Fit Point
The Exercise & Health Science Campus Academic Project Site: Boston, America Collaborate Work Collaborater: Djuro Bartulica, Hao Ding, Yi Sha, Yan Liu Instructor: Richard Peiser Date: Nov. 2016-Dec. 2016
Columbia Point has worn many hats in it’s history. In the past century, it has functioned as a calf pasture, World War II prisoner-of-war camp, a dump, and a public housing complex. The area has, due to these major transitions, remained largely unplanned with respect to walkability and public space. A cohesive road network and open space plan similarly is nonexistent on the site despite the fact that a large amount of acreage is currently devoted to it. In order to address the concerns associated with the existing residential neighborhood and also to serve Mass plans for campus expansion, the project begins conceptually with the the creation of 3 new medium-scale central green spaces at appropriate walkable distances from the T-stop. These spaces represent the larger goal of establishing a more holistic and congenial green space network for the entire site. Since health, exercise science, and nursing programs make up the largest cohorts at UMass, the institutional incubation fostering research in health, exercise and food sciences and accompanying office space make up the major programs of the development. The urban renewal project not only aims to associated with UMass plans for major campus expansion (16,000 to 25,000 students) that must address existing residential and institutional uses, but also stimulates and improves the local economy.
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