKSTAGE

GALLERY

EXHIBIT

CAFE

SHOPS

MECHANICAL

OUTDOOR DINING

OUTDOOR GALLERY

AMPHITHEATRE

BACKSTAGE

KEY: = DIRECT RELATIONSHIP = DESIRABLE RELATIONSHIP = NO RELATIONSHIP

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPACE AND SIZE:

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Aier studying the permutaTons and combinaTon with regards to size of each component I seem inclined on having the third outcome incorporated into my design. Having a big market place helps direct trac ow towards the bigger garden, which in turn complements the even bigger exploratorium. Therefore, size of each component inuences the use of space.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPACE AND CONTEXT:

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STRONG CONNECTION

MEDIUM CONNECTION

WEAK CONNECTION

On analyzing the relaTonship between the space and context I found that a strong connecTon between the Exploratorium and Garden would enhance space uTlity, whereas a medium connecTon with the Market would provide a space for mulTple acTvity.

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VALUES: Vitalize Mission Bay South District. Complement the UCSF Mission Bay Community. Enhance the world of ScienTc Research and Development. Promote social interacTon having it as the priority of the design. CreaTng a place of leisure and comfort at the East end of the site to relax and unwind. Promote local art and economy through promoTon of local arTsts and talent. Bringing a new demographic in terms of use of space and acTvity, i.e. dierent from the current predominant use of biotechnology rms and residences.

SPACE HIERARCHY: 1. Museum:

a. Indoor Program Areas: Main Museum Gallery: 20,000 gsf Exhibit Space: 5,000 gsf Exhibit Space: 5,000 gsf Caf and Shop: 10,000 gsf Restrooms: 1,800 gsf Mechanical: 1,000 gsf CirculaTon: 10,700 gsf

b. Outdoor Program Areas: Dining: 1,500 gsf Gallery: 90,000 gsf Amphitheatre: 20,000 gsf (1500 seats x 9 sf/seat) + (1500 x 9 x 0.15 aisle circulaTon) + 2800 sf stage + 1000 sf backstage area)

2. Marketplace: Shops and Stalls: 45,000 gsf CirculaTon: 11,250 gsf Restrooms: 1,800 gsf

KEY: = EXPLORATORIUM = MARKET PLACE = GARDEN

ANALYSIS: The rst possibility has a disTncTve area for each component but isolated and non-responsive to one another. The second possibility begins an interlocking relaTonship but ignores the garden component. The third possibility integrates responsive elements as well as the three primary components.

DESIGN INITIATIVE

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DESIGN OBJECTIVES: Using geometric shapes in the abstract form to represent the moTon of growth and development. Promote social interacTon by providing well developed outdoor spaces and acTvity areas. CreaTng a place of comfort and leisure by means of growing healing gardens in the South West Corner. CreaTng a dierent demographic in terms of space uTlity, i.e. dierent from the current use of bio-technology rms and residences. Central axis that responds to the Gene Friend Way axis. Diagonals that intersect at a central point represenTng a point of reference. Village approach to the Market component of the design represenTng a chaoTc sexng. CreaTng a monumental structure to be associate with Mission Bay. Vista Points responding to the Bay and the City of San Francisco.

EAST ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION SOUTH ELEVATION

GARDENS

ISOMETRIC ELEVATION SKIN

The Uchronian Gardens of Mission Bay is designed to be an extension of the Mission Bay Bio-technology movement. The structure is inspired by the growth and development of our scienTc world. The structure implies the moTon of branching out and exploring newer possibiliTes, which is reminiscent to scienTc research. The Uchronian Gardens oer numerous acTviTes for the urban actors to enjoy. The abracTons are characterized into three components: Market, Museum, and Garden. The Uchronian gardens roof oers vista points with unique views of the Bay on one side and the city of San Francisco on the other. The Uchronian Garden is a place for exploraTon, engagement, discovery, recuperaTon, sustenance, and entertainment.

Retail Stores. Museum (Main Museum Gallery) Dining

HEIGHT ORIENTATION TRAFFIC FLOW

CIRCULATION MAP

GROUND LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

GROUND LEVEL:

MUSEUM SECTION

Healing Gardens. Retail Stores. Market Dining Museum (Caf and Shops) Service Area Amphitheatre

UPPER LEVEL:

LOWER LEVEL:

Museum (Exhibit Space) Shops

INTENT: Use of geometric shapes to evoke an intriguing

spaTal experience and form a journey from public to private spaces. I intended on developing a design that transiTons between these two spaces. OUTCOME:

The main expression is an eastward opening facade towards the Bay responding to the views. The uctuaTon in size directs movement of pedestrian ow. The journey involves taking the urban actors through changing spaTal experiences and facades that concludes at the East end of our site and open up towards the heart of the Bay. The geometric tectonic language and dynamic face sTmulates curiosity and adds a disTncTve idenTty to Mission Bay.

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POTENTIAL COLUMNS

SERVICE ENTRANCE EAST EXPRESSION POTENTIAL PATHWAYS STIMULATING FACADE

INTENT: Create orthogonal snap shots of previous

iteraTon and generate plan drawings for the museum. Using this as a template, accurately accommodate the Program Areas on each of the proposed levels.

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OUTCOME: A series of progression drawings that

start to show potenTal for dened programmaTc areas. Now as I commit to my design by dening spaces and dedicaTng spaTal acTvity I wanted to interweave all three components: that being, marketplace, garden and museum.

MUSEUM PLAN VIEW

MUSEUM UPPER LEVEL

MUSEUM GROUND LEVEL

MUSEUM LOWER LEVEL

SERVICE ENTRANCE MUSEUM EAST ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION

UCHRONIAN GARDEN

MARKET PLACE AND DINING

AMPHITHEATRE

RETAIL STORES, MARKET PLACE AND GARDENS

TOP VIEW

LANDMARK

DESIGN CONCLUSIONS: CENTRALLY LOCATED TOWER ELEMENT SITUATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE QUAD THAT FUNCTIONS AS A LANDMARK. TRADITIONAL CAMPUS PLAN WHERE QUAD IS AT THE HUB OF SEGREGATED USES LINKED BY MAJOR PATHS THAT INTERSECT AT THE QUAD. LOCATE OPEN-TO-SKY MARKET PLACE AND RETAIL STORES CLOSE TO 3RD STREET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT TRAFFIC. LOCATE MUSEUM ENTRANCE AND EXHIBIT HALLS CLOSEST TO THE BAY TO PROVIDE VIEWS. LOCATE GARDEN TO THE SOUTHERN WEST LIMIT TO MAXIMIZE SUN EXPOSURE.

UCHRONIAN GARDENS (ITERATION FOUR)

ITERATION FOUR INTENT:

Following the development of a mere gesture model and progressive drawings I transiToned into programmaTc elements via digital media. Develop clarity in design intent and inuencing factors.

OUTCOME: At each point, in the gesture model, where the wooden frame touched the base

adopted the role of my museum boundary. Which resulted in a dened wall boundary as well as a clear vision to my museum design. By exposing some parts of the indoor acTvity, through a series of translucent surfaces, I intended on generaTng eagerness on behalf of its observers; it plays a key role in drawing people into its space. The interacTve features that the museum has to oer makes them stay in. The three storied structure ( 1 underground, 1 ground-level, and 1 above) takes its rugged and jagged theme from the Piers of San Francisco.

INFLUENCING FACTORS: Movement Aperture Light CanTlever Pathway InteracTon

MOVEMENT APERTURE LIGHT

CANTILEVER PATHWAY INTERACTION

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Keeping the previous iteraTons and sketches in mind, develop a series of plans, to scale, that dene programmaTc areas within the museum.

OUTCOME: Dened programmaTc areas with a good

understanding of scale in relaTonship to its verTcal surroundings. Keeping the main expression of an opening towards the East end of our site, in the form of a vista point, in response to the Bay. Developing another expression of opening towards the West end of our site in response to the city of San Francisco.

MUSEUM PLAN VIEW

EXHIBIT AREA (LOWER LEVEL)

MAIN NAVE (GROUND LEVEL)

MAIN GALLERY (UPPER LEVEL)

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circulaTon pathways in each component. Develop verTcal and horizontal circulaTon pathways for each level and co-ordinate their locaTon through plan drawings.

OUTCOME: Dened programmaTc spaces while

incorporaTng circulaTon elements with reference to the Museum, Garden and Marketplace. Developed a system of axis and explored the possibility of mulTple means of egress. Dened verTcal and horizontal circulaTon paths by means of elevators and stairways and a series of pathways with acTve edge condiTon.

MUSEUM CIRCULATION ELEMENTS

MUSEUM CIRCULATION DIRECTION

SITE STRATEGY

UCHRONIAN GARDENS (FINAL ITERATION)

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The design intent that drove my project was to inuence people to transiTon from public to private spaces and form a journey as they have this experience. In order to do that, I developed a tradiTonal campus plan as my design layout. This design intenTon was directly inuenced by the UCSF Mission Bay campus layout. Each component is independent of itself yet interesTngly connected. The site is broken up into dierent components to accommodate the programmaTc areas. As I developed the campus plan, I placed the quad at the hub of segregated uses linked by major pathways that intersect at a central point.

My pathways are broken up into major and minor systems. The major ones are the diagonals and central pathways running East-West through the site forming an axial system. It connects the site to 3rd Street and Terry A. Francois Blvd. The system of minor pathways are distributed throughout the site connecTng each component and acTvity area creaTng an

FINAL NARRATIVE

UCSF MISSION BAY

EAST ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION ISOMETRIC

inter-connected hub. In terms of site programmaTc layout, I located the market and retail uses closest to the 3rd Street, West end of our

site, to take advantage of the high volume of pedestrian trac coming through the public transit stop as well as UCSF Mission Bay Campus. Providing abracTons and creaTng pathways that lead to the center of the site could prove to be a benecial design strategy to get people into the site. I located the healing gardens in the south-west corner of our site in order to maximize sun exposure. I also have spread out gardens across the site in order to promote a greener tomorrow

starTng with a small step taken today. Having mulTple spots of green areas also supports my idea of growing a stronger community built on interacTon and socializaTon. Providing areas for potenTal picnics, or gathering spots helps promote a community. I located the museum to the north-east corner of our site in order to mobilize Terry A. Francois Blvd. and respect the occupants of 3rd Street by keeping a check on the vehicular and noise polluTon. The museum locaTon also promotes my idea of having Vista Points responding to the

3RD STREET ENTRANCE TERRY A. FRANCOIS BLVD. ENTRANCE

SOUTH STREET SERVICE ENTRANCE

Bay and the City of San Francisco. This site strategy was developed in order to enable the urban actors to get to their desired programmaTc area with the least amount of eort. My design was greatly inuenced by journey, in which, navigaTon played a key role. Since my design was created in order to get lost subconsciously; I provided a centrally located tower element situated in the Piazza and two secondary tower elements in the market place to serve as a point of reference to its users. It funcTons as a landmark and takes its inspiraTon from similar tower elements like Coit tower, Sather tower, and Hearst tower. As pointed out during presentaTon, I decided to accommodate acTvity inside these tower elements. At the top of the tower I provided a look- out point from where you can see the enTre site and experience breathtaking views of the Bay, City of San Francisco, and Oakland hills; at the bobom I provided area for a caf that could serve as a center for gathering, socializing, or agree with the tower element of being a point of reference. The design for my museum takes inspiraTon from my gesture model. The rugged and jagged theme was adopted from the nature of San Franciscos piers and abempted to form a connecTon between the Bay and our site.

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SECONDARY TOWER SYSTEM PRIMARY TOWER SYSTEM

SITE PLAN

GARDEN

RETAIL STORES

DINING

MARKET

MUSEUM

AMPHITHEATRE

TOWER LANDMARK

GROUND LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

SPACE HIERARCHY: 1. Museum:

a. Indoor Program Areas: Main Museum Gallery: 20,000 gsf Exhibit Space: 5,000 gsf Exhibit Space: 5,000 gsf Caf and Shop: 10,000 gsf CirculaTon: 10,700 gsf

b. Outdoor Program Areas: Dining: 1,500 gsf Amphitheatre: 20,000 gsf (1500 seats x 9 sf/seat) + (1500 x 9 x 0.15 aisle circulaTon) + 2800 sf stage + 1000 sf backstage area)

2. Marketplace: Shops and Stalls: 45,000 gsf CirculaTon: 11,250 gsf

MUSEUM PLAN VIEW

MUSEUM UPPER LEVEL

MUSEUM GROUND LEVEL

MUSEUM LOWER LEVEL MUSEUM SECTION

The museum is broken up into three levels: 1) Lower Level (Underground): Houses the two Exhibit areas. I placed the exhibit areas at this level because it is a more private and secluded event away from the enTre crowd visiTng the site with dierent intenTons. It appeals to private groups and individuals working in the profession. 2) Ground Level: Houses the Caf, Museum Shop, Service Entrance and Main Nave. This level forms as a transiTon between the upper and lower level which is why I located the museum shop and caf here. The service entrance has been placed on the Northern edge of our site facing South Street as it is dead area, in terms of acTvity, and proves ideal for pick-up and drop o acTviTes. The Main Nave serves as the main hallway, open space, or center point. Everything is connected through this space. The main entrance leads to the Nave from where its users can decide to go wherever they please. 3) Upper Level: Houses the Main gallery and Vista Points. The main gallery oers a

UCHRONIAN GARDENS

combinaTon of arTfacts as well as views around the site. Take in sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and Downtown San Francisco, and on a sunnier day views up to Sutro Hills.

The amphitheater is located on the South East corner of our site and goes underground. It has steps going down that provide area for seaTng and has a green area at its foot that provide for a secondary seaTng area. This placement takes advantage of the views that one can experience while siTng and watching a play.

The marketplace has adopted an open to sky theme with limited regulaTons. I imagined a market place that was regulated with only area and height restricTons giving the owner of that space liberty to design his stall according to his preference that may benet his business. This adds an enTre dierent dynamic to the experience of walking through a market place.

With my design strategy, I promoted the building of a stronger community and open space with the intenTon of a greener tomorrow and forming a family built among the urban actors.

AMPHITHEATRE MARKET PLACE

UCHRONIAN GARDENS

This semester, by far, has been the most challenging and demanding one since the beginning of my academic career. On compleTng my third semester design studio I feel like I have come out, not only a renewed designer but also a beber student. Since the beginning of this studio I have been pushed outside of my comfort zone to abain a level of understanding that would, hopefully, accelerate my performance in the studios that follow as I further my educaTon in a new insTtuTon. This studio has made me aware of my surroundings and helped me abain strong analyTcal skills.

With the opportuniTes handed to us I believe this studio is an imperaTve one to go through in order to become a beber designer. I was made to think, design, present, speak and work like never before. The goal I had set to achieve in the beginning of the semester, was to have a beber understanding of urban design and clearly translate my design language into our everyday conversaTon yet keeping its stature intact. I believe, I have achieved it.

Now, as I look back at the semester, I feel we jumped into the design process a bit too late for comfort. Had we iniTated our design proposals through gesture models and then transiToned into the full-scale model; we would have had an even smoother conclusion to the semester. Every moment during this process was a nail biTng one, from the ICE BREAKER assignment right up to my breakthrough in designing the UCHRONIAN GARDENS.

I now understand the meaning of Tme management, design understanding, process development through an iteraTve process, and narraTve buildup. From advice on college to criTquing my work; I could not have goben through this semester without your guidance.

THANK YOU