An urban proposal aimed at integrating, sustaining, and growing
Zaha Hadid Architects
Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE)
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
● Current conditions o the site do not take advanta e o its best re ions
● St. Paul's Cathedral unctions as a popular node or tourists and Londoners
● Intersection at the other end creates a natural junction between multiple overnment and educational buildin s
● Both nodes exempli y the roots o Britain's oundational roots, on which the City o London has been built
● Openin the main road cuttin throu h the site
○ Connects the two most important nodes
○ Creates a more unified site
● Main central boulevard
○ Planted with seatin and reenery
○ Breaks up the circulation
○ Maintains a visual connection between both areas
● Elevated pathways and road network connections
○ Encoura e pedestrian circulation towards the central boulevard
The site separates horizontal circulation into three levels: Under round re ion offers connection to under round tube Ground level unctions or oot Supports vehicle traffic or the public elevated brid es
Depressed Node
Elevated Pathway
The St. Pauls Boulevard node borders the cultural zone and aces the East side o the Cathedral. The Node connects the St. Paul's under round terminal to the proposed central boulevard, creatin a picturesque exit rom the London railway towards the cathedral and boulevard.
The Central Under round Plaza is nestled in the center o the boulevard splittin up the mixed-use space into two re ions. The pedestrian boulevard brid es over the plaza, which holds commercial store ronts.
The historical intersection sunken plaza connects computers to the Bank terminal, allowin or quick access rom the financial district to the london railway. The plaza centers the intersection, encoura in london residence to walk throu h the site rather than travel throu h with a vehicle.
Reor anizin Existin Cite Elevated Pedestrian Circulation Central Block Courtyard Explorin Central Boulevard East to West Pro ram Separation Hexa onal Superblock Scattered Sunken Nodes Incorporation o Boulevard
The first Iteration was an exploration in connections with the surroundin road network. We explored openin re ions near St. Pauls and the other Historic sites on our projects.
This iteration incorporated elevated pedestrian brid es that connected at the roo hei hts, allowin or circulation between reen roo spaces. This idea evolved into superblocks in which roupin s o buildin s would interact above the round plane.
A study o Italian blocks and their ability to create private spaces in a dense urban environment. Inner courtyards allowed us to create separation between public circulation and nodes where private residents mi ht commune away rom busier re ions
A Central Boulevard became a key piece o our project, openin up St. Paul's Cathedral to the Historical Plaza. This unifies the whole site and encoura es the public to walk on oot rather than drive past the re ion, as well as urtherin the importance o both nodes.
This iteration exemplifies our attempt to maximize roo top views towards St. Pauls. By or anizin the lowest elevation units near St. Pauls, and workin up to the hi hest elevation skyscrapers at the opposite end ensurin almost St. Pauls is visible rom all roo tops
Superblocks became an important aspect o our site or anization. By allowin use to create clear sectors between pro rams, while ensurin connection within each superblock, celebratin its uniqueness.
Depressed nodes were placed in the center o each plaza markin their location. It offers a more dynamic means rom circulation, now under round, on round level, and at roo hei hts.
At this point, different aspects rom each iteration have been combined, to create a cohesive city rid that has re ular or anization and uniqueness to each plot. A central plaza and boulevard unction as a lar e node drawin residence to this unique historical re ion.
