City Reconsidered: Downtown Kansas City Recycling System Vision Study | Part 2

04 | CLUSTER STRATEGY 122 Concept 124 Site Conditions 126 Waste Management Systems 132 Design Proposals

120 | Clusters

THE CLUSTER STRATEGY

Through the measurement and modeling of material waste by land-use type in the Greater Downtown Area, it was noted that specific building uses generate different concentrations of materials. Clusters represent an approach to improve waste collection access and efficiency around specific priority materials in low and mid-rise private buildings with similar or balanced waste mix types.

FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM The goal of the cluster is to provide access to the four major forms of waste collection: trash, recycling, organic, and glass.

Working together, the owners within the site will experience an [CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS] improvement in the way they handle waste management.

VISION FRAMEWORK FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM

[INTENT]

[TARGETS]

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

[INTENT]

MUNICIPAL

RE-PRIORITIZATION

VISION

The cluster strategy seeks out urban scenarios that have mixed use developments,MUNICIPAL in order to influence cooperation between RE-PRIORITIZATION business owners to provide access, promote interaction, increase efficiencyORGANIC and improve the aesthetic of the 4 part waste INCORPORATION collection stream, by utilizing a modular waste collection system.

ORGANIC

INCORPORATION

THE VISION IS TO CREATE A MORE LIVABLE DOWNTOWN KC THROUGH A THRIVING MATERIAL WASTE SYSTEM, KNOWN FOR EFFICIENT, DATA DRIVEN, INNOVATIVE DESIGN.

LOCAL NEEDS REGIONAL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES

TECHNOLOGICAL REINFORCEMENT

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

EFFICIENCY

SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

PUBLIC ACCESS

COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

DATA COLLECTION

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

I NV E S T I G A T I O N

PUBLIC USE

LINKS

TO ENGAGE

CONTINUAL LOADS INTERMITTENT LOADS ORGANIC LOADS

EFFICIENCY

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

SINGLE HAULER

CLUSTERS

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

TO COLLECT

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

LAYERING ACCESS

MULTIPLE USES

FUNCTIONALITY

TO ACTIVATE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

MULTIPLICITY

COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

SHOWCASE

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

ORGANICS

TECHNOLOGICAL REINFORCEMENT

TI ON

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

MATERIAL COLLECTION ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE ACCESS BY STANDARDS

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

FUNCTIONALITY

PUBLIC USE PUBLIC ACCESS

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

MULTIPLICITY

PUBLIC USE DATA COLLECTION LAYERING ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE

MATERIAL COLLECTION THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

SHOWCASE

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

PUBLIC USE

RIGHT OF WAY

PUBLIC USE ACCESS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

EDUCATION AWARENESS

TACTICAL GROUND URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE ACTIVATE PLANE/SIGNAGE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

ORGANICS

TO ENGAGE

CLUSTERS

[TARGETS]

AWARENESS

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

LINKS

TACTICAL URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE

ACCESS

TO COLLECT

TI ON

MATERIAL COLLECTION

RIGHT OF WAY

MUNICIPAL CLUSTERS RE-PRIORITIZATION

REINFORCEMENT

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

[INTENT]

TO ENGAGE

TECHNOLOGICAL

MATERIAL COLLECTION

PUBLIC USE EDUCATION

CLOUD STORAGE

PUBLIC USE

LINKS

TO ACTIVATE

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

PUBLIC USE

AWARENESS

DATA COLLECTION

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

NODES ORGANIC INCORPORATION

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

PUBLIC ACCESS

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

RIGHT OF WAY

ACCESS

FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM GOALS

AWARENESS INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS MEASUREMENT PARTICIPATION STANDARDS

[TARGETS]

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

MULTIPLE USES HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

TO COLLECT

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

TO ACTIVATE

FUNCTIONALITY

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

Clusters | 121

CONCEPT

122 | Clusters

Collaborative Collection

Waste Audit Based on Collaborative Needs Clusters | 123

SITE CONDITIONS Why Clusters are Important Currently businesses and multifamily residents are required to privately contract with waste haulers for their on-site retrieval needs. Because of the dire necessity of refuse removal and the complicated web involved with hauling waste, the cost of these services skyrocket, and become a major account for some of the smaller businesses.

Some of the multifamily buildings have reported paying as much as $1,500 in a single month for their waste removal. This cost was accrued because of the multiple times the hauler had to come on site. The more trips a hauler makes, the more money they charge.

124 | Clusters

9th Street

Broadway Blvd.

The areas shown in green to the right are deemed clusters, a smaller strategy in a comprehensive plan for an envisioned plan for Kansas City’s recycling infrastructure. The cluster strategy will seek out urban scenarios that have mixed use developments, in order to influence cooperation between business owners to provide access, promote interaction, increase efficiency and improve the aesthetic of a four part waste collection system.

Clusters | 125

WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Needs

Needs Waste Audit

-Identify land use, and waste production associated.

-Identify what form of waste stream access is lacking.

-Identify -Basedland on use, landuse, and waste production production associated. can be calculated.

-Identify -Determine what form number of waste of modules stream to meet access waste is lacking. needs.

Waste Location Audit

Location

placement -Based on-Bin landuse, wasteis primarily based on truck production canaccessibilty. be calculated.

-Convenience, based off off amount of -Determine number of modules waste needs. produced is also considered to meet waste

-Bin placement is primarily based on truck accessibilty.

-Convenience, based off off amount of waste produced is also considered

s

Existing Conditions

Result

leys, buildings. any times

-Multiple bins cluttering alleys, parking lots, and sides of buildings.

-Multiple trucks on site many times a week for trash pick-up.

-Buildings lack access to different forms of material waste collection.

-Outrageous rates for waste collection services

-One collection point -Pick-up frequency reduced, decreasing amount of trucks on site.

-All buildings have access different forms of material waste collection -Owners gain bargaining power to negotiate lower rates for service

ifferent ollection. ste

Audit

Location

landuse, waste n can be calculated. ne number of modules aste needs.

-Bin placement is primarily based on truck accessibilty.

-Convenience, based off off amount of waste produced is also considered

Result Waste Audit

-Based on landuse, waste production can be calculated.

-Determine number of modules Needs to meet waste needs.

-Identify land use, and waste production associated.

-Identify what form of waste stream access is lacking.

e, and waste ociated. orm of waste s lacking.

Location

-Bin placement is primarily based on truck accessibilty.

-Convenience, based off off amount of Waste Audit is also considered waste produced -Based on landuse, waste production can be calculated.

-Determine number of modules to meet waste needs.

Location

-Bin placement is primarily based on truck accessibilty.

-Convenience, based off off amount of waste produced is also considered

-One collection point -Pick-up frequency reduced, decreasing amount of trucks on site.

-All buildings have access different forms of material waste collection -Owners gain bargaining power to negotiate lower rates for service

Result -One collection point -Pick-up frequency reduced, decreasing amount of trucks on site.

-All buildings have access different forms of material waste collection -Owners gain bargaining power to negotiate lower rates for service

126 | Clusters

Result -One collection point -Pick-up frequency reduced, decreasing amount of trucks on site.

-All buildings have access different forms of material waste collection -Owners gain bargaining power to negotiate lower rates for service

Clusters | 127

Waste Load Calculations The four waste streams the cluster strategy chose to focus on are comingled recyclables, trash, organics, and glass. Landfill destined items, for the foreseeable future, will not be eliminated.

Comingled recyclables are single streamed because Kansas City is currently equipped to handle this. Glass is kept separate because of the need for clean product, and Kansas City is also equipped for this waste stream. Organic waste, if composted correctly, will alone divert 40% of waste from landfills, and will aid in Kansas City’s stormwater management.

To address the problems stated earlier, an in-depth study of a particular area, located in northwestern portion of Kansas City’s CBD at 9th and Broadway, was conducted. This area contains four city blocks with twelve buildings. The study aimed to improve waste collection and retrieval processes, improve convenience of the users and the haulers, and improve recycling access to the buildings that are not served under the current city recycling policy.

This cluster was chosen to be examined because of the diverse land uses and building density. What little space is left in these sites contain cluttered trash and recycling dumpsters, leaving an undesirable amount of underutilized space. This site would be a prototypical site for a new bin collection system, serving the buildings who invest.

CONVENIENCE FOR USERS & HAULERS

KEY FOB SECURITY

HIGH TECH BINS

128 | Clusters

The goal is to create a collection vessel to hold a weeks’ worth of multiple buildings’ waste and improve current spatial conditions, so leftover spaces can be programmed for other use. The research and analysis that lead to the designed object, which could be prototypical for other clusters located throughout Kansas City.

First, the waste amounts from each building was investigated.

This research set the framework for bin capacity. Each building, depending on its land use, would be likely to produce certain amounts of trash. MARC Solid Waste District provided baseline data of quantities. These numbers were applied to the land uses in the cluster to find the bin sizes needed to specifically fit their waste needs.

It was found that the cluster typically produced a large amount of recyclables and trash: 57 cubic yards worth in a single week.

82% of all waste was recyclable. Breaking it down into the four different waste streams, 10 cubic yards of trash, 37 cubic yards of comingled recyclables, 9 cubic yards of organic waste, and 1 cubic yard of glass. The proposed design then breaks down the cluster into more manageable sub-clusters. These sub-clusters will help to create convenience for the users because the waste collection system to be designed will be located closer to the buildings using it.

9 th

et

et

Stre

Stre

9 th

Waste loads d Adwabreak down of each building by material y Blv

d y Blv dwa

Broa

Broa

Organics

bles

Glass

South Sub Cluster

North Sub Cluster

Total: 6.25 YD3

Total: 6 YD3

Organics

South Sub Cluster

North Sub Cluster

Total: 1 YD3

Total: .25 YD3

Glass

9th

9th

9th

et

et

et

Stre

Stre

Stre

d y Blv dwa

d y Blv dwa

Broa

d y Blv dwa

Broa

Broa

Recyclables

Trash

Trash

South Sub Cluster

North Sub Cluster

South Sub Cluster

North Sub Cluster

Total: 11 YD3

Total: 5.75 YD3

Total: 40.5 YD3

Total: 20.25 YD3

Recyclables

Organics

3 x 2YD Trash 2 x 2YD Recycling

Coffee Lofts $204.84/mo Trash and $31.75/mo Recycling from Deffenbaugh with $23.97/mo for fuel and env. fees, Weekly pick-up 5 barrels (49-65 residents)

1

5

Lucas Place Lofts Deffenbaugh collects their trash three times a week. They don’t believe that a cluster is a good idea. The tenants won’t want to participate.

(195 residents)

6

Epstein Hardware Deffenbaugh collects trash once a week for $55/month.

They take their own recycling to a drop-off center two to three times a week. They believe the cluster would be a great idea, especially anything that makes it easier to recycle.

(3 residents)

2

Brooks Grease Service

7th Street

4

Deffenbaugh

3

2YD 2YD

1 x 2YD Trash 1 x 2YD Glass 2YD 2YD 2YD

Deffenbaugh

2YD

2YD

2YD 2YD

95 95 95 95 95 2YD

95 95 95

1 x 8YD Comp. Trash 1 x 8YD Recycling

Ted’s Trash 1 x 2YD Trash

4

5

8th Street

6

8YD

8YD

34YD

Wyandotte

Central Street

Broadway Blvd

9th Street

10th Street

Ownership

Existing Waste Conditions

Ownership Scale 1:100

Sub Cluster

1 x 2YD Grease

8YD

2YD

4

5 x 95GAL Recycling 1 x 2YD Trash

Republic Services 1 x 8YD Compactor 3 x 2YD Trash 3x 95GAL Recycling

SOHO West Lofts Share costs with the HOA. More importantly, they already do cluster collection here and in other locations.

(133 residents) DST Realty On site comingled compactors.

Deffenbaugh

2YD

3

Republic Services

2YD

2

Roaster’s Block The Roaster’s Block is still under construction so there’s no information.

(209 residents)

May Street

1

Contributers

Division of Space

Republic Services 1 x 34YD Comp. Trash

Likes idea but doesn’t currently Cluster Likes idea and currently Clusters Doesn’t like idea No response

Acceptance

Truck Routes

Truck Accessibility

Viewshed Clusters | 131

DESIGN PROPOSALS Operations of Waste Collection System Ventilation Some of the designed features include a passive ventilation system. Due to the nature of waste, odor control is an important issue. The tops of the vessels are opaque colored recycled HDPE with a roof that acts like a trombe wall. When the sun’s rays heat the roof, air is forced out through openings in the roof, also drawing out the odors. When oriented correctly with prevailing wind patterns, negative pressure zones will be created on the peak side, also drawing air out using the stack effect.

Accessibility Another important feature of the 4U Waste Collection System is ADA accessibility. The height of the waste bucket that raises by a lever to top feed the bin is at 36” at resting position. At that resting position, it is always ready to accept the waste for people. Given the right gear reductions, torsion spring, and gravity assist, even a child can operate the system. The walk-in module for smaller scale collection has a turning radius of five feet, making it ADA compliant for wheelchair bound users.

Technology Integrating technology into the structure will ensure its efficiency and success. A device currently on the market, Enevo ONe, measures amounts collected in a bin. This device then performs two functions.

First, it saves data for a cluster’s waste audit. Then, it will alert the haulers if the bin is at capacity. Pickups could be made by necessity rather than a regular schedule.

All technology and mechanical systems with power generated from photovoltaic cells are located on the trombe roof. These solar cells produce an average of 7500 kW in a year. The energy needed to run all mechanical systems, running about an hour and a half a week, needs a total of .6 kW of energy per week, leaving a surplus of over 7000kW of energy a year. This energy can be saved or used to cover nearby energy needs. If excess energy was bought from the owners of the 4U Waste Collection System, then the money could pay for the cluster’s hauling services. Tax incentives could also be made when purchasing photovoltaics.

132 | Clusters

Solar Rotation Orientation

Passive Ventilation

Waste Stream Identity

Data Driven Collection

Additive Modules

Detail Connection Clusters | 133

1

Roll Out Container Sled Overhang

2

7

3

Waste Loading Bucket

4

Hauler Provided Bin

5

GreenCast Acrylic Panel

6

Recycled Plastic Panel HDPE

7 8 9 10 11

Clear Arcylic Solar Cell 2x2x1/4 HSS 4x4x1/4 HSS Ventilation Cowl HDPE Access Door

10 1

6

4

6 5

8 9

6

6

11

5

5

3

Exploded Axon

2

Section

Plan

Users & Haulers

136 | Clusters

Implementation Strategy

Haulers

City

Building Owners

Pilot Program: City Run

Cost Per Module Photovoltaic Cells - $1,070 Recycled HDPE - $1,862 Sandblasted Translucent Recycled Acrylic - $5,321 Wire - $52 Steel - $1,494

Haulers

City

Building Owners

$9,799 Cost Per 3 Module System Photovoltaic Cells - $3,208 Recycled HDPE - $5,584 Sandblasted Translucent Recycled Acrylic - $15,963 Wire - $155 Steel - $4,482 $29,392

Adoption Plan Clusters | 137

Hauler Operation

User Operation Clusters | 139

Designed to be Convenient and Alleviate More Space For the system to become convenient and efficient for both sides, users and haulers, there are certain mechanical systems at play. On the user side a waste bucket is used to place waste on, then with the pull of a lever, lifts the waste up and over to top feed the bin. This move makes the system more interactive with the users, changing their perception on what it means to take out the trash.

Upon retrieval, a hauler would pull up alongside the modules and trip a sensor that would activate a sled that holds the bin. The sled would move outward and stop at the optimum position for a front-loading truck to insert the tines and unload. The technique here allows more flexibility of where the bin can be placed. This is a much improvement from the current dumpster retrieval methods which require 65ft of approach distance and a 34ft of outside turning radius.

North Site Plans

The bin itself was a driver for the module dimensions, 8ft x 8ft. The bin had to be at the correct width for the truck to lift and for the haulers to not buy additional equipment. It needed to be large enough to hold a week’s worth of refuse. The bin size was made to hold 9 cubic yards. Depending on the waste loads of the cluster, many modules could be used to fit the needs.

South Site Plans 140 | Clusters

Broadway Blvd

9th Street

Changing Public Perceptions About Waste The public realm would benefit from a designed object that could effectively alleviate some of the unsightly bins on site. For truck access to these bins, they are generally located in an area that has high visibility. The perception the public has towards waste is, not surprisingly, unpleasant. It’s all too often that one finds dumpsters tucked away in dark alleys because people are not willing to accept its vital role in the city’s infrastructure. In addition, bins are typically not well maintained. Changing the perception of the public is an issue that must be addressed through recycling infrastructure design.

Custom Fit to Improve Accessibility, Efficiency, and Aesthetics The cluster strategy can create ways for multifamily and commercial buildings to have access to the four major waste streams, keep trucks on site to a minimum, provide the right capacity bins at a shared point, and change the public’s view on what a dumpster can be. The cluster strategy should make the current standard accessible, convenient, economical, and aesthetically pleasing. A shared point collection system is thought to be placed on every cluster in Kansas City, and can easily be customized to handle the waste needs of the cluster. The vessel made to house the necessary waste loads, should be standardized and modular to reduce cost associated with manufacturing and construction. Each module should have a designed user interface that deals with the capacity of loads, and to remain ADA compliant, user friendly, and fun. Technology should also be integrated for data collection and security to address these problems and responding to some problems associated with the current collection methods.

The designed bin system can be customized to fit the demands of any cluster by simply adding as many modules needed. Called the 4U Waste Collection System, this vessel can be standardized and mostly prefabricated in a factory and be shipped out on site with minimal welding and easy installation. As mentioned before the design, is a modular system that uses colored recycled plastic to designate the waste stream associated; black for trash, blue for recycling, green for organic, and purple for glass. These colors were picked based off Kansas City’s trends. People will now associate these colors with the material waste stream.

142 | Clusters

CONCLUSION The 4U Waste Collection System addresses many issues. It was shown that there is an underserved population in Kansas City that currently doesn’t have access to the four forms of waste material recycling. This collection strategy is away for buildings to cooperate with one another to gain the opportunity to build civic pride by recycling. When installed, the collection system will improve efficiency and convenience for both the users and haulers. Implementing this strategy and placing waste collection in the public realm will change people’s perception of what it means to throw away material. Recycling is a small, but important part of building a sustainable future, and it doesn’t have to be unsightly.

Clusters | 145

05 | ORGANIC NODE 150 Concept 156 Site Conditions 168 Organic Waste Systems 172 Design Proposal

148 | Organic Node

ORGANIC NODE What is an Organic Node?

Organic nodes are sites centered around the promotion and action towards composing organic waste in Downtown Kansas City. They engage under utilized spaces adjacent to the right-ofway to improve the public realms.

FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM 12th and Holmes

The site is a functional demonstration promoting the composting of organic waste from downtown residents, integrating the final product into urban infrastructure in order to improve the public [CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS] realm.

VISION FRAMEWORK FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM

[INTENT]

[TARGETS]

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

[INTENT]

MUNICIPAL

RE-PRIORITIZATION

Site Factors

VISION

ORGANIC

INCORPORATION

THE VISION IS TO CREATE A MORE LIVABLE DOWNTOWN KC THROUGH A THRIVING MATERIAL WASTE SYSTEM, KNOWN FOR EFFICIENT, DATA DRIVEN, INNOVATIVE DESIGN.

LOCAL NEEDS REGIONAL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES

TECHNOLOGICAL REINFORCEMENT

MUNICIPAL

Size: 2.14 acres RE-PRIORITIZATION Ownership: City of Kansas City ORGANIC Zoning: Urban Redevelopment INCORPORATION Landuse: Commercial Aspect: Southeast TECHNOLOGICAL REINFORCEMENT Contamination: site remediation in 2009

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

EFFICIENCY

SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

PUBLIC ACCESS

COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

DATA COLLECTION

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

I NV E S T I G A T I O N

PUBLIC USE

LINKS

TO ENGAGE

TI ON

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

CLUSTERS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

LAYERING ACCESS

MULTIPLE USES

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

SHOWCASE

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

EDUCATION

TACTICAL URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE

CLOUD STORAGE

DATA COLLECTION

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

[TARGETS]

ACCESS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE ACCESS BY STANDARDS

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

FUNCTIONALITY

PUBLIC USE PUBLIC ACCESS

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

MULTIPLICITY

PUBLIC USE DATA COLLECTION LAYERING ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE

MATERIAL COLLECTION THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

SHOWCASE

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

PUBLIC USE

RIGHT OF WAY

PUBLIC USE ACCESS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

EDUCATION AWARENESS

TACTICAL GROUND URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE ACTIVATE PLANE/SIGNAGE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

ORGANICS

TO ENGAGE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

RIGHT OF WAY

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

LINKS

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

FUNCTIONALITY

TO ACTIVATE

MULTIPLICITY

[INTENT]

TO COLLECT

TI ON

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

PUBLIC USE

MUNICIPAL CLUSTERS RE-PRIORITIZATION

REINFORCEMENT

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

ORGANICS

TO ENGAGE

TECHNOLOGICAL

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

TO COLLECT

PUBLIC ACCESS

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

LINKS

TO ACTIVATE

SINGLE HAULER

CLUSTERS

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

NODES ORGANIC INCORPORATION

CONTINUAL LOADS INTERMITTENT LOADS ORGANIC LOADS

EFFICIENCY

RIGHT OF WAY

ACCESS

FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM GOALS

AWARENESS INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS MEASUREMENT PARTICIPATION STANDARDS

[TARGETS]

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

MULTIPLE USES HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

TO COLLECT

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

TO ACTIVATE

FUNCTIONALITY

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

Organic Node | 149

CONCEPT ORGANIC NODE FRAMEWORK Concepts

Site Conditions

Design Parameters

Organic Waste

Large Extended Boundary

Processing

Residential Collection

Underutilized Urban Space

Visibility

Sustainability

Highly Visible

Functionality

Education

City Owned

Education

Stormwater

Located along Highway

Engergy Capture

High Sun Exposure

Accessibility

150 | Organic Node

Design Proposal

Outcomes

Compost Infrastructure

Integrating organic waste into city infrastructure systems

Composting Stages

Enhances city public realm through the production of street trees

Public Engagement

Creates an engaging place to teach the public about composting

Agriculture Production

Creates value for underutilized urban space surrounding downtown

Educational Spaces

Energy generated is used to power on site machinery and equipmet

Infiltration & Habitat

Increased awareness by showing the public how recycled materials can be re-purposed

Elements

Organic Node | 151

152 | Organic Node

It is currently $23/Ton to tip solid waste in Kansas City with Compost increases soil water retention and drought resilience.

12,000 residents in the capture area, at 40% participation we can The downtown area has 708 acres of previous right-of-way. divert 3.67 tons of organic waste per day.

Applying compost to this area would capture 11.5 million gallons of water in a 1.5� rain event, infiltrating 15% of the water.

Over a year this equates to $30,809 per year Kansas City loses 3,000+ trees per year. Only 1,000 of these 3.67 tons of organic waste is equal to 9.79 C.Y. of compostable trees are ever replaced representing a loss of $2.28 million in material and can produce 7.83 C.Y. of compost per day. At retail lost investment and replacement cost. Poor quality soils lead to compost sells for $30.95/CY. high rates of tree death. Compost can increase the lifespan of trees helping to sequester to 48 lbs of CO2 /year per tree.

Sales of the compost total $88,453 per year and it can amend 14 million cubic yards of soil. This is equal to a layer of soil covering greater downtown in 6 feet of soil.

40%

Organic Waste

80% Diversion

40%

Recycled Waste

Kansas City can improve its diversion of solid waste from landfills by taking a 40+40 approach to its waste. By addressing the waste through recycling and compost, the city can increase diversion to 80% from the landfill while reducing the environment impact and gaining significant benefits.

Organic Node | 153

COMPOST

STREET TREES BIO-SWALES

CIVIC-SPACE

RECYCLING HABITAT

Concept

N IO RS

ORGANIC WA STE T I Y N ENGA DI MMU VE G O C E M N GREE INFRAST EN S A RU T C LO

T RE TU

VAC AN T

Design Diagrams

Identifying Opportunities in KC

Legend DTAP_River

0 0.125 people 0.25 0.5 0.75 downtown 1 DTAP_PARCELS 12,094 live in the area around the site. With Miles many vacant sites in Kansas City, usingLANDUSECODE vacant lots as a system of green infrastructure for resident’s organic waste and city street trees will help KC get to 40% organic waste diversion. This will inevitably create a more livable downtown public realm.

Other Codes

9500 - Vacant Residential

9600 - Vacant Non-Residential (including billboards)

1:1

Legend DTAP_River

0

0.125 0.25

0.5

0.75

1 Miles

DTAP_PARCELS Other Codes

LANDUSECODE

Legend DTAP_River

1 Miles

9500 - Vacant Residential 9600 - Vacant Non-Residential (including billboards)

DTAP_PARCELS Other Codes

LANDUSECODE 9500 - Vacant Residential 9600 - Vacant Non-Residential (including billboards)

of all Kansas City residents live in multi-family housing

There are as many multifamily buildings as single family residences within these boundaries

SITE CONDITIONS

The site is located on the east side of downtown where limited development currently exists.

Dimensions and Topography

Wind Direction

The site has a reasonably shallow aspect that drains to the The most common wind directions are from: South 22%, southeast corner, and oversized sidewalks on the southern and Southwest 13%, North 12%. Over the year, the site rarely western edge. experiences no wind.

Holmes

Charlotte

11th US 71

12th

Dimensions and Topography

Watershed

The Charlotte and Holmes have minor traffic compared to 11th The site captures 760,000 gallons of water during a 1.5� rain and 12th. Highway 71 is has major traffic, but its elevation from event. It is located near the top of its small local watershed. the site reduces ambient road noise.

Organic Node | 157

Road Access from Residential Buildings

The east-west connections provide the greatest access to vehicular interaction.

158 | Organic Node

Schools and Educational Connections

The north-south roads act as connections for downtown educational institutions.

Organic Node | 159

Public Drop-off

Public Parking

Public Parking

Circulation The site is surrounded by a combination of highways, oversized arterial streets and large roads. Highway 71 is elevated adjacent to the site. Though this does bring a lot of traffic, the elevation reduces noise pollution. 11th street to the north, has high volumes of traffic in the morning as commuters exit 71 and feed into downtown. To a smaller degree, 12th street operates counter to 11th and feeds commuters out of the downtown in the evening. Holmes and Charlotte are important north-south connections east of downtown connecting to the Hospital Hill neighborhood, but both low traffic compared to their physical size. The roads surrounding the site facilitate multiple transit options, and have street parking on multiple sides surrounding the site.

Accessibility

Tree Loading

Public Parking

Multifamily Drop-off

Design Diagrams

Parti

Public vs Private

Public

Semi-Private

Kansas City is an automobile centric city, and any design would need to consider this in the final design outcome. The site is surrounded by many actively used parking lots. In total, the site is surrounded by 1066 public and private parking spaces which are full on a daily basis (588 Federal Bldg, 288 W, 160 NW, 310 N). Though it is likely that those parking lots will eventually be developed into future office and residential developments according to recent comprehensive plans, the current parking reduces the need for extensive on-site parking and grantees a consistent weekly audience. Additionally, the site is surrounded completely by on street parking providing additional options to cater to commuters to the site.

Semi-Public

Parking

Large Expansive Viewshed The lack of development around this location create a huge viewshed from which the site can be seen. Most notably, the site is highly visible from the elevated section of Highway 71 which runs parallel the downtown to the east of the site. The site is also visible from the few residential towers to the north and from important civic and corporate institutions such as: City Hall, KCPD Headquarters, JE Dunn, the County Courthouse, US Federal Building and the US Department of Transportation.

To take advantage of these views from 71, the building should be sited on the west side of the site, opening up the tree production to the highway. Because the views from the west of the site are elevated, the height of the buildings on site will need to be considered for how they frame views into the site.

Shown in blue, the site is visible from taller buildings in the downtown, and in red, the site is visible from US-71. Shown in plan, the viewshed of the site covers most of the eastern downtown loop. The site is open to expansive views from the highway and many of the city’s larger buildings.

City Hall 162 | Organic Node

Site

US-71

Sun and Shadow Studies The defining development adjacent to the site is the US Federal Building located southwest of the site. This building does cast significant shadows across the site during the winter months during the afternoon, but otherwise, the impact of surrounding development in minimal. This high amount of sun exposure promotes the use of solar photo-voltaic panels and clear PV glass on the roofs of the site structures. The energy captured by the solar energy capture would be able to power the composting equipment.

[Above] Pitched Roofs are tilted up towards the south to capture solar energy to run site equipment.

[Right] Hourly shadows in Dec, Mar, and July (purple, pink, and orange) reveal how the site is rarely in shadow for prolonged periods.

Organic Node | 165

Systems Integration

Controlling the Water Flow: Compost in Bioswales

From Organic Waste to the Greenhouses: Growing Street Trees for the City

Natural Traffic Flows Influence Drop off Compost Process

Site Integration

166 | Organic Node

PV Cells to Power Ventilation & Watering

Utilizing Heat from Compost for Year-Round Processing

Passive Ventilation: Keeping the Odors from the Public Organic Node | 167

ORGANIC WASTE SYSTEMS Application and Sale The on-site application of compost for the 12th and Holmes organic node will primarily focus on the production of street trees for Kansas City. Other applications of the compost will be towards stormwater management and the growth of microgreens to be sold to the general public.Additional compost created on the site will be sold to the general public at market rates for personal use.

The breakdown of final compost based on the design is as follows: tree growing and transplanting will use 10% of the compost, microgreen production will use 20% of the compost, and the rest will be used by the city for stormwater management amendments or sold to the general public depending on current needs. The allocation is based on priority of site management and volume needed. Tree growing was considered to be the highest priority on site although it uses limited amounts of compost because of its economic function within the site and benefit to the city.

Public Incentives and Education The main incentive towards the composting of organic waste is based on free disposal for residents and multifamily buildings.

The total cost deferred for the waste collected on site totals $30,809. Additionally, first time visitors will be given a free bag of the microgreens grown on site. Active participants would be given proportional discounts on on-site microgreens and tree saplings.

Total Weight of Processed Materials 168 | Organic Node

450.00

45 40 35 Time (Days)

400.00

42 35

30

35

342.6

342.6

300.00 250.00

25 20

21

15 10 5

411.1

350.00

200.00

205.6

150.00 100.00

12

50.00

8

117.5 78.3

0.00

0 Stage OneS

tage Two

Fast Turn over / Sl ow Turn over Processing Time

Stage Three

Stage OneS

tage Two

Stage Three

Fast Turn over / Sl ow Turn over Downtown Total Stage Compost Volume Organic Node | 169

170 | Organic Node

Public Collection Bay

Tree Loading Zone

Multifamily Collection Bay Stage 1 Compost Vessels Bioswale

Greenhouse

Stage 2 Compost

Tree Nursery

Finished Compost Pile Shop

Storage

Microgreens

0’ 10’ 20’

40’

70’

140’ Organic Node | 171

DESIGN PROPOSAL Organic Node Overview The proposed design for the organic node at 12th and Holmes is designed to facilitate the efficient collection and processing of organic waste from single and multifamily residences within the surrounding downtown area. The building mass has been kept to the west side of the site to facilitate view into the site from Highway 71 and to accommodate the needed stormwater bioswales. The buildings on site will be designed to keep down site costs in response to likely future development on the site, and it will utilizes recycled and low cost materials where possible.

The composting process will begin at the north of the site and follow the site topography as it is processed to the south of the site. The center of the site is dedicated to exterior planting and street tree development, while the Charlotte St edge is used to collect and infiltrate stormwater. Adjacent to the drop-off building at the north end of the site, larger street trees frame a public amphitheater space that overlooks the entire site.

172 | Organic Node

Organic Node | 173

174 | Organic Node

Organic Node | 175

176 | Organic Node

Organic Node | 177

11Th Street to 12Th Street

Holmes Street Elevation

Holmes Street Elevation

11th St

A-A: Compost Longitudinal Section Processing

Oriented with Site Slope

Collection Stage 1 Composting Process Sectional Diagram

Stage 2

Sale Finished Pile

12th St

0'

10'

20'

40'

80'

The Loading Bay: Educational Experiences Within Functional Purposes

180 | Organic Node

Organic Node | 181

Holmes Street to Charlotte Street

12th Street Elevation

Holmes StSection Tranverse Rainwater Collection from Roof

Infiltration Through Permeable Surfaces Irrigation from Collection Bioswale Water Runoff Control with Collection and Infiltration

Charlotte St

0'

10'

20'

40'

80'

184 | Organic Node

Organic Node | 185

The Organic Node is designed to showcase the composting process to the public. This is accomplished through multiple locations in and around the site.

The Vessels | Facilitating Collection The glassy exterior exposes the in-vessel composting units to the public while the roof line lifts to open the building up to the 11th street frontage. 15 minute street parking along the side of the site allows people to quickly and easily deposit organic waste at the facility. On Holmes, a large bay allows site managed vehicles to drop-off waste collected from the multifamily buildings..

open space to the northwest behind JE Dunn. On the main site, 28 greater than two inch caliper trees will be grown in 95 gallon wood boxes, 280 two inch caliper trees will be grown in ground in 20 gallon plastic containers, and in the greenhouses up to 1,450 saplings per pod can be grown in 5 gallon plastic containers as needed. On the adjacent site, 21 large trees and 672 two inch caliper trees will be produced. The trees will be rotated on site as necessary spending no more than two years The Greenhouses | From Death To Life in the greenhouse and in ground plastic containers. The site will The glassy exterior exposes the site processes throughout the be able to have an annual output of close to 1,000 trees, halving year. The heat generated from the composting process keeps the current tree replacement deficit faced by the city. plants growing and turns the long greenhouses into a warm winter attraction.

Tree Types Due to the pressing need for trees and the limited available The Shop space on which to grow them downtown, the tree palette for Creating a home for people to come and learn about composting the site consists of trees that have rapid growth but are suitable and the site’s purpose, the shop will be the first location for for street planting. The list does not contain ash because no visitors on the site. The building will contain the maintenance emerald ash bore resistant ash trees have been identified. equipment for the site, and the store. The store will have DIY Additionally, it is recommended that the city limit the number composting equipment and guides for single family residents, of acer species to be planted to avoid developing a monoculture free compostable bags for people to drop-off their organic prone to future disease or pests. waste, and per-prepared bags of compost for people to take home. Additionally, the shop will be where residents come to Tree List purchase compost, micro-greens and saplings in larger quantities. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 6 ft 20-25 ft The shop caps the composting process on site both physically Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) 6 ft 15-20 ft and functionally, framing the 12th street corner.

‘Heritage’ River Birch (Betula nigra) 3-4 ft 15-20 ft The ecology of the site is open to the public by blurring the lines between public and private.

Bioswale Garden | Butterfly home The east edge along Charlotte St will have an extended stormwater bioswale to infiltrate the water from onsite and the adjacent streets, while the Collection building and greenhouse will capture roof runoff for site agricultural uses.These bioswales will consist of native plantings that encourage monarch butterfly migration. The soil in the bioswales will incorporate compost amendments to improve water infiltration and retention.

The combination of compost and use of native plants would demonstrate to the public alternative strategies for water management and landscape planting.

Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) Ginko (Ginko biloba) Red Maple (Acer rubium) Weeping Willow (Salix × sepulcralis) ‘Red Rocket’ Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

3-4 ft 3 ft 3-5 ft 4-8 ft 3 ft

15-20 ft 10-15 ft 15-20 ft 15-30 ft 10-15 ft

The tree nursery will occur in two locations. A quarter of the trees will be grown on site, and the rest will be grown on the Organic Node | 187

188 | Organic Node

Materials Palette

Cast in Place Concrete

Onyx 5% PV Glazing

KC Construction Debris as Gabion Retaining Walls

Galvanized Steel

Reused Local Rails for Tree Loading Bay

Reclaimed Wood Organic Node | 189

190 | Organic Node

CONCLUSION Project Goals Working within the site constraints, the organic node demonstrates the viability of the 12th and Holmes lot to divert 40% of the organic waste from residents in the downtown area.

Additionally, the site design demonstrates that the application of compost can have significant economic, environmental and economic benefits for Kansas City. However, residential organic waste is only part of the recycling picture. Initial participation is not likely to immediately reach 40% diversion. The segmented design of the site allows for the growth of capacity with resident participation.

Working with Other Professions To create a successful design this project required the collaboration with many professionals who are not within the design profession. Working together, the group can helped to push the design much further. Through the development of the project with local professionals, it was realized that the project would be better able to serve the city and engage the community by replacing much of the food based urban agriculture with tree production for the city. Moving from this preconceived idea proved to be very difficult, but it the end, the final design solution is significantly more valuable as a design for Kansas City.

Designed to Engage and Incentivize Participation Overall, the design mostly focuses on economic incentives to promote resident engagement. Additionally, the sale of microgreens will encourage resident’s downtown to come and purchase locally grown food; however, the lack of surrounding activity or development around the site will likely make site engagement more difficult.

Application to Other Sites and Adjusting to Fit Specific Site Needs Though the development of the site, programing shifted from urban agriculture towards primarily street tree production. Site development allowed the project to expand the collection scope to include more of the downtown area than was initially expected.

These two major changes may have differed from the initial project background research, but the changes demonstrates the organic node’s flexibility to adjust to site conditions and needs.

This flexibility helps to strengthen the overall system proposal, and the organic system’s applicability to a variety of sites within the downtown area. Going forward the major consideration for future sites will be how residential housing density effects site participation. With the 12th and Holmes site, most of the residents live in multifamily buildings which significantly simplify site material collection. As the proposal is applied elsewhere, future sites will have to scale appropriately, so residents are not discouraged from participating due to the travel distance to the organic node sites.

Organic Node | 191

06 | SHOWCASE NODE 196 Concept 200 Site Conditions 214 Design Elements 218 Design Proposal

194 | Showcase Node

THE SHOWCASE NODE

What is a Showcase Node?

Showcase nodes activate the public realm by showcasing what recycled materials can transform into. Showcase Nodes engage under-utilized spaces adjacent to the right-of-way to improve the public realm.

FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM Truman and Walnut The intent of the showcase node is to shift people’s perception of the waste system and promote community pride towards recycling through artful and interactive displays. The site is a [CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS] demonstration that promotes the reuse of recycled material and integrates the final product into the public realm

VISION FRAMEWORK FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM

[INTENT]

[INTENT]

RE-PRIORITIZATION

VISION

ORGANIC

INCORPORATION

THE VISION IS TO CREATE A MORE LIVABLE DOWNTOWN KC THROUGH A THRIVING MATERIAL WASTE SYSTEM, KNOWN FOR EFFICIENT, DATA DRIVEN, INNOVATIVE DESIGN.

Site Factors

[TARGETS]

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

MUNICIPAL

LOCAL NEEDS REGIONAL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES

TECHNOLOGICAL REINFORCEMENT

MUNICIPAL

RE-PRIORITIZATION

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

EFFICIENCY

SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

PUBLIC ACCESS

COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

DATA COLLECTION

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

ACCESS BY STANDARDS

COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

I NV E S T I G A T I O N

PUBLIC USE

LINKS

TO ENGAGE

Ownership: City ofINCORPORATION Kansas City Zoning: Urban Redevelopment TECHNOLOGICAL Landuse: Commercial REINFORCEMENT Aspect: South

TI ON

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

CLUSTERS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

LAYERING ACCESS

MULTIPLE USES

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

SUSTAINABILITY

SHOWCASE

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

EDUCATION

TACTICAL URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE

CLOUD STORAGE

DATA COLLECTION

THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

[TARGETS]

ACCESS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

ACTIVATE GROUND PLANE/SIGNAGE

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

PROPERTY OWNER COOPERATION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE ACCESS BY STANDARDS

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS COLLECTION LAYOUT/COLORS

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL SINGLE HAULER

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

COLLECTION OF ORGANICS

FUNCTIONALITY

PUBLIC USE PUBLIC ACCESS

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION COMPOST LIFE CYCLE

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

CLOUD STORAGE

MULTIPLICITY

PUBLIC USE DATA COLLECTION LAYERING ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE

MATERIAL COLLECTION THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT

OF PROGRAMS + PEOPLE

SHOWCASE

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

AWARENESS

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAYFUL OBJECTS

PUBLIC USE

RIGHT OF WAY

PUBLIC USE ACCESS

MATERIAL COLLECTION

EDUCATION AWARENESS

TACTICAL GROUND URBANISM/URBAN AGRICULTURE ACTIVATE PLANE/SIGNAGE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

ORGANICS

TO ENGAGE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

RIGHT OF WAY

RE-PURPOSED WASTE

LINKS

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

FUNCTIONALITY

TO ACTIVATE

MULTIPLICITY

[INTENT]

TO COLLECT

TI ON

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

PUBLIC USE

MUNICIPAL CLUSTERS RE-PRIORITIZATION

REINFORCEMENT

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

ORGANICS

TO ENGAGE

TECHNOLOGICAL

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

TO COLLECT

PUBLIC ACCESS

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

LINKS

TO ACTIVATE

SINGLE HAULER

CLUSTERS

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR REQUIRED

[CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS]

NODES ORGANIC INCORPORATION

CONTINUAL LOADS INTERMITTENT LOADS ORGANIC LOADS

EFFICIENCY

RIGHT OF WAY

ACCESS

Size: 2.14 acres FOR DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY'S WASTE PROGRAM ORGANIC GOALS

AWARENESS INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS MEASUREMENT PARTICIPATION STANDARDS

[TARGETS]

PRIVATE REQUIRED/PUBLIC ACCESS

AS NEW FOCUS

[SYSTEM STRATEGIES]

MULTIPLE USES HIGH-TECH COLLECTION

PRIVATE - LOW-MID RISE

PARKING LOTS/ALLEY WAYS

TO COLLECT

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

COLLECTION LOCATION/ACCESS CONTROL

NODES

PUBLIC USE

LARGE SCALE MATERIAL COLLECTION

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE/SMRF

PUBLIC USE

MATERIAL COLLECTION

TO ACTIVATE

FUNCTIONALITY

OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

Showcase Node | 195

CONCEPT

SHOWCASE NODE FRAMEWORK Concepts

Site Conditions

Design Parameters

Interactive & Artful Displays

Large Extended Boundary

Scale

Rotating Installations

Underutilized Urban Space

Visibility

Self Sustaining

Highly Visible

Connections

Temporary

Between Two Activity Hubs

Porosity

Events

Located along Highway

Sustainability

High Sun Exposure

196 | Showcase Node

Design Proposal

Outcomes

Infrastructure for Art

Creates a destination between surrounding districts

Adaptable Space

Enhances walkability between event venues and around the highway

Energy Generator

Creates an art hub centered around recycling

Multiple Scales

Takes advantage of underutilized urban space

Capitalize on Visibility

Power generated supports funding for local art programs

Elements

Increased awareness by showing the public how recycled materials can be repurposed

Program Scenarios Public Art Promoting Recycling (3-D&2-D instillations,performances) Events/Festivals

Showcase Node | 197

This showcase node operates at two scales to activate the public realm. The city scale allows for an art platform to be seen from a distance. The pedestrian scale allows for a more intimate experience of art similar to that of an art gallery. The art displayed will continuously rotate, creating a dynamic and changing environment that draws continuous public interest.

Showcase nodes are also activated through collaboration with local artists. Artists will be challenged to create displays utilizing locally sourced recycled materials. The art can bring awareness and promote greater discussion of the recycling system and inform the public to why recycling is important.

The Showcase Nodes are apart of the larger recycling system of Downtown Kansas City. While other system strategies are focused on efficient collection systems and increasing diversion rates, this node is about generating public awareness and encouraging public engagement in the program to create city pride about recycling. These sites can begin to showcase the successful recycling collections efforts of the other system Nodes and Clusters.

Goals for the Showcase Node • • • •

Generate public awareness about recycling by showcasing how recycled materials can be repurposed.

Create a destination that provides artful and interactive displays to change the way people perceive recycled materials Collaborate with local artists to create public art that promotes recycling Create an adaptable design for artists and their recycling concepts

198 | Showcase Node

SITE CONDITIONS This selected Showcase Node for further investigation is located on Truman Road between Main and Walnut Street. The site’s current use is surface parking that is used for the Power & Light District and Sprint Center Events. There is also a large landscape bed of vegetation on the south side of the site that blocks any movement from the parking lot to the sidewalk.The site has an adjacent mural located on the north side of the site along with the new streetcar line and stop that runs by the site on Main Street. This new transportation in Kansas City will begin to generate a lot of activity near the site.

Site with Extended Boundary

Overlaying the Public Rightof-way for Potential Expansion Opportunities

Considering Underutilized Urban Space Across I-670

Determined Workable Site

The adjacent parking lot to the east of the Showcase Node is under development for a new residential tower.The site we are designing also has plans to hold the next residential tower after the adjacent site is developed. Understanding that the site has development plans for the future, will be a critical element to address in the design proposal.

The site is also located along the I-670 highway and in between the Power & Light District and Crossroads. The highway creates a break in the building fabric, allowing the site to have a large spatial extent to the south.

200 | Showcase Node

ut

aln W

Ma

t ree t S in

et

re St

nR Truma

oad N

Drive

Showcase Node | 201

Creating Connections Between Districts The site is located in between two main districts in Downtown Kansas City, the Power & Light District and the Crossroads.This area also has many large event venues such as the Sprint Center, Kauffman Performing Arts Center, and Bartle Hall Convention Center. The location of the site is situated in the center of this activity hub and has the potential to be seen from many of the venues and it can also serve as a destination point between the districts. An analysis of the movement and flows of people around a five minute radius helped to understand where people might be traveling to and from and which roads and sidewalks would be highly used. Knowing the site is located a half of block south of the main activity of Power & Light along with the new streetcar stop being located adjacent to the site on Main Street, new circulation paths should be considered in the design proposal.

202 | Showcase Node

CONNEC TIO CIAL O S NS

POWER &LIGHT DISTRICT BARTLE HALL

SHOWCASE NODE

KAUFFMAN CENTER CROSSROADS DISTRICT

Creating Connections Between Districts

Rethinking Pedestrian Circulation Between Entertainment Districts and Around I-670

Daily Pedestrian and Main Routes Between Event Centers

Pedestrian Activity Flows Around Downtown Attractions

Establishing Connections Across the Highway

Workable Site

Raising the North Site for Spatial Impact on its Surrounding

Determining Area of Intervention

Establishing Physical and Experiential Connections Across the Highway

Mitigating the Highway by Creating an Art Hub With Art

Enhancing Circulation to Create an Art Gallery

Showcase Node | 207

Establishing Scale Through Visibility

Section Viewsheds Along Walnut St

Sprint Center

Walnut St.

Bartle Hall

Main St.

The site is located in between Main St and Walnut St. Therefore it was important to consider the views approaching the site on both streets. The site is also located between two activity centers.

So the views from both Power and Light and the Crossroads are important in order to determine the appropriate scale of the structure. This site has a large extended boundary and was chosen for its visibility. In order to take advantage of that and act as a billboard, the structure needs to fit into its context while having a presence in relation to the buildings around it.The task was to find, what is the minimum design necessary for the structure to be successful as infrastructure for public art.

View from points along Walnut and the South Truman Observation Area

View from 13th and Walnut

View from 16th and Walnut

Main St. Looking East Showcase Node | 209

Establishing Scale Through Visibility and Accessibility

Sprint Center

Walnut St.

Bartle Hall

Main St.

In order to determine the appropriate height, viewsheds from 16th St, 13th St, and I-670 are taken into consideration. This ensures that the visibility from Power and Light, and the Crossroads determine the structure’s height. At 55 feet, the structure would be visible from both districts.

At this height, it is also visible from the highway for visitors to Kansas City that might not stop downtown.

View from points along Main St and the South Truman Observation Area

Section Viewsheds Along Main St

View from 13th and Main

View from 16th and Main

Showcase Node | 211

Connection to the System

STERS CLU

LANDFILL

MRF TRASH

Supply as Needed

PAPER PLASTIC METAL CARBORD

Continuous Material Supply For Showcase Nodes

ARTIST

T RO

A

ORGANIC NODE ORGANIC WASTE

MISSOURI ORGANIC

212 | Showcase Node

N 2 O DI N N SU ST RF AL A LA C T E IO

VISUAL E XPE RIE NC E

N OO VIDE ACE F R SU

ART

IS T S

REU

NG

SE

D

SC

3D W SPAC ITHIN E

AF

FO LDIN G IM MERS

IVE

P EX

ER

IE

N

C

E

REC S YCLIN G AWARENES

AT I

NODE E S CA OW H S

URBAN SEATING

EVENT SPACE

E

C N RA O CE RF PA PE S IN

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DESIGN ELEMENTS Function of the Structure Scaffolding is a lightweight aluminum structure used in construction. By utilizing a material commonly available and in need, the material can be reused for development after this site is ready for development.This allows for a structure that can be easily erected as well as taken down. Its structure is conclusive to being art infrastructure.

Structure The structure is made up of only 7 different scaffolding pieces commonly used on construction sites. This design ensures the availability of scaffolding that can be reused in order to build the structure.

Circulation The scaffolding has two stairwells integrated into the structure for egress as well as access for artists for installation. There is also a metal deck along the North of the structure that allows for visitors to experience the art at different levels. The first level of the stairs can be easily removed in order to inhibit occupation of the structure during off hours.

Available Space for Art The scaffolding allows for 199,581ft3 of usable space for art within the structure. The front of the structure also has 13,097 sgft of space for which art can be hung or projected onto.

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Art Scenarios

2-D Art

3-D Art

Event Space

Video/ Light Projections

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Solar Panels for a Self-Sustaining Structure Energy Generation In order for the structure to be self-sustaining, it is equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof. The solar panels are enough to light the structure during events as well as sell energy back to the grid.The revenue generated from that energy is used to fund local public art programs. The photovoltaics produce 129,000 kWh/yr while only using 10,000kWh/yr. This generates $12,000 in net income per year.

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N Truman Rd

Grand Blvd

Walnut St

Main St

Baltimore Ave

Wyandotte St

S Truman Rd

Summer Solstice at 9am, Noon, and 3pm

N Truman Rd

Grand Blvd

Walnut St

Main St

Baltimore Ave

Wyandotte St

S Truman Rd

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DESIGN PROPOSAL

Scaffolding Structure Walking through the base of the structure allows people with an up close experience of the different types of art that is based around recycling and the reuse of materials. The structure also allows visitors the ability to inhabit it at different levels during events. This makes it easier for artists to install the art with ease.

Observation Deck Similar to an art gallery, a seating terrace and plaza on the site’s south area allows people a place to relax and enjoy the art that has inhabited the main structure across the highway. This area not only allows people with the best views to the art but it activates an underutilized park space along the highway.

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Aerial Shot Downtown Kansas City has experienced a lot of growth in the past decade. However, decisions made in the 1950s have had a lasting effect on the urban fabric of Kansas City. While this site is very visible, it is located along a break in the urban fabric due to I-670. This part of Downtown between the Loop and the Crossroads has not seen as much development as areas to the north and south due to its proximity to the highway. Due to this issue, the city has explored options for capping the highway creating a park that improves its current conditions. However, the total project construction cost ranges from $145-$175 million. While the city may not have the money to complete this project, this proposal aims to address some of those issues through the lens of recycling. The visibility of this site, its proximity to two important districts, and its current state of being underutilized make it the perfect site for a temporary intervention that mitigates the highway.The Scaffolding on North Truman and the Observation Deck on South Truman create a visual, and programmatic connection that generates activity on both sides of the highway. This generates activity that traverses the highway and mitigates the effect of the highway.

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Section Across the Highway

Section Looking East

0’

8’

16’

32’

Elevation Looking South South Elevation

Elevation Looking North

North Elevation

0’

0’

8’

8’

16’

16’

32’

32’

(right) The scaffolding and the observation deck create a visual, and programmatic connection that generates activity on both sides of the highway

Southside Elevation

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The Structure Creates a Better Pedestrian Experience Along Truman Rd Currently, Truman Rd North and South are designed with a focus on efficient automobile traffic. The pedestrian experience along these streets is not conducive to pedestrian travel. Do to Truman Road’s proximity to the highway and a lack of activity on both sides, the sites are currently underutilized and do not provide stopping points for pedestrians. The right of way on the site is expansive and presents an opportunity for a better experience as one walks next to fast moving traffic. The right of way south of I-670 is currently an underutilized grass covered lot. With this proposal, both sites which are unused currently, improve the pedestrian experience along Truman Rd. The art slows down the speed at which people walk by providing art centered around recycling. It also gives a space to stop and enjoy the urban experience which is improved greatly by the intervention. Along the south side, the seating and plaza space creates a programmed space that can be used for events and every other day.

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CONCLUSION The studio established programmatic concepts for the Showcase Node, in regards to the overall framework plan. To generate recycling awareness, the design is meant house rotating art and information to show the public the many ways their recycled material can be re-purposed to prompt them to think about their waste consumptions differently. To engage the public with recycling activities, the design also needs to be interactive and flexible to allow for different events and activities to be held on the site. Due to the site’s future planned development the design will be temporary and easy to disassemble and moved to a different location if chosen.

This prototypical design proposal is meant to address the main dilemma of the need for improved public education about recycling issues. The use of art and creative placemaking can catch people’s attention, inspire them with intriguing art, and educate them about the value of recycled materials. In combination with the other design strategies, including the Clusters, Links, and other Nodes, the system can be a comprehensive approach to bettering Kansas City’s recycling system and its recycling culture.

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