Kirsten Hal ikSchool of Archi tecture + DesignCol lege of Archi tecture & Urban StudiesVirginia Polytechnic Inst i tute & State Universi tyClass of 2011

t h e u r b a n

ar

t h e t h e s i s

t h e s i t e

t h e p r o p o s a l

t h e c o n c l u s i o n

t h e a p p e n d i x

0 .0

1 .0

2 .0

3 .0

4 .0

t h e t h e s i s

0 .0

The urban ark is an Agr icul tural Resource Ko-op which uni tes the urban car and the urban park under one skyscraper. This study current ly takes place in a c i ty where underground parking cannot exist because of an under ly ing aqui fer and where the green space percentage is below the nat ional average.. . Miami, FL.

As Americans, we l ive in a car cul ture. People are reluctant to part wi th the independence, f reedom, and thr i l l that indiv idual t ravel provides. The automobi le has become indispensable to modern l i fe in America, l ike electr ic i ty and running water. The motor car promised, and cont inues to promise, degrees of f reedom and outr ight convenience in t ravel not offered by other forms of t ransportat ion. Unt i l there is another form of indiv idual ized transportat ion, the car wi l l remain an integral part of our society. But, i t is not a matter of just get t ing there. I t is , as wel l , a matter of parking there. Parking dominates both at ones departure and at ones dest inat ion. To park (or not to park) is the quest ion that anchors every t r ip by car. Without places to park, motor ing, even fast motor ing, matters l i t t le. Parking ful ly impacts how we create and use places in our modern wor ld. For Americans, parking lots and parking garages have become absolutely essent ia l . The country would not funct ion wi thout them. Today, space devoted to parking in the Uni ted States is easi ly as large, by total extent, as that of several New England states combined. Parking should not long remain just an af ter thought in c i ty making. Parking is fundamental to how modern ci t ies funct ion and how they are exper ienced.

Br inging together the car, the industr ia l , wi th the park, the natural , is accept ing real i ty that the car is not disappear ing anyt ime soon but taking the not ion of parking to the next level . For many Americans the word park holds aesthet ic le isure-t ime impl icat ion. Parks are landscaped places sylvan or otherwise picturesque - p leasure grounds to be enjoyed visual ly. Parks are protected places of ten enclosed by fences and wal ls, the connotat ion that gives l inguist ic t ie to such very di fferent k inds of p laces as parks and parking lots. The noun parking can mean a ground adorned with t rees, lawn, or shrubbery, as in a park, and i t can mean a landscaped str ip down the center of or a long the side of a street. What i rony! Nothing has negated more the park idea in America than automobi le parking.

The urban ARK uni tes the urban car and the urban park together in an unconvent ional way, but surpr is ingly funct ions s imi lar ly to how the American cul ture is accustomed to exper iencing parking and park. I t is a creat ion of a posi t ive t ransi t ion exper ience from car to dest inat ion.

t h e s i t e

1 .0

florida

The sunshine state is the fourth most populous state in the Uni ted States and third largest in water area. The cl imate of Flor ida is tempered somewhat by the fact that no part of the state is very distant f rom the ocean. I t var ies f rom subtropical temperatures in the North to t ropical temperatures in the South year round. The peninsula is a porous plateau of karst l imestone si t t ing atop bedrock known as the Flor ida plat form. The southern t ip is dominated by an under ly ing aqui fer, making any underground construct ion (other than bui ld ing foundat ion) impossible.

miami

The second largest c i ty in Flor ida, by populat ion, is rapidly growing with a projected 2035 populat ion of 3,278,000 residents, a th i r ty-nine percent growth f rom 2010. More important ly, the projected vehic le populat ion is 2,111,753, a s ixty- four percent growth! Parking is something everybody expects but nobody wants to th ink about. What is more, only f ive percent of Miami is designated park space, but the nat ional average among the largest c i t ies in America is th i r teen percent. The urban ARK is the solut ion for the people and the cars of Miami.

SW 2

7TH

AVE

SW 2

2TH

AVE

SW 1

7TH

AVE

SW 1

2TH

AVE

NW

12T

H A

VE

NW

22T

H A

VE

NW

17T

H A

VE

SW 3

7TH

AVE

CORAL WAY

RICKENBACKER CSWY

RICKENBACKER CSWY

SW 7TH ST

5TH ST

WA

SHIN

GTO

N A

VE

CO

LLIN

S A

VE

DADE

BLVD

W 41ST ST

ALT

ON

RD

ALT

ON

RD

OC

EAN

DR

W FLAGLER ST

VENETIAN CSWY

NW 20TH ST

NW 36TH ST

NW 46TH ST

N M

IAM

I AVE

NE

2ND

AVE

NE

2ND

AVE

SE 2

ND

AVE

BIS

CA

YNE

BLV

D

BIS

CA

YNE

BLV

D

S DIXIE HW

Y

S MIAM

I AVE BR

ICKEL

L AVE

MIRACLE MILE

PONC

E DE L

EON B

LVD

SW 4

2ND

AVE

NW

42N

D A

VE

NW

27T

H A

VE

NW NORTH RIVER DR

NW

37T

H A

VE

395 MACARTHUR CSWY

395MACA

RTHUR C

SWY

836 DOLPHIN EXPY

836 DOL

PHIN EXP

Y

195 JULIA TUTTLE CSWY

112 AIRPORT EXPY

95

95

95

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

PORT OFMIAMI MIAMI

BEACH

LINCOLNROADMALL

FONTAINEBLEAURESORT

VIZCAYAMUSEUM &GARDENS

DOWNTOWNCOCONUTGROVE

UNIVERSITYOF MIAMI

AMERICANAIRLINESARENA

ADRIENNEARSHTCENTER

FOURSEASONSHOTEL

JADE ATBRICKELLBAY

URBAN ARK

1450BRICKELL

SANTAMARIA

INFINITYATBRICKELL

50BISCAYNEEPIC

EVERGLADESON THE BAY

STEPHEN P.CLARK GOVTCENTER

PLAZA ONBRICKELLTOWER I

ICONBRICKELLN/S TOWERS

BRICKELLFINANCIAL

CENTER

PLAZA ONBRICKELLTOWER II

MIAMITOWER

MINT ATRIVERFRONT

THEIVY

WIND

MARQUISMIAMI

QUANTUM ON THEBAY

OPERATOWER

TENMUSEUM

PARK 900BISCAYNEBAY

MARINABLUE

brickell

One of the up and coming areas of Miami, Br ickel l has had the most growth of h igh r ises over 150 meters ta l l in the past few years. Within a few minutes walk ing distance are areas of act iv i ty s imi lar to that of the urban ARK. These, however, are low to the ground and blocked from breezes and views by the high r ise hotels along the bay. Adding another happening area into Br ickel l wi l l create a t r iangular loop of act iv i ty and wi l l br ing the publ ic to the water s edge.

JADE ATBRICKELL BAY

FOUR SEASONSMIAMI

ESPIRITOSANTO BANK

SEGAFREDO

PASHAS

BRICKELLIRISH PUB

PIEDUCKSPIZZA

SPAIN USCHAMBER OFCOMMERCE

BEFERALAW FIRM

GORDONBIERSCHBREWERY

MORTONSSTEAKHOUSE

PIOLA

JW MARRIOTHOTEL MIAMI SABADELL

FINANCIALCENTER BANCOLOMBIA

MIAMI AGENCY MARINHEIRO

THE MARKON BRICKELL

FOURAMBASSADORS

BLUEPARROT GRILLPLAZA

ON BRICKELL

HELM BANK

HIG CAPITALMANAGEMENT

YACHT CLUBAT BRICKELLAPARTMENTS

UNITED STATESGOVERNMENTPOST OFFICE

SUSHISIAM

BLUEMARTINI

GRIMPASTEAKHOUSE

BALANS

ROSAMEXICANO

BAJAFRESH ROSA

VITO

SUVICHE

ARCHIESPIZZA

RED BAR

MARY BRICKELL VILLAGE

CRAZYABOUT YOU

BANCOSANTANDERINTERNATIONAL

DELILANECAFE

FORTUNEHOUSEFORTUNE

HOUSE

S E 1 2 T H S T

S E 1 2 T H S T

S E 11 T H S T

SW

1

ST

A

VE

SE

1

ST

A

VE

SW

1

ST

A

VE

SW

2

ND

A

VE

SW

2N

D A

VE

SW

1

ST

A

VE

SW

1S

T A

VE

S E 1 0 T H S T

S E 9 T H S T

S E 1 0 T H S T

S E C O R A L W AY

S E 1 3 T H S T

S E 1 3 T H S T

S E 1 4 T H S T

SE

15

TH

RD

SE

15

TH

RD

S E 1 4 T H S T

S E 1 4 T H T E R R A C E

S E 1 4 T H T E R R A CE

BRICKELL

BR

IC

EK

LL

A

VE

S M

IA

MI A

VE

S M

IA

MI A

VE

BR

IC

EK

LL

A

VE

BA

Y D

RBRICKELL

BA

Y D

R

BRICKELL

BA

Y D

R

S B

AY

SH

OR

E D

R

BI S

CA

YN

E B

AY

5-7

min

wal

k

SIMPSON PARKHAMMOCK

SOUTHSIDEPARK

parti diagram

The program of the urban ARK is completely der ived from what is lacking in the surrounding si te. I t fo l lows al l parts of ones day from morning unt i l late night. Start ing the dai ly journey with coffee shop and bakery immediately act ivates the bui ld ing at dawn. The gorgeous sunr ises over Biscayne Bay wi l l wake the bui ld ing and the users wi th in. The af ternoon, br ings shoppers as wel l as park users to the ARK. The mult ip le park spaces over lap at varying places to protect f rom the hottest sun of the day. Distr ibuted retai l and casual d in ing act ivates users in al l parts of the bui ld ing, bottom to top. The stacked f ish and produce markets offer a place for vendors to sel l their f resh, local goods. High-end dining with late night bars and clubs wi l l keep the bui ld ing occupied dur ing the nicest hours of Miami s weather. Placing these at the top of the bui ld ing gives them the pr ime views of the l ights of South Miami Beach just across the bay and the best breezes needed in these typical ly crowded spaces.

HIGH-END DINING/BAR/CLUB

FURNITURE STORE

RETAIL

COFFEE SHOP

BAKERY

DINING

RETAIL

FARMERS MARKET

FISH MARKET

DINING

OUTDOOR DINING TO WATERS EDGE

SERVICING

EAST ELEVATION

t h e p r o p o s a l

central corerotating floor platesfloor plate structureperforated metal screencar circulation rampspark and parking rings

2 .0

central core

The central core is the main source of egress wi th in the bui ld ing comprised of f i re stairs, a mechanical shaft , one service elevator and three passenger elevators. The structure works wi th a system of vert ical and hor izontal I -beams intersect ing and connect ing at each concrete f loor s lab. Al l of the program f loor plates t ie back to the core as the pr imary source of structure.

MECH

ELEV.

ELEV.

ELEV.

S/F

rotating floor plates

The program f loor plates are comprised of two shapes, an oval and a polygon, al ternat ing vert ical ly. Every two f loor plates rotate around the central core a total of four t imes. This creates a toppl ing effect , but evens out the loads as they c i rc le back on top of each other. One cei l ing becomes the above plates f loor, which then creates usable outdoor space adjacent to the inner program. These areas can be used for outdoor dining or lounges. Where two plates over lap there is a rest room core serving four f loors using simi lar I -beam structure as the central core.

MECH

ELEV.

ELEV.

ELEV.

S/F

MECH

ELEV.

ELEV.

ELEV.

S/F

MECH

ELEV.

ELEV.

ELEV.

S/F

usable outdoor space created

cant i levers(toppl ing effect)one roof acts as anothers f loor

circ les centeredat each corner of square

usable outdoor space created

al ternat ingrest room cores(every 4 f loors)

floor plate structure

The f loor plate structure is a total of one meter th ick giv ing the program a strong hor izontal presence in a pr imari ly vert ical bui ld ing. The concrete s lab is the support ing structure for a raised f loor system al lowing for customizable f loor f in ishes based on the leaser s preference. The same is appl icable for the cei l ing f in ishes. A system of hangers is instal led to al low for at tachment of any cei l ing select ion. This also leaves space for al l HVAC systems. Border ing the per imeter is insulat ion and a metal c l ip giv ing the v isual of a cont inuous thick f loor plate.

metal ra i l ing

glass barr ier

customizable raised f loor

concrete f loor s lab

insulat ion

cei l ing hangers

customizable cei l ing

exter ior metal c l ip

perforated metal screen

A perforated metal screen wraps the program area to both di ffuse the space between the program and the car ramps and protect the most ly glass c ladded programmed spaces from severe Miami weather. The metal is perforated to let in l ight and natural a i r but a lso has larger cut outs to exi t the screen to the usable outdoor space and al low views of the c i ty. The screen is c i rcular to fo l low the oval f loor plates which contrasts the polygonal intermediate f loor plate shape. This creates four cove areas used for lounging, dining, or local ar t instal lat ions.

car circulation ramps

The two direct ion car ramps fol low a c i rcular path up the bui ld ing making the exper ience organic to the dr iver. One rotat ion moves upwards ten meters then levels to a f lat p lane project ing straight then making one-quarter turn before repeat ing. This fo l lows the rotat ing f loor plates and rei terates the toppl ing effect . I t a lso helps break up the spiral l ing of the ramps so the dr iver does not fo l low a monotonous circ le and keeps them aware of their surroundings and dr iv ing path. The structure is an angled truss which arrays as r ibs throughout the ramp. They connect to an I-beam which curves along the per imeter that t ies off at each column. The structure is covered in poured concrete wi th pre-cast barr ier supports at tached. The barr iers are hal f a meter ta l l wi th industr ia l cable strung in between act ing as the pr imary force of strength against a col l is ion.

pre-cast concrete supports

steel cable barr iers

angled trusses work as r ibs support ing the car ramp

park and parking rings

The park and parking act as one in the same fol lowing the pr imary concept of th is proposal . They work as a r ing wrapping the inner structure s loping upwards and downwards at an ADA approved angle to add depth and f lux. The park is s i tuated on the top layer to gain access to the sun, breeze and views of Miami. The parking layer is suspended three meters down by a large open-air t russ system. There are two rows of parking, both facing the outside of the t russ, creat ing a more open feel wi th in th is layer. Two lanes of c i rculat ion jo in into one at the intersect ion point wi th the c i rculat ion ramps al lowing for the dr iver to merge onto the r ing and f ind parking or turn around to descend the bui ld ing. The structure uses curved I-beams at the per imeters and inter iors of the s labs. Trusses span between these beams and array as r ibs s imi lar to the car ramps. They are covered in poured concrete wi th a barr ier in place on the park layer. This holds in the 12-18 of p lant ing soi l needed for the varying nat ive Miami plants and grasses.

park rai l ing

12 - 18 of p lant ing soi l

I -beams curved along per imeter and inter ior

t russ spanning between I-beams

concrete casing

truss structure suspending parking r ing

120 parking spaces per r ing

four cores each with f i re stairs, e levator shaft and handicapped rest room at parking and park levels for means of egress, structural support and convenience

t h e c o n c l u s i o n

3 .0

This thesis l ives the rule of a lways being loyal to yoursel f , to others, and most important ly your work. L iv ing each day to be the best version of mysel f inf luenced every aspect of th is year. I str ive to help others and bui ld strong relat ionships based solely on the work.

We are always.. . coming in.

t h e a p p e n d i x

4 .0

iteration one - october

The f i rst i terat ion involved two program cores wi th the car ramps weaving between the two. The back and forth t ravel of the car was an interest ing concept, however, i t made for very dark spaces where two would over lap. The park spaces were then arbi t rar i ly inserted and lacked in cont inui ty wi th the rest of the structure. Overal l , the concept had a lot of f laws and was deemed unsuccessful .

floor 17

floor 18

PLUMB

W

PLUM

B

W

PLUMB

PLU

MB

F/S

MECH

MECH

M

PLUM

B

PLUM

B

F/S

MECH

MECH

M

UP

UPUP site shape

UP towards views [aka water]

open space towards views [aka water]

what is needed in area?

HANGING ARK*growth balconies

*insert program

*alternating views of coastline and program

FLOATING ARK*urban park

GROWING ARK*parking

++

++

++

TEST SITE: COCOWALK

iteration two - december

The second i terat ion was the discovery of the rotat ing f loor plate system used in the f inal proposal . Using a s ingular c i rcular ramping structure for the cars provided a more organic dr iv ing exper ience as wel l as a quicker way to reach the top of the bui ld ing. The parks began to relate to the structure more than the f i rst i terat ion but st i l l seemed arbi t rar i ly p laced.

iteration three - january

This i terat ion takes a more organic approach at the shape of the bui ld ing in plan. Making the top of the bui ld ing inaccessible by car was not f i t t ing for the concept of the bui ld ing. And insert ing park at every level began to get r id of the park as they shaded each other too much and too of ten. However, lowering the parking area to below the park was an idea carr ied through to the f inal proposal .

DETAIL 2DETAIL 2

1350kg

1350kg1350kg

1350kg

ELECPLUMB MECH

SECTION A

SE

CTI

ON

B

iteration four - february

Completely abandoning the ci rcular structure of a l l the previous i terat ions was a test to the nature of the concept but proved to not be benef ic ia l . This part i was der ived from an area already existent in Miami which worked wel l as an act ive community. This diagram as wel l as s i te placement was used to help determine the part i for the f inal bui ld ing concept.

parkingcore/circulationretailcondominiumsfish/farmers marketindoor/outdoor diningcivic space