OPERATION THE URBAN CONCOURSE PROSPECT
Undergraduate Category: Humanities and Arts Degree Level: B.S Abstract ID# 474
THE URBAN CONCOURSE
Somerville, the most densely populated municipality in New England, was famous as industrial area in last Century. It was chosen as development by Ford and Ikea. However, Industry slowly moved outward to the metropolitan fringes, encouraged by highway acess and cheap, undeveloped land. By 1976, Assembly Square was becoming a ghost town: Finast Stores, the Boston and Maine Railroad, The Ford Motor Company was gone. By the Late 1970s, Somerville was losing population, revenue and jobs.
A new model of infrastructure for negotiating post-industrial urban sites
After the Industrial Revolution, many New England cities are now struggling to establish their identity in the “postindustrial” world. How to active the abandoned area with maintaining its existing characteristics is becoming an issue on urban development. Taking Assembly Square in Somerville as a testing site, this is an urban proposal that amplify and merge the context and create new architectural typology coming out of infrastructure, landscape and streetscape. The urban design aspire to revive Assembly Square, improve amenity and enhance the harmonious interaction among the diverse population.
MEDFORD -
EVERETT
TEN HILLS
ASSEMBLY SQUARE
WINTER HILL
EAST SOMERVILLE CHARLESTOWN
Or an
ge
lin
e
#93 hig
hway
Site The site is surrounded by rail line, residential context and commercial development.
Landscape Conncetion The green axis connects riveside and subway station with green public spaces on two sides
Traffic connection The mian vehicle circulation connect orange line and #93 highway.
Internal connection Blocks divided by grid of street that connect to context.
OPERATION
In order to connect new residents of the development to landscape, recreation, ecologic, and commercial resources, the operation of the urban concourse is to extend amenity and activities both horizontally and verti- cally. The floor slabs are extended toward different directions to react different urban conditions. Thus the variety of combination would be created by different programs. Section A: Commercial+Community The bridge which cross over the rail line connects the marsh park and a community center by going through a office tower.
PROSPECT
Section B: Community hub The ground is lifted up to create public place towards central plaza. A small museum is placed aside.
A With the raised ground plane reacting surrounding urban conditions, the prospect would be achieved by infusion of more amenity and dynamics. The weaving ground will identify the public spaces and create smooth transition from people’s public life to personal life.
B
Section C: Residential+Community A community node connects a residential tower by a brige crossing over the street.
C
THE URBAN CONCOURSE
Somerville, the most densely populated municipality in New England, was famous as industrial area in last Century. It was chosen as development by Ford and Ikea. However, Industry slowly moved outward to the metropolitan fringes, encouraged by highway acess and cheap, undeveloped land. By 1976, Assembly Square was becoming a ghost town: Finast Stores, the Boston and Maine Railroad, The Ford Motor Company was gone. By the Late 1970s, Somerville was losing population, revenue and jobs.
A new model of infrastructure for negotiating post-industrial urban sites
After the Industrial Revolution, many New England cities are now struggling to establish their identity in the “postindustrial” world. How to active the abandoned area with maintaining its existing characteristics is becoming an issue on urban development. Taking Assembly Square in Somerville as a testing site, this is an urban proposal that amplify and merge the context and create new architectural typology coming out of infrastructure, landscape and streetscape. The urban design aspire to revive Assembly Square, improve amenity and enhance the harmonious interaction among the diverse population.
MEDFORD -
EVERETT
TEN HILLS
ASSEMBLY SQUARE
WINTER HILL
EAST SOMERVILLE CHARLESTOWN
Or an
ge
lin
e
#93 hig
hway
Site The site is surrounded by rail line, residential context and commercial development.
Landscape Conncetion The green axis connects riveside and subway station with green public spaces on two sides
Traffic connection The mian vehicle circulation connect orange line and #93 highway.
Internal connection Blocks divided by grid of street that connect to context.
OPERATION
In order to connect new residents of the development to landscape, recreation, ecologic, and commercial resources, the operation of the urban concourse is to extend amenity and activities both horizontally and verti- cally. The floor slabs are extended toward different directions to react different urban conditions. Thus the variety of combination would be created by different programs. Section A: Commercial+Community The bridge which cross over the rail line connects the marsh park and a community center by going through a office tower.
PROSPECT
Section B: Community hub The ground is lifted up to create public place towards central plaza. A small museum is placed aside.
A With the raised ground plane reacting surrounding urban conditions, the prospect would be achieved by infusion of more amenity and dynamics. The weaving ground will identify the public spaces and create smooth transition from people’s public life to personal life.
B
Section C: Residential+Community A community node connects a residential tower by a brige crossing over the street.
C
