This diagram pretty much shows much site layout ideas.
The north side of the site will have a wall that will protect the parking and it will come up to the first floor level where it will convert into a retention basin for the water collection. To the north edge of the parking wall will be planted with native grasses non-mow area. Along the south edge of the parking wall is a path for the students and/or community to stroll along. I envision this as an area where the students go to just step away from the work day for a brief time. The area between the academic building and the residential tower should be natural terrain and should not be graded to a perfect landscape. The paths as well should be more of a rugged design and not just a carved out straight path. This will give the feel of a natural setting not a designed setting that is typical in urban settings. Another rugged path will need to be inserted for those approaching from the west. The front retention area should have a “wall” that is planted with native plants.
My basic site ideas are to keep the landscaping as native as possible and non linear.
Building Elements:
Most of the elements are discussed in prior posts. The water collection is shown here in the site plan; the shading and day lighting are demonstrated in my schematic detail from the intensive presentation. I will gather my images into a sheet and post that soon. I did a lot of research this weekend while in bed.
7 comments:
Jaclyn,
The pathways in orange in general in the logic positions on your site,
I wonder about the irrigular shape of it, why its not straight?
by asking that question, i am not hoping for them to be straight as much as i like them to be irrigular for reason. using lanscape elements like little shrubs, hills and trees could help waving them more. add some experience for people who walk on them related visualy to your building elements, perhaps the entrance.
I wonder if locating your trees on Boylston street blocking the view to your building?
What is good about the Maze?
The Blocking view trees or the experience?
You have a very good opportunity with your site plan as you have enough open spaces to use well.
I am very impressed by your Illustrative images, they are very informative.
Your Structure narrative is very clear and straight forward.
looking forward to see and read more and more.
Jaclyn, the blogger!
Great use of the pictures to illustrate your ideas, especially connecting them to the areas on your plan. For the times it’s not raining, will there be a pump to keep the water moving through your water features and between the buildings? What happens during the winter months? There is a new retirement center a couple of miles from my house and they have a large water/rock feature at their main entry (it is actually too big and in your face as you drive by their site). It is apparently heated as it continues to run during the below freezing temperatures. There are big ice cycles on the rocks, but you can see the water still flowing. Heating the water isn’t very “green”, but it keeps the water feature flowing during the cold times we have in the North.
I looked back on your plans and you have your parking under the building, I don’t see a drive going under your building on this latest plan. Are you re-thinking your 40 spaces and how they are accessed?
Thanks for your many comments and great posts,
Jaclyn,
I agree with Mr. Raafat and David, cool graphics, a bit hard to see for some, but I get the intent. In regards to Amr's comment to the path and circulation, I think it depends on how you envision the green area (park, urban plaza or institutional lawn. The Fens just down the street were done by Frederick Olmstead back in the Richardson days, mostly to get the sewage out of Back Bay, I am not entirely sure (99% accurate about the sewage waterway). Anywho, your green park could be an introduction of the green belt down the street. Google earth the site and go west, stop at the first green belt and follow the path south, southwest and then it goes back up north, then west. The belt passes residential areas, the Museum of Fine Arts and College institutions.
Regardless of how you approach your solution I suggest looking into www.pressleyassociates.com
This is a landscape Architects company in Boston that has done extensive work for my Alma mater (Northeastern University). Visit their portfolio for parks and institutions, this would give you great precedents that could inspire you for unprecendented work.
David's comment on "Jaclyn the blogger", how the heck are you doing all this? Are you sure you have a family? We need to see the kids pictures again! Keep working hard..
Good site plan beginning. Question: how does the north edge differ from the south edge? Can you diagram this? Urban/noise/climate, etc.
Jaclyn,
I think the basic layout and the genaral idea for the treatment of the landscape is great. I have my daubts that you can keep it very natural and rugged; you are putting a lot of pressure on your small landcsaped area with path, water channels, natural grades (?) down to the rail road. The rail raod will require a fence to keep people out... when visiting presley's website, keep in mind that most of their work deals with larger landscape areas. Applying some of these "flowing" ideas will be challenging in the rather small site. Extend your site all the way to the edge of the side walk if necessary, keeping the functionality of the side walk in tact.
Werner,
I will have to post a section through the site so you can see what my wall will accomplish, I don't believe I will need the fence, hopefully the section will help. Thank you for the comments I will study all of them on my site!
Jaclyn,
I like the photos and the intent of your site. The graphics pointing to your site really help define how you imagine it. I hope the small natural spaces can maintain the appearance you are looking for. The free formed paths and landscaping will create a very comfortable feel while relaxing in this area. I see you have 3 streams running from the south to the north. Could a larger and more distinct feature be more well received? Better effect? View from around your site could help you verify the best location and size for these elements.
I like that you are keeping the square windows and the scale of the South façade is pleasing. I am hung up on the pointed columns… I think they give a sense of fragility to the elevation, however would something rectilinear be more fitting to such a well defined linear façade? I like more in the studio space how the horizontal balcony railings and such whereas I think this detail is lost in the tower. Could material help to support banding in the tower façade and bring down the scale of such a vertical surface?
Post a Comment