AIA Central States 2014 Student Design Charrette, Third Place Taylor Maine Stephen Howell
Ashley Weber Savannah Greenlee
Faculty Advisor: Joe Collistra
During my final semester, a team of myself and three other students represented the University of Kansas at the AIA Central States Conference for the student design competition. The challenge given to us for the 16 hour charrette was to design a urban infill “makerspace” and FEMA storm shelter for the our host city, Springfield, Missouri. We earned third place. The logic for our concept revolved around historical connections within the city. In a place where the cultivation of the land and harvest are so important, we looked to cultural precedents of inhabiting a region prone to extreme weather events. We investigated both the craft and shelter typologies of vernacular structures in order to build a complex of Maker Spaces that can inspire creativity while inhabiting the landscape in a way that speaks of shelter and security. The vernacular Dugout, or earthen shelter, uses the earth for protection against high winds. Images from more than a century ago show families standing in front of these bunker-like structures with pride and confidence. We used this technique in lowering programmatic space partially below ground. Buildings at both the East and West sites contain multi-use FEMA-compliant safe rooms below grade.
Sandborne Map, 1902
Tripartite Scheme
(Below) Dugout (1903) and Kickapoo Wickiup Structure
The historic fabric of downtown Springfield was also studied to understand development patterns. As illustrated by the 1902 Sandborne Map, the blocks that comprise our sites have had a “maker” culture for more than a century. This graphic presents a snapshot of a rich and vibrant mixed-use manufacturing and retail district. Its increasing density can be tracked from the 1880’s and shows a consistent zero-lot-line setback. This facade wall was effective in creating a cohesive pedestrian experience along South Street that terminates at Park Central Square, a featured public space of downtown and representative of the town’s optimism and respect for the public realm. We tried to capitalize on this pedestrian experience by widening the sidewalk on the west side of South Street in order to accommodate cafe seating and street trees. The west side of the street will receive the sun’s warmth early in the day melting snow and warming the streetscape for much of the year. This was accomplished by removing parallel parking on the west side and reconfiguring 60 degree angled parking on the east side only. This reconfiguration of the streetscape is a strong urban gesture that reinforces the pedestrian connection to the square along South Street.