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CARLIE DOUGLASARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN DESIGN PORTFOLIO
ABOUT MEI was born in Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in a small town just outside of it until I moved away to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in 2005. While studying Architecture at IIT, I competed on the Varsity Volleyball Team. Having a responsibility to a team, taught me invaluable time management skills as well as the value of hard work. I also had the opportunity to travel during this time, both within the North America and in Europe. This expanded my world view in a way that simply studying or seeing photos of places cannot. In the Spring and Summer of 2009, I had the pleasure of participating in a Design/Build project as part of my studies. This Field Chapel project game me real-world experience in both bringing a project into the real world and the realities of construction. I obtained the Bachelor of Architecture, cum laude in December of 2010.
I am currently undertaking a MA Urban Design programme at Newcastle University in England. My interest in Urban Design comes out of my frustration with many architectural projects that do not take their surroundings into account. I have completed all coursework associated with the programme and am now working on my Thesis Project. My project is on urban design and healthy living in semi-urban residential areas. I chose to focus on Healthy Living because of its importance in today’s society amidst the worldwide obesity epidemic accompanying an escalation in a variety of physical and mental health problems that can be addressed, in part, through the built environment. Sustainability is also a minor focus, and there are many overlaps between designing for health and for sustainability; generally, what is healthy for people is also healthy for the environment.
PROJECTS
FIELD CHAPEL
2009-Illinois Institute of Technology Architecture Design-Build Studio
GATESHEAD CREATIVE QUARTER
2010-Newcastle University Urban Design Project
WINDING STEEL WINERY
2009-Illinois Institute of Technology Architecture Studio
SUMMER HOUSE IN MICHIGAN
2007-Illinois Institute of Technology Architecture Studio
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
2008-Illinois Institute of Technology Architecture Studio
MID RISE HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING
2008-Illinois Institute of Technology Architecture Studio
SUSTAINABLE PLACES
2011-Newcastle University Urban Design Project-Design Coding
MUSIC BOX
2011-Newcastle University Urban Design Temporary Use Project
PHOTOGRAPHY
Digital, Slide Film, Black and White
4
FIELD CHAPEL (FELD KAPELLE)Bödigheim, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany
This project was introduced as a design-build project in January 2009. Our client, a pastor in Bödigheim, Germany, had a vision for a small chapel placed on the top of a hill that would unite the three surrounding communities. Over the course of the next two months, our studio of 12 researched and developed individual designs for this unique chapel project. We then combined like projects and narrowed down the projects to three that were then presented to the commu-nity of Bödigheim and the municipality of its governing city, Buchen. After this presentation, we learned more about the limitations and possibilities of the project. Wood would be donated from Buchen and the local blacksmith, carpenter, sawmill owner, and the farmer to whom the land belonged, agreed to help. We further developed two projects and after assessing the ma-terial and time constraints, pushed forth on the final design. We were helped by local architect Dea Ecker. Her firm, Ecker Architekten, worked with the local officials and obtained the neces-sary building permits to allow the project to continue. In July 2009, I traveled along with my studio members to construct this project. We finished in time for the opening ceremony on 25 July 2009.
This project was amazing in its ability to unite the communities. So many people donated just a few hours or a couple of meals without which this project would not have been possible. Not only did we form lasting bonds with many of the people, but this project also forged bonds within the communities. I hope that this project will continue to serve as a reminder of what is possible when so many people are willing to contribute just a small amount of their trades.
More information about this project can be found on ArchDaily in the 15 October 2009 edition.
This project won the American Institute of Architects Chicago’s Outstanding Building Award in
the Fall of 2010.
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS PHOTOS
5DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION CREW
PREPARING FOR OPENING CEREMONY
6
FINISHED CHAPEL
7
ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF DETAILS
8
This project, Gateshead Creative Connection, is for the regeneration of the Quayside of Gateshead into a creative quarter. This push
for regeneration comes in conjunction with that of the Town Centre, funded mostly by Tesco. Gateshead Creative Connection project
battles heavy vehicular traffic routes through and around the area. This project seeks to create a space open to all people and encourage
creative thinking, production, and lifestyle. It will speak to and aims to support the functions and events of creative hubs such as the
Sage, The Shed, Riverside Sculpture path, the Baltic, Northumbria University, Gateshead College, Newcastle University, and Newcastle
College as well as Gateshead Council. It should also act as an usher between Gateshead Town Centre, its Quayside, and Newcastle.
Tyne Bridge Tower Site, Gateshead, UK
RENDERED MASTERPLAN MODEL PHOTOS
9
The area will be open to local artistic or otherwise exhibitions and become a place for creative people
to gain support and inspiration. The northern section of the masterplan proposes a wide range of
uses and facilities such as an event space where goods made in the area can displayed through
events such as fashion shows and the local community can learn new skills through classes such as
sustainable dress making and where social events can take place. The studio spaces around the area
contain facilities where artists can display their work and these are open to the public for business.
There are also proposals for night time café/ bars, which
will accommodate food and drink uses as well as small
music performances while activating the area for a
greater portion of time. It is intended that the public
spaces will accommodate outdoor events such as art
and architectural installations, music performances and
fashion shows. In order to make the northern creative
section viable, the southern area will be a commercial retail
area and act as a continuation of Gateshead High Street.
It is envisaged that the area will attract niche, bespoke
retailers; businesses which speak to nearby to quirky,
artistic areas. Both areas will be integrated together and
into the surrounding areas through the use of distinctive
and sustainable materials and public realm. Gateshead
Creative Connection aims to help Gateshead retain
skills and graduates at the same time as empowering
the local community through a return to local crafts.
SITE SECTION
10
MODEL PHOTO (RIGHT) AND
ILLUSTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE
(ABOVE) OF MAIN SQUARE
11MOOD BOARD
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WINDING STEEL WINERYTabor Hill Winery, Buchanan, Michigan
This project is located on the site of the existing Tabor Hill Winery in Buchanan, Michigan. We considered the site as I the existing production,
office, and visitor buildings had never been built. To begin the project, we researched the processes of wine-making including climate needs
and factors, differences in processes of varieties and styles of wine, and machinery and man-power needed depending on the style and size
of operations. The choice of materials in each step of the process can have a profound impact on the final taste and qualities of the wine.
Stemming from this revelation, I began an in-depth investigation into the different materials, wood (typically oak), steel, cork, and glass.
While conducting this examination, I became aware that many of these materials possessed similar cellular structures. These became my
concept of how the winery could be efficiently organized and also grow over time to meet the needs of the
winery. I chose to stick with this original material palate moving into the later design.
Steel sheet piling is used for the main structure because it has a rustic feel that is appropriate for the Michigan
landscape; it is respectful, but still has a strong presence. Sheet piling lends itself to the cellular concept and
flexibility for growth over time. It also is low-impact during construction, allowing the project to integrate
itself further and closer into the landscape. Sheet piling is also used as the roof structure, attempting to
lessen the impact of the trucks and heavy machinery needed to travel in and out of the site.
To provide the essential weatherproofing and climate control needed in the Fermentation Area, Cellar, and Bottling Areas, glass enclosures
with radiant heated-floors are used. This enhances the experience for visitors to the winery; to be able to see the process taking place
without interrupting before arriving at the tasting room.
SECTION
13
WEST ELEVATION
DETAIL SECTION
14
INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE RENDERING
15
ENTRANCE RENDERING
TASTING ROOM RENDERING
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SUMMER HOUSE IN MICHIGANOver the course of a semester, I designed a summer house for a site in Michigan. The material for this house had to be wood, engineered or otherwise and we calculated all of the structural specifications for the project. The design had to be a free plan (in the living space) with a more regular plan for the bedrooms. My design for this project developed out of a study of the spaced formed by overlapping cubes. All drawings for this project were hand-drawn on Strathmore boards. At the end of the project, we were to construct a realistic ¼”=1’ model of our designs using mostly basswood and acrylic with handmade wire trees. The photos are of the scale model.
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MONTESSORI SCHOOLGold Coast, Chicago, Illinois
Geometric Studies
For this project, we were given a site just north of downtown Chicago to design a large
Montessori school. We could only use concrete and glass for this project. The site had
spatial constraints on all four sides. We researched extensively the teaching methods
of Montessori schools to better understand the spatial requirements as these meth-
ods differ greatly from the methods of typical schools and require different types of
spaces. I also conducted intense geometric studies, stemming out of the previous
research, based on the
octagon, looking at
overlaps as continuous
volumes. These over-
laps became the verti-
cal circulation of the
building and storefront
glazing to display the
concrete structure.
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MID RISE HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING IN CHICAGO
Site Plan with Landscaping1scale: 1/64”=1ʼ
Transverse Site Section4scale: 1/32”=1ʼ
Lower Level 1BR Floor Plan9scale: 1/8”=1ʼ
Mid Level 1BR Floor Plan8scale: 1/8”=1ʼ
Upper Level 1BR Floor Plan7scale: 1/8”=1ʼ
3BR Floor Plan6scale: 1/8”=1ʼ
2BR Floor Plan5scale: 1/8”=1ʼ
Lower Level Parking Plan3scale: 1/64”=1ʼ
Upper Level Parking Plan2scale: 1/64”=1ʼ
In this project, the site was a plot of land
the size of a typical Chicago lot; 215,000
square feet. We were tasked with devel-
oping a scheme that achieved a density
three times that of a typical neighborhood
block without rising above five stories.
This required at least 120 units. The design
was to incorporate a mixture of one, two,
and three bedroom units. We were also
required to design efficient typical unit
layouts. We were also required to provide a parking area to accommodate one car for each unit. My scheme provided a density of 152 units.
The parking structure is located at street level under half of the units. There are green ramps and stairways connecting each of the four levels
and both private and public gardens throughout. The roof of the parking structure is an extensive green roof so that despite living in a high-
density block, the residents could still enjoy green spaces of their own. The two-storey units create their own personal green spaces by their
offsets. The block is oriented so that all units receive southern light and overhangs are provided for summer sun exposure control.
SECTION SHOWING TERRACES
EARLY WIREFRAME PERSPECTIVE OF LAYOUT
19
PERSPECTIVE SKETCH FROM SOUTHEAST CORNER
AERIAL VIEW
20
3-STOREY CORNER FLATS
SOUTHERN FACES
21Typical Units and Block Layout
1 Bedroom Unit2 Bedroom Unit
Parking
3 Bedroom Unit
Parking
GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR FIRST FLOOR
BLOCK LAYOUT
1 and 2 BR Units
3 BR Units
3 BR Units
1 BR Units
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SUSTAINABLE PLACESFreight Depot/Chandless-Tynegate Sites, Gateshead, UK
This project was about designing a sustainable, mostly residential, development envisioned to become a prime example of the One Planet Living Principals. The site was situated in a prime location directly adjacent to the Town Centre, planned business quarter development, new International Sports Complex, and is serviced by a metro stop at one corner. There are existing residential areas dating from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and very recent also bordering the site. The site was, however, cut off on three sides by major motorways and the Gateshead Highway Fly-over bypass. One half of the site was a disused Freight Depot with few structures on it, but with some land contamination concerns. The other half of the site had an existing public housing development on it, along with a Bus Depot scheduled for closure and three 16-storey vacant office towers. Our initial concept was to break down the barriers surrounding the site and to weave the site in with the surrounding areas to provide a mutual benefit. Site analysis and concept was carried out in teams of seven students.
The team and site were then divided into two groups and two halves to design the masterplans. The over arching concept helped to tie the two designs together and ensure they would not be developed in isolation. I worked in a group of four students to develop the West Side strategic masterplan. Along with the development of the Strategic Masterplan, different character areas, street typologies, and open space hierarchies emerged.
The West Side Masterplan includes a Primary School, Community Centre, and Library. The Main Street was envisioned to include a bus route connecting through the East Side, dedicated off-street cycle lane, wide pedestrian pavements on both sides, permeable paved on-street parking on both sides, and a green strip contributing to sustainable urban drainage. The Access Streets were envisioned to include an on-street cycle lane along with typical pedestrian pavements on bo0th sides and permeable paved on-street parking on one side. The Home Zoned streets were envisioned as shared-surface streets as a communal area in which children could play. There are two main public parks in the area, one for leisure including sport courts and the other for community gardens and an orchard. There is also a square in front of the school and community centre/library.
After the Strategic Masterplan was finalized, each person took at least one character area, with its street typology, open space, and block type to work up in detail individually. These details fed back into the group work to produce the Illustrative Masterplan.
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3.1.5 THE CONCEPT
Neighbourhood Ribbon: Link both sites either • side of the Railway sharing a Neighbourhood Ribbon. Neighbourhood Ribbon to be the main focus of community facilities across both east and west.
Pedestrian & Cycle Links: Establish high • quality pedestrian and cycle links to the new Baltic Business Quarter Development and Gateshead Town Centre in the identified important nodes. Cycle Route to integrate with existing routes in Newcastle-Gateshead.
Links with Existing Community: Make • connections with the existing residential community.
Network of Green Space: Strategic green space • essential - Establish Ecological Green space within the protection zone to be a focus of a network of green space. Linking ecological green space, activity green space and a SUDS network both east and west of the site.
CONCEPT DRAWING
Masterplan Process
23
4
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Buildings
Pedestrian
Courtyard
Green Spaces
Trees
Streets
Home Zone Streets
Walk Cross
Key (West)Buildings
Pedestrian
Courtyard
Green Spaces
Trees
Streets
Home Zone Streets
Deck
Wetland
Walk Cross
Key (East)
1.0
INTR
OD
UC
TIO
N &
DEV
ELO
PMEN
T PR
INC
IPLE
S
1.2
ILLU
STR
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E M
AST
ERPL
AN
[A
2 Fo
ld O
ut]
ILLUSTRATIVE MASTERPLAN
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4.0 DESIGN CODE WEST
4.1 CODE STRUCTURE (WEST)
4.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The design code sets out the urban structure for Chandless/Tynegate site as a series of layers. They include:
Character areas
Street Hierarchy
Open Spaces
Neighbourhood Ribbon
Neighbourhood General
City Boulevard
Chaucer Edge
PRO
DU
CED
BY
AN
AU
TOD
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ED
UC
ATI
ON
AL
PRO
DU
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRO
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BY A
N A
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DESK
EDU
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TION
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OD
UC
T
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Main Street
Access Street
Home Zone Street
Local Street
Pedestrian & Cycling Only
City Boulevard
CHARACTER AREAS STREET HIERARCHY OPEN SPACE
Urban Leisure Park
Community Garden
School Square and Schoolyard
Communal Courtyard
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4.0 DESIGN CODE WEST
4.1 CODE STRUCTURE (WEST)
4.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The design code sets out the urban structure for Chandless/Tynegate site as a series of layers. They include:
Character areas
Street Hierarchy
Open Spaces
Neighbourhood Ribbon
Neighbourhood General
City Boulevard
Chaucer Edge
PRO
DU
CED
BY
AN
AU
TOD
ESK
ED
UC
ATI
ON
AL
PRO
DU
CT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRO
DU
CED
BY A
N A
UTO
DESK
EDU
CA
TION
AL PR
OD
UC
T
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Main Street
Access Street
Home Zone Street
Local Street
Pedestrian & Cycling Only
City Boulevard
CHARACTER AREAS STREET HIERARCHY OPEN SPACE
Urban Leisure Park
Community Garden
School Square and Schoolyard
Communal Courtyard
22
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4.0 DESIGN CODE WEST
4.1 CODE STRUCTURE (WEST)
4.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The design code sets out the urban structure for Chandless/Tynegate site as a series of layers. They include:
Character areas
Street Hierarchy
Open Spaces
Neighbourhood Ribbon
Neighbourhood General
City Boulevard
Chaucer Edge
PRO
DU
CED
BY
AN
AU
TOD
ESK
ED
UC
ATI
ON
AL
PRO
DU
CT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRO
DU
CED
BY A
N A
UTO
DESK
EDU
CA
TION
AL PR
OD
UC
T
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Main Street
Access Street
Home Zone Street
Local Street
Pedestrian & Cycling Only
City Boulevard
CHARACTER AREAS STREET HIERARCHY OPEN SPACE
Urban Leisure Park
Community Garden
School Square and Schoolyard
Communal Courtyard
Buildings
Pedestrian
Courtyard
Green Spaces
Trees
Streets
Home Zone Streets
Walk Cross
Key (West)
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Design Coding ILLUSTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE OF MAIN STREET
I took on the Neighbourhood Ribbon and Chaucer Edge character areas. The Neighbourhood Ribbon character area contained within it the Main Street, a Perimeter Block, and the School Square and Schoolyard. The Chaucer Edge character area contained the Local Street typology, Edge Blocks, and the rejuvenation of a local park.
Main Street is the principal route uniting the West and East Sides. The Neighbourhood Ribbon character area follows this route and also branches off to connect to the Town Centre. The Neighbourhood Ribbon character area forms the spine of the development with a mixture of uses and by providing the key public realm corridor and public transportation route through the community. The buildings fronting onto Main Street will be 3-4 storeys in height and have flexible frontages at the ground floor level with apartments above. These will allow for conversion from leisure and amenity uses to residential to meet future needs and respond to economic opportunities. These buildings also have parameters to allow for balconies and insets both to serve the apartments above and to activate the frontages. These parameters respond to sun angles so as to provide the highest quality spaces both for the residents and pedestrians below. Buildings on Main Street are envisioned to be of a mixture of styles and plot sizes. Also fronting onto Main Street and acting as a landmark building marking the entrance to the development, the Primary School and Community Centre/Library will be an important community asset serving the new development as well as the community of the surrounding areas. The green strip running along the Eastern edge of Main Street will contribute to urban drainage and also serve as the corridor in which street furniture, signage, and lighting will be located. This can be accomplished through an interweaving of grass, grass pavers, and permeable pavers.
NEIGHBOURHOOD RIBBON CHARACTER AREA
Neighbourhood General
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4.2.1.4 STREET TYPES AND JUNCTIONS
Main Street Section A-A Main Street Section B-B2m 1m 3m 2m 2.7m 6m 2.7m 2m 2m 2m
Main Street Junction Detail with Access Street and Local Street
Main Street is the principal route uniting the West and East Sides, connecting Sunderland Road in the south through the East Side and to St. James’ Road. It forms the main movement spine within the development and links in with existing residential areas. Main Street will cross the train tracks via an Eco-bridge, connecting the West and East sides. Main Street will form the key linear public realm corridor and the public transport route within the community. It will have a high quality public realm, robust and attractive paving materials and well designed street furniture. Main Street will be fronted by mixed-use and community buildings, generally 3-4 stories in height.
Main Street will:
Have one lane in each direction and on-street • parking on both sides of the street;
Provide pavements for pedestrian movement • along both sides of the street;
Provide pedestrian and cycle crossings to • connect the community;
Be fronted by flexible buildings designed to • enable conversation at the ground floor level as required to meet future needs and respond to market opportunities;
Main Street
MAIN STREET JUNCTION
MAIN STREET SECTIONS
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4.2.1.2 BLOCK TYPES
Within the Neighbourhood Ribbon (West) Character Area there is one full block, a perimeter block. Shared between the Neighbourhood General (West) and Neighbourhood Ribbon (West), there are multiple blocks, these are defined within 4.2.3 Neighbourhood General (West). Shared between Chaucer Edge and Neighbourhood Ribbon (West) are multiple blocks as defined in 4.2.4 Chaucer Edge. The School Block is defined as an open space in 4.3 Network of Open Spaces.
The perimeter block is formed by buildings with • flexible ground floor spaces and apartments or townhouses above.
This block has a communal courtyard area • containing a rubbish bin collection area as well as protected parking.
12
3
4
56
7
1 Access point
2 Private gardens for the northern-facing units
3 Communal parking
4 Rubbish bin collection and storage
5 Building depth 10-12m
6 2m allowable balcony and ground floor inset
7 Corner plots built to plot line frontage.
4.2.1.3 BOUNDARY TREATMENTS
Rear BoundarySide Boundary
Boundaries are where private properties meet • each other and communal areas.
In Neighbourhood Ribbon (West), there should • be no Front boundaries. Buildings should be built to front plot lines.
Rear and Side boundaries only exist in this • perimeter block, and only where indicated and should consist of low-level fences.Perimeter Block Plan
Perimeter Block IsometricPERIMETER BLOCK ISOMETRIC
PERIMETER BLOCK PLAN
26
SCHOOL BLOCK ISOMETRIC
SCHOOL BLOCK PLAN
School Square
Schoolyard
The School Square acts as a focal point of the two major streets coming together as well as a social space for the school and community centre/library. The Square also functions as the main entrances for both the school and community centre/library and provides sufficient cycle parking for both facilities. The Square provides students, parents, teachers, and members of the community with a space to gather and socialize in close proximity to the main bus stop of the West Side, but without inhibiting the flow of through pedestrian traffic up Main Street. Attractive street furniture that relates to those used throughout the scheme are provided in the green patches so as to facilitate people collecting in the square. Adequate lighting sill also be provided in the Square to provide safety at all hours and highlight attractive elements of the greenery and buildings.
The schoolyard aims to provide students with an innovative, active play area and garden for learning while not disturbing the residential area at its border. The active play area is kept tight to the school building and the more leisurely and educational facilities toward the edges to provide a noise and privacy buffer for both the residential area and the schoolchildren. The garden should be provided and integrated into the curriculum of the school as the lessons and habits learned while gardening can translate out to the families and greater community. A small section of the schoolyard is divided off for an outdoor community centre/library space. This space could be populated with tables for meeting, reading, or relaxing outdoors. There could also be provided innovative and interactive furniture to allow users to lounge in less formal ways. Green areas with grass, vegetation, and trees should be continually interspersed to contribute to a relaxing, stress-relieving environment.
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4.2.5.4 STREET TYPES
Local Streets connect into the existing Chaucer • Close development, attempting to integrate into and improve connectivity of the development.
Local Streets will be traffic-calm and facilitate • pedestrian and cycle movement along with vehicular, providing greater connectivity for cycle and pedestrian.
A minimal amount of on-street parking will be • provided.
Local Streets
6m1.2m 1.2m>6m >6m
Local Street Section C-C
Local Street Typology
EDGE BLOCK ISOMETRIC
EDGE BLOCK PLAN
LOCAL STREET TYPOLOGY
LOCAL STREET SECTIONCHAUCER EDGE CHARACTER AREA
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4.2.5.4 STREET TYPES
Local Streets connect into the existing Chaucer • Close development, attempting to integrate into and improve connectivity of the development.
Local Streets will be traffic-calm and facilitate • pedestrian and cycle movement along with vehicular, providing greater connectivity for cycle and pedestrian.
A minimal amount of on-street parking will be • provided.
Local Streets
6m1.2m 1.2m>6m >6m
Local Street Section C-C
Local Street Typology
Chaucer EdgeChaucer Edge is situated between the Neighbourhood Ribbon character area and the existing Chaucer Close development. It is meant to not only integrate into the existing development and community, but also to improve the connectivity of the development through the provision of new Local Streets and pedestrian/cycle connections through the new development to the Town Centre. The area is of a lower development density to interface with the existing. The housing typologies used, detached and semi-detached, again relate to the existing while striving to be ‘updated versions’ of the typology. The along the street, the houses can be built no closer than 6m to the street to allow for private driveways and gardens, though high fencing is discouraged. The existing play area in the neighbourhood is expanded and the equipment updated to serve both communities.
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MUSIC BOXMolenbeek, Brussels, Belgium
This project came out of extensive social mapping carried out in a one-week visit to the Molenbeek area of Brussels. Molenbeek is separated from the centre of Brussels by a canal. Molenbeek typically has an immigrant population, though some of the families have been living in Brussels for a generation or two. The people of Molenbeek are typically Northern African and Middle-Eastern in heritage, residents are typically families, and much of the population is Muslim. There is a problem within this area of unemployment and many of the potential workforce is unskilled.
In contrast, the population just on the other side of the canal is typically of European decent and the majority of people are single or couples and of the Christian faith. There are many artists and quirky bars on the Brussels side of the canal. We asked multiple people in the area about their views of the people across the canal and we found a lot of distrust, misunderstanding, and a general lack of knowledge of the others. There was a presence of music in both sides. On the Molenbeek side, this generally took place within homes or during the once-weekly market. On the Brussels side, the music scene was generally hosted in bars.
There were two organizations, one on each side of the canal that dealt in the creative arts, and typically with children; the Bronks Youth Theatre in Brussels and the Maison des Cultures in Molenbeek. These organizations have collaborated in the past on other projects and events. Our initiative can build on and strengthen this bond to bridge the canal.
The Music Box initiative is about uniting communities. Music bridges all cultures and languages and has a unique power for communication, it is the uniting element we can all understand. Music Box strives to forge understanding between these different communities that form Brussels, Molenbeek, and beyond. Music Box will begin to involve communities through school children, as children are constantly exploring the world, not yet having formed negative feelings or ideas about other cultures. The involvement of children often does, and will hopefully, lead to the involvement of parents and/or siblings, helping Music Box to spread through the communities. As the initiative grows, mobile performances and classes will begin to appear throughout both communities, further spreading awareness. Music Box initiative can also serve the community as skills training during the construction of mobile performance stages and eventually the home site structures. This will enrich the deprived, unemployed community and pass along time-tested and possibly culturally significant techniques of building. Through community involvement from the beginning stages and using donated and recycled materials, we hope that Music Box can be sustained and truly bridge the canal.
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Storyboard
1 2 3
4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11
Why Music?
Build Mobile Stages
Organizations School Involvement
Mobile Performances Mobile Classes Home Site
Build Structures Festival Kanal Event Activity in Home Site Growth over Time
The development of the initiative is best explained with a storyboard starting at the summary of the social mapping and ending in an eventual culmination of the project. This project is to be largely community-directed and is to respond to the community’s needs therefore there is no definite time scale to the storyboard.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
31
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I am very interested in Photography,
I enjoy capturing moments in
time, whether it be a work of
architecture, a piece of nature, a
cityscape, or an action in sports.
There is a charm to capturing an
image that can never be replicated
in time. I believe it also benefits
my projects, both architecture and
urban design. It contributes to the
ability to see life through a variety
and series of frames. My interest in
sports photography comes partly
out of my involvement in athletics
throughout my life.
Carlie DouglasBArch, Illinois Institute of Technology (USA)MA Urban Design Candidate, Newcastle University (UK)+44 07526 [email protected]