Daniel Purtha Urban Design Portfolio 2019

About I am a designer, researcher, and a card and board game enthusiast. I have a passion for architecture, urban design and planning, research, analysis, and creating iterative design options based on data. I like to focus on creating innovative ways of improving public health through design, along with observing how social and natural phenomena can drive design. I also enjoy being able to represent these situations and design decisions graphically, discovering new ideas with each iteration. These puzzles, either complex or subtle, help me appreciate every component to the built environment from regional systems to patterns in a sidewalk.

I graduated in 2018 with a Masters in Architecture and specialization in Urban Design at the University of Oregon where I learned how to develop my research skills and thoughtfully engage with and observe/analyze the built environment.

Through these skill sets, I have developed a deep rooted passion for bettering urban landscapes to be more holistically sustainable and equitable for all that use them.

DANIEL PURTHA URBAN DESIGN PORTFOLIO

I am now looking to hone these skills and passions further by learning more of the urban planning processes and how to apply them. I am looking for a position in an architecture and/or planning studio where I can research, analyze, and synthesize design options based on data collected, create plans and 3D models, while graphically and non-graphically communicating creative ideas.

biomimicry: slime molds and city models

Portland Map with Food Hubs

Biomimcry is an essential part in understanding cities as living organisms. The goal of this research was to determine whether slime molds can tell us how to efficiently and effectively place food (town centers and transit hubs) in a way that maximizes potential growth. Using Grasshopper with the Physarealm plug-in helped visualize graphical data while using actual slime molds to compare real-time maximized efficiency and growth.

Living organisms have an essential structure of hierarchy: humans have main arteries and small vessels to carry nutrients. The same is true for less complex organisms such as plants and single-celled amoebas such as slime molds.

Slime molds are known for creating highly efficient routes to carry nutrients from one spot to another while branching out to find more. Redundancy is effectively reduced in order to not waste energy. Cities can be arranged in a similar manner: creating central hubs that mimic food for molds that can transport the cities inhabitants in the most efficient way possible. Creating intermittent hubs between major centers can help with efficiency as well, creating a web-like structure with the best possible intersections. This study was done to look at Tokyo’s transit system, with results that are almost verbatim to the mold growth model. With Portland’s current and prospective growth, the 2040 Growth Plan was proposed to position population centers and hubs in the metro area to create a potentially smart growth pattern.

Central Population Hubs Intermittent Population Hubs

Slime Mold with Portland Map Overlay

Portland 2040 Map

The Physarealm plug-in was run in four stages. The first stage was an initial test to see where the first signs of growth would be while stage two was to observe further development. The third stage shows where redundancies were removed and maximum efficiency was seen. The fourth stage is optimum growth once all efficient routes of nutrient transport were developed.

These observations made show that Portland’s 2040 plan is close to what the Physarealm results presented: an emphasis on an efficient series of connections to the east and north. While a main artery going southwest is essential for providing access to grow further in that direction, the southwest, however, becomes a considerably large hub compared to others that are closer in towards the center. Growing northeast seems to be only essential along the minor hubs, but could be partially due to a lack of any major hubs in that direction.

The actual slime mold shows a strong emphasis on the southwest movement, with very few growth occurances in any other direction. These results do not have a strong correlation to the digital model, but can be an opportunity to further explore a more efficient move in that direction in the Portland 2040 Plan.

Elk Plug-In

Physarealm Plug-In

Leaf Fractalization

Slime Mold Fractalization

Proposed City Fractalization

Slime Mold Vs.Tokyo Map

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Barcelona superilla design synthesis

Utilizing technology can help provide data that allows for more informed design synthesis, leading to prototypes that can be used where data is similar. My main focus of this research was to understand urban soundscapes and how to mitigate city noise while creating engaging neighborhood spaces of refuge.

In the center of each proposed Superilla block would be a large space that needed to be programmed. Moorish traditions of paths leading to a center that cannot be occupied by anything but a fountain inspired my design to use the city streets as the paths to lead to spaces of refuge while using elements to create buffers for pedestrian safety as well noise mitigation strategies.

Friday Night Decibel Data (PS+[MDL-60]+[EDL-60]+VD+VH)/10 = UE

As the number of residential units above the ground floor increases, so does the need for an increase in sound buffering. This is proportionately true for the “urban experience� or what is happening on the street scape. These two are typically related to the social phenomena that is measurable and can indicate as to what types of mitigation must occur. The ground floor use is also measurable, but is also controllable. If a more intense noise producing use is being developed, a higher need for sound buffering becomes necessary.

Fountain Decibel Data UAGF + NG + FA / 5 = RD

Readings at three different times in one day at the same spot

Light Construction Decibel Data

Decibel 10 Screenshot

Rhino/Grasshopper data visualization

Using visual aids such as photos while in the field helped to further compare sources of sounds. Given that the properties of sound are not purely additive, we started looking at ways to incorporate sounds of the natural environment into that of the built environment.

Part of the design hypothesis was to introduce landscape designs that would encourage greater numbers of biodiversity into urban areas to increase the decibels of nature to blend with the urban noise.

(GFBT+GFBH+WWR+TS)/2 = GFU Visualizing the data helped us understand patterns that occurred in the sample area, such as specific types of trees tended to create quieter spaces despite ground floor use. This helped us develop a series of formulas that enabled us to incorporate the individual data sets together, thus being able to suggest strategies to mitigate noise pollution in the sample area.

Calculation breakdown

Intersection With Design Intervention

Streets as path to center

URBAN SKETCHING

Capturing elements of an urban area through sketching and diagramming helps to look even closer to the urban fabric to help decide whether elements of the design are successful or not with the intention of improvement upon the next one.

It was my goal to understand the evolution of an overall urban design concept. Starting with a rough idea of how pedestrians and traffic interact can help see how and why some elements are placed as enhancements or obstacles for pedestrian safety. Once this is clear, the details can be observed such as way-finding mechanisms, landscaping, materiality, etc. With these observations, I believe a tool kit can be created to develop a blend of functional design that is safe, healthy, and impactful.

PUBLIC PLAZA SPACES:

UTILIZE THE WHOLE BLOCK:

DIAGRAMS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF PROGRAMS:

DOCUMENTATION OF DETAILS:

Providing public spaces for pedestrians to use as an intermediate space between the sidewalk and building can be used as an additional third-space, extra security, and outdoor seating for dining areas.

Putting walkways between buildings on the same block allows for points of entry for both public and private uses, while also creating privacy gradients.

CREATE PRIVACY GRADIENTS, NOT WALLS:

Using different materials and slightly different raised level creates a privacy gradient that still allows for observation from the private residence.

EVOLUTION OF AN URBAN SKETCH

ESTABLISH MAIN POINTS AND FLOW:

This sets up the main perimeter, penetrations, and spaces most frequented and areas of congregation. Patterns are beginning to become recognizable.

From established patterns and different features in the space, differentiated programs are apparent, along with forces that may affect patterns.

Materials can tell users a lot about the space: whether it can be inhabited or not, how to behave in the space, way-finding, or utilitarian purposes.

CREATE PIECES FROM A WHOLE:

Defining different spaces inside the whole will dictate uses and manners for which to use them. This can be done by differing levels, materials, or types of seating or lack there of.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SEASONAL PATTERNS:

If a river exposes a bank during the dry season, utilize this space to create a promenade. The different levels will also create a natural buffer between private and public spaces.

BROADWAY/PARK BLOCKS RENEWAL

The major challenge to this design was to find a way to develop a way to compliment two very different streetscapes with the same end goal of creating an engaging place for pedestrians. Broadway is a major arterial street with minimal bike lane space in one direction while the North Park Blocks are a largely underutilized park space with little programming or engagement from its store fronts.

Maximum permeability to buildings was a common strategy, along with storefront and sidewalk use, along with creating pedestrian focused intersections and using different materials and objects to demarcate pedestrian space versus automobile right-of-way.

NW Couch + 6th

NW Couch + Broadway

Existing Conditions

Proposed Conditions

NW Couch + Park

W Burnside + Broadway

A clear sense of hierarchy was the highest priority in the overall redesign of each street. A place for pedestrians to have a clear right-of-way while providing ample space for outdoor seating as well as architecture with permeable street level access. Street buffers are created by a number of elements including planters, trees, and curbs. The two-way bike lane is also separated from the car lanes. The North Park Blocks will provide space for the future Green Loop infrastructure, utilizing materials to differentiate between the loop and the rest of the park spaces. Creating additional walkways will help breakup large spaces of unprogrammed space in the park.

PORTLAND WELCOME CENTER AND TRAVEL HOSTELS

STAY STAY

WELCOME

research, collaboration, and incubator spaces

UNION STATION

Site Plan

ESTABLISH A MULTI-STORY BREWERY/RESTAURANT AND INDOOR RAMP FOR GREEN LOOP THAT IS FLOCKED WITH RETAIL. CONNECT SITE TO UNION STATION WITH FOOD TRUCKS AND WELCOME CENTER AND HOSTEL/HOUSING. EXTEND PARK BLOCKS NORTH INTO SITE, INCLUDING BEER GARDEN AND ICE SKATING RINK

Site Permeability

Site Intersections

Proposed Site Looking North

SOUTH CAMPUS BUILDING extension of PNCA

RESEARCH RESEARCH

PHASE 1:

Site Programming

The second phase of the development is focused more on developing the education and collaboration component of the site. Expansion of the PNCA campus to the southeast, along with adding a cornerstone maker space on the TPVUIXFTU DPSOFS BOE Æ‹OBMMZ BO PVUEPPS HBMMFSZ TQBDF XJMM UJF UIFN UPHFUIFS JO UIF DFOUFS 5IF HBMMFSZ XJMM BMTP DSFBUF B TFOTF PG BSSJWBM GSPN UIF FYJTUJOH 1BSL Blocks.

NORTH CAMPUS BUILDING

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BROADWAY RAMP

USPS SITE RENEWAL

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Proposed Site Section

STUDY

TEACH CREATE NW IRVING

The USPS site in the Chinatown district of Portland is the equivalent of 8 city blocks in downtown with a large variance of uses surrounding it. The goal of the design was to find ways to maximize the permeability of the site to ensure it doesn’t create its own oasis effect. This was met by connecting the PNCA campus (south), Union Station (east), existing retail (west), housing (north, west, and south) and offices (west) to the site. The future Green Loop is also planned to intersect the site from the Broadway Bridge that terminates directly into the northeast corner of the site, but is approximately 25’ above grade. Our solution was to create an enclosed ramp that eases pedestrians’ use of the trail without needing to go out of the way to continue the Loop.

PHASE 2:

LOUNGE

TEACH CREATE LOUNGE

DEVELOP EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION ELEMENTS OF THE SITE. EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING PNCA CAMPUS, ADD CORNERSTONE MAKER SPACE ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER WITH OUTDOOR GALLERY SPACE. CREATE A SENSE OF ARRIVAL TO SITE FROM SOUTH.

PHASE 3:

CREATE DENSITY. ADDITIONAL FIRST FLOOR RETAIL AND RESTAURANT SPACES ON WEST BOUNDARY AND INTERIOR PARK SPACE. SEVERAL FLOORS OF HOUSING WILL BE ADDED, ALONG WITH OFFICE SPACES.