Project_2

"I want all my senses engaged. Let me absorb the world's variety and uniqueness."
-Maya Angelou

Analysis_ An intervention within the urban condition

Having completed two weeks in Rome and two weeks traveling throughout Italy, you have accumulated a graphic and photographic library of buildings, landscapes, spaces and environments indicative of your temporary home. This library will provide a series of precedents as you commence Project 2.

For Projects 2 to 4, you will select one of four possible sites to house a new multi-function facility. The program of this facility will include some form of housing in the form of apartments, single room occupancies or hotel, street-front commercial facilities, such as restaurants, coffee houses, florists and tabacco shops with possible offices above. All sites should include appropriate vehicular parking as well as private, semi private or public landscape amenities. The site located on Via Trastevere will require public gathering and sporting functions in place of typical commercial uses and senior housing instead of the more typical apartment flats. As your team (see below) completes an analysis of the site, the team will also develop a more detailed one-page program specific to your project.

For the first week of the project you will work as a team to explore and document your site during a variety of times day and night, weekday and weekend. You will present your findings graphically and digitally. Each team will be permitted five 8 ” x 11” sheets in which to convey their research. This research shall include location in city, analysis of adjoining urban fabric, pedestrian and vehicular access and traffic, environmental conditions [sun, wind, proximity to natural elements], public transportation studies, adjacent building conditions and the way the site and its context changes throughout the day and week.[don’t forget weekends!]

For the second phase of Project 2, each individual student will prepare a conceptual urban model of his or her intervention. Following the spirit of the agreed upon program, fill one A4 size sheet with a combination of the following: small urban conceptual models (physical), 3D computer models or free hand drawings illustrating the basic conceptual "partie" to be developed during subsequent phases. While respecting the surrounding urban typology, explore additional strategies for housing a program befitting our age and the diverse needs of a contemporary population. The conceptual strategy should address the mundane issues of parking and access as well as the perennial needs of light, space and both private as well as shared outdoor space. In spite of a rich history of urban settlement, the Romans seemed to be equally lost in providing a form of contemporary housing that still supports a modern lifestyle yet continues a rich and varied urban agenda. Even at such an early conceptual stage, explorations of the landscape, creative spatial organizations and the use of contemporary materials and technology can be addressed.

Media
digital photography and small physical models, hand sketches and diagrams, 3D computer models

Schedule
07 Feb 06 Project distribution | Site selection
08 Feb 06 Site visit [Stanley to schedule visits with each group]
09 Feb 06 Site visit [Stanley + David to schedule visits with each group]
14 Feb 06 Group presentation of site analysis + Individual programs
15 Feb 06 Commence individual urban planning
23 Feb 06 Urban conceptual Intervention Review
23 Mar 06 Mid-Review (further clarifications to be made)
27 Apr 06 Final Review (further clarifications to be made)

Requirements_Phase 1
5 Group Analysis Sheets size A4 or approximately 8 1/2” x 11"
1 Individual Program size A4 – one agreed upon program per team]
1 Group Digital Presentation optional – can include slides, video or combination

Requirements_Phase 2
5 Individual Conceptual Models size A4 - one sheet per student

Due
ALL presentations begin promptly at 02:00pm.