DEFINING URBAN SPACE

http://www.uidaho.edu/caa/programs/landscape-architecture/
featured-stories/olmsted-legacy

Spatial Practices:

Project: University of Idaho Campus Master Plan

Designer: the Olmsted Brothers

Date: 1908

After the 1906 fire that destroyed the Administration Building, the university's major landmark, John E. Tourtellotte, architect of Idaho's Capitol, was hired to design a new building.  Thinking of the future, University President James McLean also hired the Olmsted Brothers, Frederick and John Olmsted, to develop a master plan for the campus.

Frederick (Frederick Law Olmsted) is widely considered the "father of American landscape architecture" working on projects such as New York's Prospect and Central Park and the master plan for the 1983 World's Exposition in Chicago.  That legacy and experience was carried on to the planning of U of I.

John Olmsted took most of the lead on the project, creating a sketch and 25 page report explaining his intent for the university.  "The greater part of the land proposed to be added east...should be improved...so that the main group of University buildings would forever have a handsome, dignified frontage..."  Clearly showing that his intent focused on maintaining a defined connection between the existing buildings and any new use that may to introduced in the future.  "Understanding the interconnectedness of people and place" (2)  Like you can see in the diagram above, suggested circulation paths were created based on vision triangles and how travel between uses was based on the visual connection between each other.  Or like in the image to the right, you can see how many diagonal sidewalks have been implemented to reduce travel time and allow individuals to get from "a" to "b" in the most direct manner.  I heard, and I am not sure how true this is, that an analysis was done on the travel paths of students on campus to see what the most effective layout for sidewalks would be.  Which could explain the "chaotic" pattern seen. Creating a direct connection between the user and the place they are traveling too.

John once said "the University as a whole...ought to exhibit clearly, in all its outward appearance, the fact that it is the place of work and of residence of cultivated and careful people."(1) which is a sentiment the univeristy still strives for when planning.  Careful planning of not only current projects but consideration for future development has allowed for a unified progression in the university's growth.  I believe John's idea of understanding the interconnectedness of people and place is a concept that all designers should apply to their designs.  How people interact with space helps to determine how well a place or building can be used.  Which isn't a concept that I feel needs to be improved, yet it should be understood that although this should be applied to all projects, it will never be implemented in the same way.  Interconnectedness is as diverse of a concept as the project that it is being used for.  Spatial use and organization vs the user (the product) will always be required to create cohesion between people and place.

Conceptualized Space:

Project: Caldwell Business Improvement District
Designer: University of Idaho LARC 556 Students
Date: 2016

Currently our studio is working with the city of Caldwell to create design guidelines for their city center district.  As their current design code stands, many of the standards are too vague to confirm that a consistant design standard will be implemented throughout the downtown area.  Throughout the semester as a class we have created a design guideline document that breaks down the elements that create a building and the architectural characteristics, materiality and execution that will be allowed.  As well, an urban design guideline section is being developed to outline acceptable landscape/streetscape options for the area.  With the completion of the document the city has the option to pick and chose which of our guidelines they would like to include in their city building/zoning code.

The next section of our document is going to be proposing uses and developments of space and buildings within the district.  The aerial image above is the existing condition of the district,

consisting mostly of commercial or vacant buildings, including a historic block that is the original downtown Caldwell.  Where the image to the left (still under development) is our proposal for multi-use, residential and commercial buildings to help create a more diverse, profitable district.  Although our image does seem more strict and finalized due to the rendering technique, we are still only proposing an option to the city, i.e. showing spatial relations between the built and urban environment of the area.  I feel like the term "conceptualized space" references a very perliminary style of space.  As if it can only be used in the begining stages of design, before things are further developed.  But due to client need/perceptual abilities we had to provided a more formalized image to protray our ideas beyond the lose presentation style this type of space definition.

Representational Space:

Project: The Radiant City
Designer: Le Corbusier
Date: 1924

https://expedictionary.com/2014/01/23/film-cities-spike-
jonzes-herand-los-angeles-as-radiant-city/

The first example I think of when describing representational space is Corbu's theory on utopian architecture.  And the idea of creating a urban environment that directly reflects the needs of a city, through spatial relation to architectural use.

Through planning and architectural design, Corbu's core plan was based on zoning and creating a strict division of public, private and entertainment areas.  Business district located in the center of the city with a vast underground system of trains for transportation to and from the surrounding housing areas.  Housing districts would be apartment style buildings accommodating up to 2,700 inhabitants functioning as a "vertical village." With parks in between each building to provide the most natural daylight and recreational facilities as possible, with minimal noise, right at they front door (3).

The concept of a utopian city is completely unreasonable and would never work in the intended way.  For one, all users can not be expected to live/work/play in the same exact way.  Although all people should be treated "equal" that will never be a concept that could be fully executed because we have become so accustomed to our ways of life.  Once one experiences a privileged lifestyle, it is nearly impossible to force them to lower their standard of living.

The one good concept of utopia I've found is the reduction of transportation and promoting more natural environment within city limits.  This helps to provide a healthier, more active lifestyle for all inhabitants, rather than just the ones that can pay more for these necessary immunity.

https://www.google.com/searchq=le+corbusier+utopian+architecture&rlz=1C1CHFX_en
US708US708&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0s6ik5_zPAhUL
qlQKHafuAkYQ_AUICSgC&biw=871&bih=823#imgrc=_

(1) "Olmsted Legacy." Retrieved October 27, 2016. from https://www.uidaho.edu/caa/programs/landscape-architecture/featured-stories/olmsted-legacy

(2) "Long Range Campus Development Plan."  Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://www.uidaho.edu/infrastructure/facilities/aes/campus-development-plan

(3) Merin, G. (2013, August 11). AD Classics: Ville Radieuse / Le Corbusier. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from http://www.archdaily.com/411878/ad-classics-ville-radieuse-le-corbusier