Flexible Islands, Amy Oh | Cal Poly Architecture Thesis | Studio Clifford | 2021

vol. V thesis.

2020-2021

Amy Gaon Oh Studio Clifford Bachelor of Architecture California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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ABSTRACT

This thesis reimagines the architecture of public transportation to align with the future of travel in the city of San Francisco, shifting from car-centric streets to public spaces that implement positive change through qualities such as urban growth, equality, culture, and sustainability. As new modes of transportation continue to be introduced into the flow of travel, commuting in the city has evolved rapidly and become even more multimodal than ever. Yet, despite constant ongoing revisions led by the SFMTA that aim to improve systems of transportation in the city, transit environments such as train stations or bus shelters remain as spaces that are undesirable, unhygienic, or unsafe. Consequently, revisiting the design of waiting spaces in transit environments poses the potential for a new standard for transit and street design for the public.

Designing specifically for waiting spaces related to transportation, combined with the integration of public resources and multimodality, allows for a more efficient and improved experience for travelers. This thesis explores transit architecture through both the analysis of smaller-scale station-street intersections as well as a larger-scale revitalization of the current Hallidie Plaza, which connects the underground Powell Street Station in downtown San Francisco to the streets above. The strategic design of station thresholds at the street level and the new Hallidie Plaza strives to transforms the current neglected and often vulnerable stations into desirable and active public spaces that embody the needs of San Francisco’s urban commuter population.

ABSTRACT

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THANK YOU. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to the following for motivating me and contributing to the process of this thesis.

To my family, for always supporting me and reminding me to show my best efforts in all that I do.

To my friends and peers, for being active listeners and inspiring me with their ideas and feedback.

To my professor, Dale Clifford, for constantly guiding me with dedicated excitement and encouragement throughout the year.

To Eric Fisher, for providing information about San Francisco streets through his own research without hesitation.

To the SFTMA, for the extensive work in bettering the streets and transportation in the city.

And to the people of San Francisco, for choosing progress and positive change in their daily travels to improve life in the city.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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01

INTRODUCTION

08 BACKGROUND

Brief historical context of public transportation

in the city of San Francisco. .

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MOBILITY IN THE CITY Current conditions of transportation in the city outlining ongoing and future SFMTA projects and ridership data.

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THE FUTURE OF TRANSIT Envisioning the future of public transportation and the factors that point towards positive change in urban environments.

12 ROADMAP

A graphic guideline of events that diagrams a

framework of architectural thinking, with key

dates and projects highlighting significant

elements of the thesis process.

INTRODUCTION

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Background.

Historical Context Transportation plays a vital role in any major city, especially in the city of San Francisco, which has the third busiest light rail system in the nation. From the early system of cable cars beginning in the year 1873 to today’s light rail vehicles used by 49 million riders annually, public transportation is a key part of the daily lives of people in the city. The system of mobility has continually reshaped the streets of San Francisco with its potential to create public spaces and connections that lead to urban growth and productivity.

San Francisco has an extensive history of public involvement in the formation of today’s transit system, with members of the community advocating for safer and more accessible systems of mobility as well as improvements in street design to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Traveling around the city by bicycle has always been a common and popular form of commute. The first bicycle club in San Francisco was established in 1876, and in 1896, a mass of 5,000 cyclists demonstrated through the city for better and safer riding conditions in the streets. Elderly and disabled community members also advocated for accessibility in transit throughout history. The “Transit First Policy,” first adopted in 1973 and still active today, has prioritized transit vehicles in the streets of San Francisco over any other vehicle. The policy has led to citywide projects for improvements in both the transit system and multimodal transportation system in the city.

Yet, despite the city’s rapid progress in improving efficiency for systems of travel, the spaces involved in transit environments are often neglected and unpleasant, with issues such as hygiene, safety, and defacement of public property. Stations and bus stops are a fundamental part of the daily lives of many people commuting in San Francisco, who experience these spaces and are affected by them. Implementing innovative ways to redevelop the waiting spaces through sustainable and inclusive design methods can allow for the transit environments to perform as social hubs that engage communities.

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Cable car traveling uphill. Image courtesy of Unsplash.

CHAPTER 01

Mobility in the City.

Current Conditions of Commuting in San Francisco Since 1999, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has managed all forms of ground transportation in the city. Currently, the SFMTA oversees Muni, the municipal railway public transit, along with bicycling, paratransit, taxis, parking, traffic, and walking. In terms of transit, the agency oversees the bus, light rail, historic streetcar, and cable car systems in the city, as well as paratransit.

Parklet taking over street parking. Image courtesy of Floornature.

The SFMTA has an extensive list of ongoing and future projects to improve public transportation for travelers in San Francisco.

In addition to projects that introduce new bus and light rail routes and street reconfiguration plans, the agency is involved with educational programs, beautification projects, and plans to redesign the streets as public space for the people. The ongoing Better Market Street program aims to revitalize the street as a center for the public, with less dominance from cars and more presence from alternative modes of travel.

In the year 2017, non-automobile travel made up 52% of trips in the city. Bicycle travel continues to remain a popular mode of transportation, with the number of trips increasing by 213% since 2006. Shared-use scooter and bicycle programs introduced in the past few years have also had promising usage from commuters in the city, especially in highly congested areas where population and jobs are greatest.

BACKGROUND

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Key Principles. “Transit Street Design Guide.” Courtesy of NACTO.

Station and Stop Principles. “Transit Street Design Guide.” Courtes

“Transit is a key that unlocks street space, bringing new opportunities to create streets that can move tremendous numbers of people and be enjoyed as public spaces at the same time.”

- NACTO

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CHAPTER 01

The Future of Transit.

Envisioning the Experience of Tomorrow’s Traveler Transit environments are not just passages but waiting spaces that people experience daily. As public transportation continues to become an increasingly integral part of the lives of city inhabitants, strategic design is more crucial than ever in framing urban cities. The future of spaces associated with public transportation (walk, bike, transit) require innovative design approaches that connect multimodal methods of travel, provide equal services for the public, and act as a social space for the city.

Cities and policies are moving forward and progressing towards more efficient and sustainable systems of transportation designed for its users.

The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), for example, connects 81 major cities and transit agencies in North America to collaborate and share ideas to solve issues in transportation. Currently the association presents guides to improve not only public transit systems but the spaces involved in transit environments such as the street. The “Transit Street Design Guide” includes guidelines to promote better design in transit environments, including six key principles for transit in the street as well as specific areas of design, such as rules for accessibility in platforms and tips for designing safe and accessible bus stops.

sy of NACTO.

BACKGROUND

Micromobility and autonomous vehicles will have a significant impact on the future of city travel. The growing adoption of shared-use scooter and bike systems have rapidly transformed the urban environments of cities around the globe. With newly introduced methods of transportation and a paradigm shift in the structure of mobility in cities, transit environments in the streets must be reshaped to combat the problems caused by car-centric design in urban realms and promote the positive changes that alternative modes of transportation instill.

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PRECEDENTS

EXISTING PROJECTS INSPIRING ID

OF THE THESIS AND THESIS PROJ

ABSTRACT GENERATOR

E X PLORAT I ON S

WRITTEN ABSTRACT OUTLINING THESIS AND PROJECT GOALS

COLLAGE ILLUSTRATING THE SPATIAL SEQUENCE OF A TRAVELER TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FUTURE OF MULTIMODAL PUBLIC TRANSIT

DATA MAPPING CONNECTING HISTORICAL MOMENTS IN THE EVOLUTION OF TRANSIT AND USER RESPONSE IN SF

HYBRID ITERATIONS MULTI-MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF INITIAL CONCEPTS AND IDEAS

SITE MAPPING DETAILED ANALYSIS OF COMMUTE AND TRANSIT ENVIRONMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SF

SITE ANALYSES ANALYSIS OF CURRENT SITE CONDITIONS AND EXISTING PARAMETERS OF CONTEXT THROUGH DIAGRAMS AND DRAWINGS

“S PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS PLANS, SECTIONS, AND DIAGRAMS ILLUSTRATING INITIAL APPROACH TO DESIGN AND SITE TRANSFORMATION

DESIGNING & MAKING

“QUALIFYING REVIEW” [MAR. 3] PRODUCTION PHASE FINALIZING DESIGN IDEAS AND STRATEGIES, STARTING TO MAKE FINAL PRESENTATION DRAWINGS

“DETAIL SHOW” [APR. 14] FINAL PRESENTATION FINALIZING DRAWINGS, DIAGRAMS, WEBSITE, THESIS SHOW PREP

"FINAL STOP"

“DALE’S DOLLS” [MAY 28] 12

FINAL PRESENTATION THESIS SHOW AND WEBSITE LAUNCH

CHAPTER 01

R E SE A RCH + A NA LYSIS

DEAS

TEAM RESEARCH

JECT

UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGN METHODS OF FIRMS AND PAST THESIS PROJECTS THROUGH RESEARCH AND APPLYING THEM IN INITIAL TEAM DESIGN EXERCISES.

FALL QUARTER 2020

“ABSTRACT SHOW” [0CT. 7]

DE SI GN + DEV ELOPMEN T DIAGRAMMING GRAPHIC REPRESENTATIONS CONVEYING KEY IDEAS AND ATTRIBUTES OF THESIS

INITIAL DESIGN STRATEGIES FIRST APPROACHES TO SITE TRANSFORMATION AND DESIGNING OF A NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN SF

SECTION SHOW” [FEB. 10] WINTER QUARTER 2021

SPRING QUARTER 2021

ROADMAP

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CHAPTER 02

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RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

16 GENERATOR A experimental collage analyzing the spatial experiences of a modern commuter in an urban area, studying the potential for transit environments to serve as inclusive and resourceful public spaces that convey the culture of a community.

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DATA MAPPING A graphic timeline that draws connections between different layers of information relating to public transportation in San Francisco, including historical moments in commute and statistical data reflecting public activity and response to the various systems of travel in the city.

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PRECEDENT STUDIES Projects and design proposals that address a positive direction towards the future of public transportation concerning new modes of travel, multimodal transportation, micromobility, and sustainability. These projects exhibit innovative ways to regenerate the street as public spaces for the people, stepping away from car-centric development through innovative ways that integrate methods of sustainability and social engagement.

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REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS FOR 20 SEC

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WAITING SPACE 50’ WIDE PLATFORM

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THE SPATIAL SEQUENCE OF A MODERN TRAVELER. Generator

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San Francisco has a large population CHAPTER 02 grows every year. Yet, the experience

The Spatial Sequence of a Modern Traveler.

Generator

San Francisco has a large population of public transportation users that grows every year. Yet, the experience of taking the train or bus remains impersonal, with waiting spaces and transit stations designed for function: moving people from point A to point B. However, with the increasing motives of taking public transportation - social, cultural, financial, environmental, - as well as the introduction of new methods beyond the transit bus and

HE L WILL BE ARRIVING IN 8 MINUTES

train - rideshare, shared-use vehiclesthe spaces designed for public transit have to evolve accordingly. As people are no longer locked into one method of transportation, mobility can create more spatial configurations, involving more than a starting point and destination, with no defined order. These spaces demand design that accommodates the needs of a community and take into account how they affect people during their daily commute.

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of public transportation users that GENERATOR of taking the train or bus remains

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shared-use bicycles and scooters - the spaces designed for public transit 17 have to evolve accordingly. As people are no longer locked into one method of

“A good connection between bicycle and train is an indispensable link for the urban mobility network.

However, underground parking facilities are often unpleasant spaces due to low ceilings, the lack of daylight and a view of the surroundings.”

- Silo

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CHAPTER 02

Bicycle Parking in The Hague.

Silo & Studio Marsman Completed in early 2020, this bicycle parking garage is one of the largest in the Netherlands and located in The Hague, a city in the Netherlands that is home to both the court and the government. Built in front of The Hague Central Station, this parking garage has the capacity to store approximately 8,000 bicycles and provides a safe and pleasant experience for cyclists with its unique spatial qualities, including white interior, high ceilings, clear directional markings, and back-lit walls. These walls also exhibit designs that reflect the facades of iconic buildings throughout the architectural history of The Hague using morphing tessellations.

Images courtesy of Silo .

PRECEDENTS

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CROWD CLOUD. Infrastructure as green roof

AFTERGLOW. Infrastructure as wind energy billboard

TRANSBAY LOOP. Infrastructure as public landscape

BIG BOX BOA. Infrastructure as cultural condenser

“Operating on the urban interstate, the projects test the ambiguities latent in its connotation as both a physical conduit and as an organizational network.”

- KARAMUK+KUO

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CHAPTER 02

(Infra)structural Opportunism.

KARAMUK+KUO A competition entry for WPA 2.0: Working Public Architecture, led by cityLAB in UCLA, this project aimed to reinterpret infrastructure through different actions and intentions specific to several locations in the city of San Francisco. By introducing a new aesthetic and function to these sites, the structural design strategies allow for the reimagination of four specific areas of infrastructure in the city, transformed into urban catalysts for energy, culture, and social interaction.

Drawings and images courtesy of WPA 2.0.

PRECEDENTS

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“The manifesto offers a radical story that might convince the everyday Angeleno that alternatives to car culture can exist.”

- Evan Shieh

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CHAPTER 02

Autonomous Architecture: Towards a New Transitopia!

Evan Shieh, Harvard University Graduate School of Design In this thesis for his Master of Architecture in Urban Design, Evan Shieh looks to the near future in the year 2047 and proposes a manifesto on modern travel that adapts to the automation of vehicles. Introducing a shift to autonomous commute in the Los Angeles transit system, he creates a narrative on the future of travel through the use of graphic story-telling, with specific examples of characteristics that represent the people and neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

He argues that while automobile dependency has reduced the use of public transit in the city, the automation of the car can bring back public transit as a “model for urban growth,” and transition the city from Autotopia to Transitopia in the next few decades.

Images courtesy of Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

PRECEDENTS

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WALK

BIKE

BARRIER

PARK

DRIVE

DRIVE

DRIVE

PARK

WALK

WALK

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2012

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2030

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PARK

DRIVE

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BARRIER

DRIVE

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PARK

WALK

BROADWAY THE RIVER BECOMES A PUBLIC SPACE BEACH CAMPO

9TH AVENUE STREET SECTIONS

STREET SECTIONS

Greywater restroom units that hover On thefrom water, the a newpublic type of public space is rendered: the images of the fueli of environment that refuels emerges from new transportation the scooter stations thethis scooters.

Thesenetwork. publicThese ne size, use, and distribution along the shore are directly informed by the restrooms also have multi-functional qualities such as water-hydrogen conversion system. Each unit within the fueling mat contain power collected by wave energy-harvesting components. In turn, resting requires and showering.

At the scale of the street existing lanes are re-appropriated in order to accommodate the new Water Scooter, encouraging a more efficient commute and transforming underutilized traffic lanes into useful urban territories. Public restrooms that hover above the street provide distribution points within the city where scooters are able to park and refuel using grey water from the restrooms. The restrooms are conceived as modular pods that operate as inhabitable electrolyzers and clip to existing street elements such as lamp post and bollards.

1FUELING UNIT

then capable of generating fire and heat from water extracted from the river. describes this system as a heated beach, which extends its seasonal use b into the winter. Also reliant on fuel, are secondary spaces which contain bar baths as a means to generate further personal connections with the water Emerging from the infrastructural demands for fuel is a new recreational land

UNITS SERVING

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STREETSCAPE

SCOOTER PARKING MULTI-FUNCTIONAL UNITS HOVER ABOVE

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UNITS SERVING MANHATTAN

CHAPTER 02

WATER FUEL: A Water-Fueled Scooter Network.

Silo & Studio Marsman An alternative to commuting by car in street traffic and crowded subways in Manhattan, the Water Scooter Network proposes a way for individuals to travel in the city through a water-fueled system of shared scooters. With fueling mats floating on the water, a new form of public infrastructure comes into play. Electrolyzers act as heating sytems in each of the fueling units along the mats, introducing possibilities of recreation such as heated pools and barbecue pits powered by the water-hydrogen technology of the mats.

At the street scale are refueling stations, where public restrooms can attach to existing street elements such as streetlamps and bollards while hovering over parked scooters.

PROTOTYPE ASSEMBLYEXPLODED AXON OF TWO DISPENSING UNITS

ing mat illustrate a type ew floating landscapes’ demands of the new ns an electrolyzer which these electrolyzers are A sectional perspective beyond the summertime rbeque pits and heated r-hydrogen technology. dscape for Manhattan.

G MANHATTAN

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002455 SQ. FT OF MAT

TOILET

+ HAND DRYER UNIT

CONVERTIBLE USE

FOUNTAIN

+ CIGARETTE LIGHTER UNIT

SHOWER

+ SAUNA UNIT

WATER FUEL POD #01 STEEL CLIPPING PLATE POD CLIP WATER SUPPLY

PRECEDENTS

Drawings and images EXHAUST

RELAX ON A HEATED BEACH OF BUBBLES ENERGY GENERATION BECOMES RECREATIONAL WATER-IN TANK

OUTPUT

SOLAR/ CLADDING PANEL

BATH

+ BUBBLE JET UNIT

The water pods create nodal spaces that allow extremely private activities to occur within the vast public space of the street. It is one's own apartment or office, distributed through out the city.

The water pod is an isolation device used to remove oneself from the courtesy of WPA 2.0. immediate public realm. The pods are deserted islands located within the street. The method of construction also relates to the concept of embedding faith in the small, individual agent. The

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In opposition the monumental public works swimming pools and highways of the Robert Moses era, the Water-Fuel Network is conceived as an incremental staging event. The growth of the network and infrastructure is completely dependent on the need and popularity of the water scooter.

The methodology of the Water-Fuel Network is that great things happen when small things accumulate. The floating mat, the electrolyzers, the modular water pods, and the scooters are all small components that can be controlled incrementally.

MANHATTAN SHORELINE

FUEL: INFRASTRUCTURE

Energy From Water.

There are two staging milestones in the business plan for of the fueling mats contain an the development ofEach the Water-Fuel Network: 2012 and thatofextracts hydrogren 2030. The year 2012electrolyzer represents the finalization the first installment of CL-AT,from while 2030 therepresents waterBloomberg’s for energy that fuels proposed deadline to reduce Manhattan’s automobile traffic by 20 percent.scooters.

The goal by 2012 is to have 2458 scooters on the streets supported by 178 parking stations scattered throughout lower Manhattan, 28 miles of dedicated scooter paths, and 4 fueling mat sites. By 2030, in order to replace the cars removed by the Bloomberg Plan, the Water-Fuel Network is projected to grow to a system of 14,193 scooters on the street, 1014 parking Fueling Mats for Scooter Network. stations located throughout Manhattan, 163 amiles of dedicated scooter paths, and 13mats fueling mat sites along the These form a connected create Hudson and East Rivers.

a floating park on the water in the city of Manhattan.

Heat and Water.

The electrolyzers transform the site into a heated beach system. The energy generation happening from the mats is linked to recreational possibilites. The heat generated by the electrolyzers become a resource for the public to carry out various activities such as barbecues and heated pools.

Public Infrastructure on the Water.

A network of fueling mats float on the water and become a new form of public infrastructure. These mats act as recreational platforms for public activity and engagement, ranging from activities on the sand to waterbased activities such as kayaking.

ADDED RECREATIONAL VALUE

VIEW FROM A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

THE 28 WATER FUELING MAT

RECREATION + INFRASTRUCTURE

SAND:PLAY

SAND: RELAX

WATER:PLAY

WATER: KAYAKING

WATER: HOT AIR BALLOON

Drawing courtesy of WPA 2.0.

CHAPTER 02

HYDROGEN STORAGE

AC POWER TO HOUSEHOLD

HYDROGEN

HYDROGEN

ELECTROLYZER ELECTROLYZER

HYDROGEN

HYDROGEN STORAGE HYDROGEN STORAGE

HYDROGEN

HYDROGEN

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

HYDROGEN

TO TO AC POWER INVERTER INVERTER CD POWER BUSAC POWER INVERTER HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD

CD POWER BUS BUS CD POWER

FUELFUEL CELLCELL

ELECTROLYZER

FUEL CELL

Redrawn from existing precedent drawings.

GAS GAS OUTPUT OUTPUT

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BELECTRIC CURRENT

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ELECTRIC ELECTRIC CURRENT CURRENT

PRECEDENTS

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Electrolyzer.

The water-hydrogen fueling technology WATERwith an electrolyzer, which is possible extracts hydrogen from water.

FUEL CELL CAPACITOR

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CHAPTER 03

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SITE

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SITE MAPPING A mapping of San Francisco with collective data that illustrates current conditions of commuting in the diverse communities of the city and relationships between travel and urban density.

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STREET INVENTORY A closer look at transit environments in the city, specifically along Market Street, a major road for not only automobile and transit traffic but bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well. The Street Inventory highlights common elements found in current station-street intersections.

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SITE CONTEXT Existing conditions of Hallidie Plaza and Powell Street Station in San Francisco.

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CHAPTER 03

Trip Patterns.

Number of trips showing the flow of travel between districts in SF. Courtesy of SFCTA.

TRANSIT

WALK/BIKE

Public Transportation in the City.

With the majority of the traffic congestion located in the neighborhoods of Downtown San Francisco, SoMa, and the Financial District, Market Street remains one of the most congested and transit-heavy streets in the city. Job density and accessibility, along with population, is also the greatest in this corner of the city (see following page). Transit crowding is greatest in travel in this area as well. Trip patterns also point toward a large portion of travel occuring to and from downtown San Francisco, both in public transit as well as pedestrian and bicycle travel. Pedestrian injury studies also show that while most congested, these specified areas in the city have less risk than elsewhere around of the city. For the most part, there exists more risk for pedestrian injury in areas that are less transit-heavy with no lightrail lines going through or nearby. With the amount of multimodal travel alternatives to the automobile, streets such as Market Street and other areas of heavy transit use should meet the needs of travelers and integrate the street to accommodate for the growing population of future transit and multimodal commuters.

SITE MAPPING

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DISTRICT CIVIC CENTER

RAILWAY

LEN PARK

LEGEND3

YERBA BUENA GARDENS

GREEN SPACE BERNAL HEIGHTS SOUTH OF MARKET

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SUE BIERMAN PARK BAYVIEW

Inventory of the Street.

M A R K UNION SQ E T S

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GREEN SPACE

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Current street conditions in transit environments consist of Inventory of the Stre the same elements throughout the city. However, most of POTRERO HILL MISSION these elements lack the capacity to accommodate the VISITACION VALLEY T .

Current street conditions in T S K E needs of city commuters. Common street elements, suchM as R A the same elements throug MAZON the streetlight, are used as static leaning spaces for these elements lack the LEGEND travelers wanting to sit and wait. Trees have become spots MONTGOMERY STATION needs of city commuters. Co PEDESTRIAN INJURY - Caused by vehicles. Circle size determines risk FERRY BUILDI TRANSIT STOP for scooters to lean on.

There is a lack of public space in rate, with larger circles representing riskier the streetlight, are used areas. Data courtesy of Eric Fisher.

BERNAL UNION SQUAR WATER these areas, with little space to wait or store bicycles for HEIGHTS travelers wanting to sit and YERBA BUENA GREEN SPACE BAYVIEW those who travel multimodal.

Analyzing the street in transit for scooters to lean on. Th LEGEND .

SUE BIERMAN RAILWAY environments calls for the introduction of alternatives that S T these areas, with little spa FERRY BUILDINGE T K R work for the people and combine functionality with A MUNION SQUARE those who travel multimoda EXCELSIOR Pedestrian injury studies also show that while most YERBA BUENA GARDENS demands such as hygiene, energy, and resource. environments calls for the SUE BIERMAN PARK congested, these specified areas in the city have lessM A R Inventory of the Street K E for the people an T work S T . risk than elsewhere around of the city.

For the most part, MONTGOMERY STATION demands such as hygiene, e Inventory VISITACION VALLEY of the Street. there exists more risk for pedestrian injury in areas that Current street conditions in tra POWELL STATION Current conditions in transit environments consist oflines going are less street transit-heavy no environments lightrail the same elements throughou 1 TRANSIT SIGNAGE 3 with BIKE LANE 5 NATURE 7 NEWS BOX 9 SHARED-USE VEHIC Current street conditions in transit consist of the the same elements throughout the city. However, most of sameor elements throughout theamount city. However, most of thesetravel elements these elements lack the cap through nearby.

With the of multimodal these elements lack the capacity to accommodate the lack the capacity to accommodate the needs of city commuters. alternatives theelements, automobile, such needs of cityto commuters.

Common streetstreets elements, such as as Market city commuters.

Comm Common street suchCircle as the are used as needs1ofTRANSIT PEDESTRIAN INJURY - Caused by vehicles. sizestreetlight, determines risk SIGNAGE 3 B the streetlight, are used as static leaning spaces for rate, with larger circles representing riskier Street andleaning otherspaces areasfor of travelers heavy transit integrate static wantingshould to sit and wait. Trees the streetlight, are used as travelers wantingareas. and Trees of have spots Datawait. courtesy Ericbecome Fisher.

2to sit TRANSIT ENTRY BIKEisRACK 6 TRANSIT RAIL 8 BOLLARD and become spots for scooters to lean on.4There a deficiency the street to accommodate the growing of for scooters to lean on. There is for a lack of public space population in travelers wanting to sit and wa of public space in these areas, with little space to wait or store these areas, with little space to wait or store bicycles for future transit and multimodal commuters.

SITE bicycles for those who travel multimodally. Analyzing the street in for scooters to lean on. There those who travel multimodal. Analyzing the street in transit 2

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9 t 2 TRANSIT E transit environments calls for the introductionthat of alternatives that environments calls for the introduction of alternatives these areas, with little space t M A R K E T S T .

11 s 3 work for the people and combine9 functionality with demands such work for the people and combine functionality with , CHAPTER 04 SITE as hygiene, safety, resources. those who travel multimodal. A demands as hygiene, energy, and resource. estrian injurysuchstudies also show that while most t STATION-STREET INTERSECTIONS 9 environments calls for the intr g M A gested, these specified areas in the city have less R K l 10 work for the people and c E T t than elsewhere around of the city.

For the most part, S T .

1 TRANSIT SIGNAGE 3 BIKE LANE 5 NATURE 7 NEWS BOX 9 SHARED-USE VEHICLES 11 STREETLIGHT demands such as hygiene, ener e ef exists more risk for pedestrian injury in areas that

less transit-heavy with no lightrail lines going 2 TRANSIT ENTRY 4 BIKE RACK 6 TRANSIT RAIL POWELL STATION ugh or nearby.

With the amount of multimodal travel of SITE to the automobile, streets such as Market ofnatives 34 et e and other areas of heavy transit should integrate

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n transit environments consist of ghout the city. However, most of capacity to accommodate the ommon street elements, such as ING as static leaning spaces for RE d wait. Trees have become spots A GARDENS here is a lack of public space in N PARK A R or K Estore T S Tbicycles . ace to Mwait for M A R K E T al. Analyzing the street in transit S T . introduction of INTERSECTIONS alternatives that STATION-STREET A R K E T S T . t.

-STREETM INTERSECTIONS STATION nd combine functionality with ALONG MARKET STREET POWELL STATION energy, and resource.

STATION-STREET INTERSECTIONS ansit environments consist of utCLES the city. 11However, most of STREETLIGHT pacity to accommodate the mon street elements, such as7 NEWS BOX BIKE LANE 5 NATURE 9 SHARED-USE VEHICLES 11 STREETLIGHT static leaning spaces for D 10 CURB ait. Trees have become spots is a lack of public space in3 5 ENTRY 4 BIKE RACK 6 TRANSIT RAIL 8 BOLLARD 10 CURB to wait or store bicycles for 35 Analyzing the street in transit roduction of alternatives that M A R K E T S T . combine functionality with rgy, and resource.

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The Site.

Located in SoMa, San Francisco, Hallidie Plaza is currently serves as a connection to the Powell Str transit stations in the city. The plaza is divided on the s through a tunnel. Since the site is a significant access

EXITING POWELL ST. STATION

POWELL ST. STATION ENTRY

HALLIDIE PLAZA EAST

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CHAPTER 03

a 16’ deep sunken plaza that reet Station, one of the busiest street level and connected below s point for tourists and residents

SITE CONTEXT

alike, there is a lot of activity flowing in and out of the plaza. The tunnel consists of a Visitor Information Center, scheduled to move to the Moscone Center a few streets away. Adjacent to the site is the Westfield San Francisco Centre, the historic cable-car stop, and an abundance of retail, restaurant, and hospitality spaces nearby.

37

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The historic cable car is a major form of public transit in the city The Visitor Information Center, located in the plaza tunnel, receives over 350,000 visitors a year

TUNNEL HALLIDIE PLAZA WEST

HALLIDIE PLAZA EAST

CABLE CAR TURNAROUND

STATION ENTRY

"A gateway to the city for over 7 million visitors a year who arrive from the airport via BART."

M A R K E T

This road along Market Street is reserved for transit, taxis, and bicycles

S T ST

In 2018, 4.2% of commute trips by city residents were by bike trips

5TH

WESTFILED SHOPPING CENTRE

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PLAN DIAGRAM. INITIAL SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

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Contextual Map. SOMA District

AIL

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SITE SITE CONTEXT. CONTEXT.SOMA SOMA DISTRICT DISTRICT

100 FT100 FT

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SITE CONTEXT

TO CABLE CAR & UNION SQUARE

TO CABLE CAR & UNION SQUARE

TO WESTFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE

TO WESTFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE

STATION ENTRY

MUNI PLATFORM [BUS/LIGHTRAIL] MUNI PLATFORM [BUS/LIGHTRAIL]

EXISTING EXISTING CONDITIONS. CONDITIONS. SUNKENSUNKEN PLAZA SEPARATED PLAZA SEPARATED AT STREET AT STREET LEVEL WITH LEVEL "TRAPPED" WITH "TRAPPED" VERTICAL VERTICAL CIRCULATION CIRCULATION BETWEEN BETWEEN CONTAINMENT CONTAINMENT WALLS AND WALLS NARROW AND NARROW EXTENDED EXTENDED LANDINGS LANDINGS WITH NOWITH PROGRAM. NO PROGRAM.

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EXPLORATIONS

EXPLORATIONS

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CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS Diagrams, plan, and section presenting initial approach to design through conceptual ideas including site transformation, program, and qualities such as light and interaction.

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Plan Diagram.

Initial Spatial Organization

BIKE HUB RENTALS, REPAIR, STORAGE

PLAY STRUCTURE

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HYGIENE STATION

CHAPTER 04

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PLAY STRUCTURE

HYGIENE STATION

POWELL STATION CONCOURSE POWELL STATION CONCOURSE

HALLIDIE PLAZA EAST HALLIDIE PLAZA EAST

PRELIMINARY SECTION. CONCEPTUAL STUDY

CON

PRELIMINARY SECTION. CONCEPTUAL STUDY

CON

Preliminary Section.

Conceptual Study

LIGHT CANNONS Urban Retreats

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LIGHT CANNONS Urban Retreats

CHAPTER 04

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EXPLORATIONS

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“NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA”

“NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA”

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FINAL PROJECT DESIGN Finalized drawings, diagrams, and presentation of the new and improved Hallidie Plaza.

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TRANSIT TRAN SIT AR CH I T E C

46 48

CHAPTER 05

CTURE IN THE CITY.

T RAN SI S I T A RC HITEC T U RE IN TH E C ITY.

flexible islan ds.

fl ex i bl e i s l a n san f r an cisco, c a

“NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA”

49 47

s an f r a

Connected to the busy Powell Street Station in downtown SF, the plaza is a crucial part in shaping the experience of those who enter the city for the first time.

It is often the first stop in one’s eventful day and also the last, since the surrounding area is not only comprised of retail, restaurants, and hospitality but also office buildings, Connected to the museums, busy Powell and convention Street Station centers in as well. SF, the plaza is a crucial part in shaping the downtown experience of those who enter the city for the first time.

“Hallidie It is oftenPlaza the first is anstop important in one’s space eventful in theday fabric andofalso the District. the last,It has since thethe potential surrounding to become area oneisof not the most only vibrant and of comprised exciting retail, public restaurants, spaces and in the hospitality city. It is the but gateway also office to buildings, the city formuseums, over 7 million and convention visitors a year centers who arrive as well.from the airport via BART. -“Hallidie USBID Plaza is an important space in the fabric of the (Union Square Business Improvement District) District.

It has the potential to become one of thePublic most Realm Action Plan public spaces in the city. It is the vibrant and exciting gateway to the city for over 7 million visitors a year who arrive from the airport via BART. - USBID (Union Square Business Improvement District) Public Realm Action Plan

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CHAPTER 05

“NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA”

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“NEW HALLIDIE PLAZA”

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[SITE INVENTORY] TICKETING

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PEOPLE-CENTRIC STREET AMENITIES

RECREATION

INFO

RELAX

BIKE RACK

BIKE REPAIR

DINING

[FLEXIBLE ISLANDS] 1

ROCK CLIMBING + TRAMPOLINES

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ART & EXHIBITION

RESTROOM

SIGNAGE

NEWS

NATURE

RETAIL

STREETLIGHT

TRANSIT

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Structural islands provide a platform for activities and purpose defined by the people.

These islands have the potential for transformation, as different types of attachments cater to different functions. The islands highlight the nature of the site, mobility, as expressed by the heavy foot traffic between street, plaza, and station. In these islands are variations in depth and alternative methods of traveling vertically through the site, including a skate park connected from the street level to the plaza ground. The skate park provides a canvas to the city, as local artists paint the bowls as rotating murals.

Moving spaces such as the pop-up space also features local events and opens up to the plaza, as well as the rotating bike storage that is accessible from the street.

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2]

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CHAPTER 06

06

REFERENCES

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY An index of sources highlighting key points and arguments. This annotated bibliography serves as a collective of helpful resources with topics relating to thesis research, providing a greater understanding and development of the thesis.

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A Global Sense of Place.

by Doreen Massey This text questions the meaning of a “sense of place,” which develops from nature and in reaction to the spacetime compression. Massey argues that a “sense of place” should be established so that it is productive, not harmful or negative, criticizing the nationalist ideas, xenophobia, and the intentional division of space. The text also defines the characteristics of this concept. First, a “sense of place” is non-static, and instead in the form of many processes.

Second, a “sense of place” does not draw discreet boundaries around itself. Third, a “sense of place” is not homogeneous and in fact, it can have conflict and ultimately even be manifested through its own internal conflict. And fourth, a “sense of place” does not detract from the “specialness” of another place and instead maintains its uniqueness. This text aims to improve the understanding of the nature of human responses, touching on in-group and out-group dynamics as well.

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Community Plumbing.

by Shannon Mattern Mattern shares a narrative of the Crest Hardware Store, describing how the hardware store, while considered a quotidian space, is a place that resonates with a neighborhood and its people, ultimately creating social order and shaping a community through its services. Mattern includes the words of store owner, Joe, who maintains his business as a civic duty in a way, explaining how the hardware store acts as a social infrastructure and a place for community. Mattern also includes a thorough history on how the characteristics of a general store came to be, as Samuel Rex, one of the first shop owners in history, served social roles by fulfilling the needs of his customers, who became a part of a community shaped around this space. Mattern argues that the hardware store is a common ground for a community, which responds to the needs and values of the members of the community and provides a gathering place for people to gain wisdom and share their perspectives.

Site-Seeing: Constructing the ‘Creative Survey.’

by Carolyn Butterworth and Sam Verdy This text explains the concept of the “creative survey,” an active form of site analysis through various means of engaging the community and process of design. The “creative survey” is defined through several distinct characteristics: It is not limited by a red line around a site. It is not only carried out by the architect, but by other users too. It is active, experimental and open-ended. It makes proposals rather than just recording what is. It can occur at any time through the design process. It allows proposals to emerge rather than be imposed. It employs language and codes that are accessible. It can ‘create processes through which people can, together, cope with change.

CHAPTER 06

The Accidental Planners.

by Nate Berg Tent City, America.

by Chris Herring This text higlights the issue of homelessness, seen in all kinds of cities, ranging from major urban cities like New York City and Los Angeles to college towns and suburban neighborhoods. The author describes the history of homelessness in the U.S., drawing connections between the time of Reagan’s administration and the contemporary chronic homelessness we see in cities today. The text also brings into light the direct connection between antihomeless laws, such as the banning of food-sharing without a permit, and the development of “tent cities,” which were in response to the rise in efforts to empty American city streets of homelessness. Some members of the unhoused community share their personal experiences in shelters, tents, and villages, revealing that the shelters were forceful and dehumanizing. They explain that tents and villages provided a sense of privacy and freedom, which they couldn’t afford or find at a shelter.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Ugly Laws.

by Susan M. Schweik In this thorough introduction to her book, Disability in Public, author Susan M. Schweik brings into question the American attitude that shaped ordinances throughout history to legally rid the public of the “unsightly.” This policing extended beyond inanimate objects and made it illegal for disabled people and people without means to freely occupy the streets like the rest of society. This was due in part to the American background and individualist identity that justified the oppression of not only the disabled and the poor but also people in countries under U.S. imperialism and Americanization, immigrants, and any non-white, nonmale, and non-heterosexual persons.

These laws also had the issue of clarity and consistency, as Schweik exposes the issue of “ugliness” as a standard based on one’s judgement and not universal. She also unfolds the connections between disabilities and begging in relation to the socalled “ugly laws” in American politics, with the first ADA created in reaction to these laws.

This article outlines the journey of how an abandoned government building became a large-scale redevelopment project after a group of activists staged a prank to spark interest in the community. In Berlin, the Haus der Statistik had a history of abandonment as plans for the building never made it through to construction due to issues such as lack of budget. A group of artists protesting evictions became partners of this social housing project after they dropped a fake banner with the words, “Room for Art, Culture, and Social Space. Because of this, community involvement occurred at an early stage, if not the beginning, of the design process, which was uncommon for the time and place. As a result, public participation played a crucial role in the project’s ability to adapt to the needs of the community and led to a rediscovery of the design culture in the context of the modern city.

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We Need More Boredom in Our Lives.

by Rosanne Somerson How to Draw a Project.

by Jose Luis Mateo In this text, Jose Luis Mateo outlines the creative process of a project in an order of specific phases. According to Mateo, drawing up a building project requires time as well as a skillful set of efforts, starting with a direction in the form of an abstract, which can be vague and general. Next is the structure, which is a system that consists of hierarchies of parts in relation to each other. After that comes the internal structure, which can be broken up into two parts: space and skin. Mateo also emphasizes that life is an important factor of buildings, with components linked to life such as lightness, airiness, and openings.

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As president of the Rhode Island School of Design, Rosanne Somerson describes her experiences as an educator and how introducing boredom to her students allowed for a better creative flow in their works. She argues that boredom is the key to creativity, especially in our “digitally determined lives” today, where distractions are constantly interrupting the daily thinking in our lives. Through her article, Somerson also introduces the idea of critical making as another way of thinking during the creative process, where making can actually lead to thinking and conceptualizing new ideas. She also highlights that failures are opportunities to learn and expand.

From Object to Field: Field Conditions in Architecture and Urbanism.

by Stan Allen In this text, Stan Allen discusses how the field condition plays a role in architecture and urban design as exammples of heterogeneous space.

Allen elaborates on the concept of field conditions, describing how the building in architecture and the field doesn’t have to present a clear boundary, but rather benefit from the conditions and urban forces for a better relationship through unity and connectivity. With his thorough study of the conditions that diversify a field, Allen reveals how the defining qualities of a field condition plays different roles in the urban environment. He also presents an argument against certain elements of historical architecture, such as Modernist architecture, for their experiential detachment.

CHAPTER 06

The Century of Biology: Three Views.

by James Dwyer

Biotechniques: Remarks on the Intensity of Conditioning.

by William Braham Written by William Braham, this text highlights the impact of conditioning in buildings and how it has affected Performance design, which evolved as advances in modern construction allowed for the different types of conditioning systems, such as air conditioning, electricity, and artificial lighting. Braham refers to Frederick Kiesler’s term “biotechniques” to discuss biological analyses of systems of technologies while describing the intensity of conditioning on buildings and inhabitants throughout the text. Through this text, Braham also conveys the argument that human health should be the “measure of design,” and that intense conditioning is not always helpful and has played a part in conditioning the standard of living for humans to what it is now.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Land Where Birds Are Grown.

by Cynthia Hooper In this article, Hooper describes what it’s like in the engineered wetlands of Central Valley in California and how it was altered throughout the 20th century to accommodate for better environments for the existing wilderness and endangered species.

She dives into specific wetland areas in the Central Valley, such as the Tulare Basin, to describe how ecological engineering works for sustaining wildlife in some of these regions. Videos accompanying the descriptions of a few major basins also showcase the seasonal shifts in these areas. Hooper concludes her article with her insight on the future of wetlands, which are not only valued as inclusive environments for rural and working-class communities but also valuable models that highlight the integration of biological and infrastructural systems. She argues that with ongoing challenges such as climate change permanently altering the environment, the preservation of wetlands will call for advancements in technology and strategy to combat environmental threats.

Author James Dwyer presents three views on the topic of biology and its dominance in the current century in this text. First, he argues that the biotechnological advances of this century will affect and benefit lives through the treatment of diseases. Second, he writes that the biosphere and its changes will have consequences affecting scarcity and endangering the human population. Lastly, he explains how climate change and biotechnology will intensify the gap between those with good health and those with poor health. With these three views, Dwyer depicts how ethics relates to the century of biology and how they pose the challenges of healthy living for all, sustainability in our lifestyles, and preservation of the Earth’s species.

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Dilemmas in General Theory Planning.

by Horst W. J. Rittel and Melvin M. Webber

Engineering Ecologies.

by Peter Trummer Peter Trummer discusses the increasing presence of biology in the field of engineering, explaining how engineering is turning more towards biology as opposed to physics due to the possiblities introduced by nature and design. This in turn affects factors in economy, ethics, and welfare of human beings. Engineering ecologies are becoming a significant part of the future of engineering, as ecological manipulation allows for possibilities in design through emerging landscapes, materials, and behavior. Trummer reveals through various projects the impact caused by the relationship between design and biology, as well as the potential of combining the engineering world and the natural environment.

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In this text, authors Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber describe wicked problems in planning, which are complex problems that result in subjective or indefinite answers.

They explain how social problems are wicked problems for designers and planners, requiring thinking ahead of all possible solutions in order to truly figure out what the problem is.

Rittel and Webber also reveal that these design problems never end with a final solution because there’s always room for improvement or consequences. In terms of the field of architecture, the authors describe the dilemma that designers face, having to solve the social problems that respond to the needs of the built environment. Despite the vagueness of the problem and its possible solutions, however, they urge that these broad solutions work best when they perform for the majority of the people who have different opinions and demands.

Do Landscapes Learn? Ecology’s “New Paradigm”and Design in Landscape Architecture.

by Robert E. Cook In this text, author Robert E. Cook describes how we reconfigure our landscapes through design and construction, understanding changes through a biological understanding.

Cook draws connections between the development of human societies and the development of ecosystems, with respect to the relationship between nature and human culture. He argues that ecosystems undergo dynamic changes in nature which correlate with the evolution of communites. This requires ecology to be considered in landscape architectural design, despite the challenges of predicting the outcome of design on land.

CHAPTER 06

Data Dive: Micromobility Continues to Have a Macro Impact on Cities.

by Peter Maxwell In this article, Maxwell describes how the adoption of shared-use scooter and bicycle programs affect cities in urban environments, with usage of these vehicles increasing 60% each year since 2018. According to Maxwell, micromobility has the potential to have a massive impact in the reduction of issues related automobile travel. Along with the removing harmful pollutants in the air, these shared-use vehicles offer access to more people and social interaction with pedestrians. With its growing presence in city streets, micromobility becomes a significant factor in influencing urban growth and street design.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Art of Modern Transit Station Design.

by David Moffat

Building Hyperdensity and Civic Delight.

by Vishaan Chakrabarti In this article, Chakrabarti, director of the Center for Urban Real Estate at Columbia University and a partner at SHoP Architects, defines hyperdensity as “density sufficient to support subways” and discusses its benefits. He suggests that hyperdensity benefits the health, properity, and sustainability of cities, explaining how dense cities are usually more economically efficient and sustainable. With his drawings he compares the factors of density in different major cities around the world and illustrates how different levels of desnities in urban environments are able to support mass transit.

Comparing suburban areas that depend on auto-based transit to hyperdense areas dependent on mass rail-based transit, he argues that the establishment of not only rail vehicles but also developed areas to support these systems are transit are crucial to the wellbeing of humans and cities.

In his text, David Moffat argues that great transit design involves characteristics of placemaking and civic crossroads that are extensions of their cities. They are exciting places that serve as a common ground with a common purpose for individuals daily. He also notes that because there is complexity and uncertainty for transit design with the issue of including multimodal facilities in urban areas that are already dense, transit stations cannot rely only on structures but rather incorporate the complex relationship between humans and mechanical and vehicular systems.

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Architecture’s Identity Crisis.

by Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan Author Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan reveals how the presence of architecture in the past half century has aligned with the growth of innovations in parametric design, as opposed to the ethical impact of design. She mentions designers such as Zaha Hadid, whose work focused on sustainability and technology but had little to no presence in solving the questions of society and politics.

With this in mind, she argues that the social impact of design should not be forgotten but rather the most dominant part of architecture’s solutions. She also presents several questions about architects’ intentions whether they are loyal to the client or the society, or instead providers of services for purposes beyond that.

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Swarm Tectonics.

by Neil Leach

Towards the Performative in Architecture.

by Branko Kolarevic In this text, author Branko Kolarevic discusses how the introduction of performance in design led to a shift in cultural views, no longer relying on a collective of statics but rather a network of layers, interactions, and complexities. Kolarevic also explains how performance in architecture became responsive to changes in society, culture, and technological advances as a mediator, existing in many levels of different realms. He elaborates on specific examples of performative architecture at the urban scale, and how these projects touched on a number of levels of performance. including response to human interaction. For example, he describes D-Tower in the Netherlands, with a performative structural system that uses biomorphic practices and also acts in response to the emotions of city residents through the display of light and color. He also concludes his essay by noting that performative architecture is not a set of solutions for a set of problems but instead a “meta-narrative” of a project explained by a network of different aspects of performance.

Neil Leach describes the concept of swarm tectonics, explaining how multiple disciplines have been studying models in biology in order to comprehend structural behavior. In a number of studies, Leach talks about complexity and complex variables that make up self-organizing systems, which also have a presence in cities. He suggests that cities are a result of a formation process as opposed to a clear masterplan, much more adaptive and less controlled by a single authoritative power.

He also argues that it is now the responsibility of designers to speed up design processes and formation through adaptation and evolution.

According to Leach, the computer has also had a significant impact on designers, as technology has allowed for the collection of information in processes and the power to control and manipulate that information.

Thus, architecture should now be adaptive and flexible formations that are self-regulating and able to respond to changes of needs.

CHAPTER 06