THE GREEN BARRIER

An apartment complex in downtown Ithaca that aims to address and deal with pollution from traffic.

Location: S. Meadow street, Ithaca, New York, USA.

Year: Fall 2021

Green Barrier is a U shaped apartment complex, consisting of 4 buildings, that is located at the intersection between S. Meadow street and W. Green street in Ithaca. The pollution from these road made living here extremely uncomfortable. This project aims to revitalize the area by providing low cost and adaptable housing.

Site Analysis

UPON SITE VISIT, THE AMOUNT OF EXISTING GREENERY DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO THE CAR DENSITY. THE BUSIEST ROADS IN THE AREA DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TREES TO REDUCE THE TRANSPORTATION POLLUTION.

Unit Diagram

ROADS WALKING PATH CAR DENSITY EXISTING GREENERY

SINCE THE MAJORITY OF LOCALS HAVE LOW INCOME, THIS HOUSING PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE LOW COST HOUSING THAT IS ABLE TO ADAPT

RESIDENTIAL UNITS VARY IN SIZES DEPENDING ON FAMILY NEEDS

COMMERCIAL UNITS ARE LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL (SINGLE FLOOR) RESIDENTIAL (DUPLEX)

Neighbor Diagram

NEIGHBORS ARE FORMED BASED ON WHICH STAIRS THEY TAKE TO THEIR RESIDENCE

EXTERIOR STAIRS ACT A BARRIER FROM TRAFFIC CONTAMINATION

10 YEAR FLOODING

50 YEAR FLOODING

100 YEAR FLOODING

500 YEAR FLOODING RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINATION

SIMILAR SITES

NON PERMANENT WALLS

THE L SHAPE PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM BOTH CONTAMINATED ROADS

THE PARK CONTINUES BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL UNITS, CREATING A SEMI NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

THE PUBLIC PARK CONNECTS

RESIDENTS WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITY

ADAPTABILITY

THROUGH THE USAGE OF MOVABLE WALLS, THE UNITS CAN EASILY ADAPT FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

RESIDENTIAL (PUBLIC) RESIDENTIAL (PRIVATE) COMMERCIAL (PUBLIC) COMMERCIAL (PRIVATE)

BIG UNIT

A ROW OF PINE TREE IS PLANTED NEXT TO THE ROAD AS A NATURAL AIR PURIFIER

THE HALLWAY RUNS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STAIRS, PROVIDING A UNIQUE CIRCULATION

TERRACE ON THE UPPER FLOOR PROVIDES A GATHERING AREA WITH FRESH AIR FOR RESIDENTS

BRIDGE CONNECTING THE TWO BUILDINGS TOGETHER ON THE SECOND FLOOR

DOUBLE HEIGHT TERRACES ENGAGE OCCUPANTS WITH NATURE

MESH CLADDING PROTECT THE OCCUPANT FROM THE WEATHER WHEN THEY TAKE THE STAIRS

BALCONIES FACE THE PARK FOR FRESH AIR