Grant Koniski

“the unprogrammed abstraction�

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grant koniski Master of Architecture Thesis (Abridged Version) University of Cincinnati Advisor: Michael McInturf

“the unprogrammed abstraction” a methodology for the analysis and designing of low cost, human scaled interventions that aim to subtly address the problems produced by the infamous san francisco housing crisis by increasing the utility of existing parks during the dark winter months.

04.24.2020

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(fig. a) “All 5 topology iterations”, Sk

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ketch up and Photoshop, Koniski 2020.

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San Francisco

Lofted bedroom inside of a warehouse Non compliant with current fire codes $600 cash a month for rent Michelle frequents Dolores park as a waiting spot, meeting spot, hanging out spot, a spot to play her portable headless electric guitar, read a book, a spot to skateboard, a spot to meditate, a spot to live.

(fig. b) “Michelle’s warehouse lofted bedroom”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019.

Stand alone garage attached to home Garages not zoned for residential use Lives with family, rent free Eric lives around the corner from the Fort Mason Park and he has defined that park as his living room. Eric utilizes the park for large meet ups, dates, skateboarding, relaxing, reading, writing, and practicing his guitar. (fig. c) “Eric in his garage home, Photograph, Koniski, 2019”.

Bay side liveaboard on 1997 Catalina 30 mark sailing boat in the wharf Waited 2 years for slip, now the waiting list is up to 10 years $250 liveaboard fee, $250 slip fee Sam frequents his nearby park the James Herman Cruise Terminal; he uses the space to take his dog out to play, meet with friends and skateboard. (fig. d) “Sam in his boat Home, Photograph, Koniski, 2019”.

architectural conditions & gentrification

ongoing gentrification ongoing exclusion (fig. e) “San Francisco displacement map”, Urban Displacement Project, 2019.

(fig. f) “Communally alone”, 24” x 48” acrylic painting, Koniski, 2019.

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San Francisco Parks

Alta Plaza Park*

Southern facing terraced green space

for an intervention that is scalable and

the topography. Elevated and boasts g of the city when not too foggy.

West Bluff Picnic Ar

Stairs define a depression in the land

broken up by an undulating landscap

scaled park that is the last park before

the golden gate bridge. Attracts many t

Alamo Square Park

Park that is adjacent to the famous pai

lady homes, an icon of san francisco. Slo

lawns that are separated by varying slo

and paths that lead to the central g

which provides shade for the green spa

site analysis and selection

Buena Vista Park

Large heavily wooded hilltop, with ma

hiking trails and grand views of the ci

Few small spots for interventions su rounded by trees.

parks lacking architectural and artistic identity

Sutro Heights Park

Enclosed by trees, on the coast, elevate on a cliff side. Nearby ruins of baths.

Corona Heights Par

Barren sheet of Franciscan chert bed

range of social, spatial and architectural qualities

Unobstructed views of the city. Native p

and wildlife are found in the park. L

green hilltop is dirt and rock. Provides p

of room for an intervention. Adjacent to

Randall museum, a museum that focuse natural sciences and the arts.

situated within a dense urban context

Mission Dolores Pa

Dolores Park is an incredibly popular pa

and is frequently populated with people

different walks of life. This site is chosen b it acts as a social space that people go

er, meet and be active. The park has a st

side topography and is directly connecte

streetcar line. The parks lower section is

provides the community with living spaces

lacks skyline views, while the upper se

the park is sloped and provides stunnin

of the san francisco skyline. The diversit

tial experience between these two sect

topic of exploration through intervention

Bernal Heights Park

Rich history dating back to 1800’s, Bern haven for squaters. Bernal hill also was

gold was found, causing the unsucce

gold. Bernal Hill has some of the most s

city. Bernal Hill is a natural refuge and is a

of what an untouched san francisco m

like 250 years ago. native grasslands, fo

life make Bernal Hill a special San Franc

trails lead people up to a 360 degree vi

es, perfect

Fort Mason Park

Through much public involvement and political workings, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

d relates to

was created in 1972. The meandering paths and grassy lawns offer stunning views of the Golden

great views

Gate Bridge. The park is frequented by cyclists, walkers and runners. The park is a meeting place for dog groups, yoga groups, frisbee groups and many other informal and formal groups. The flat

rea*

d which is

pe. Smaller

e you reach

tourists.

k*

plains offer a space for open active recreation. The park offers a great view of the bay and provides and ideal viewing experience for the blue angel air show every fall. The park is poorly lit at night, making the paths dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. The park has a historic grounding in that it was used for navy purposes in the past. This park was chosen because it is an approachable scale, has various topographies and is frequently used for cyclist circulation.

James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Plaza

From the Plaza, visitors and passengers can take in the panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, including Treasure Island, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the Financial Dis-

inted

trict, Telegraph Hill and the Coit Tower. Visitors will also appreciate the enormous size of the

oping

cruise ships as they are berthed adjacent to the Plaza. Site was chosen due to the simplicity

opes

openness and flatness of the site. The plaza is along the embarcadero and an intervention

grove

would draw pedestrian traffic from the embarcadero to the plaza. The plaza is frequented

aces.

by skateboarders and dog walkers. The plaza changes activity and essence whenever there is a ship in the harbor. This fluidity of use is one worth exploring within the interventions.

any

ity.

ur-

ed

Lafayette Park

Elevated, amenities, views of Alctraz, the marina district, twin peaks and the bay.

Union Square

More hardscaped public space within a dense urban context. More cold and rigid.

rk

drock.

plants

Lacks

Victoria Manalo Draves Park

Small intimate park with an adjacent baseball field, basketball court and play ground. Close to downtown.

plenty

o the

es on

ark

ark in SF

Espirit Park

Small flat green park with stately redwoods and a minimal design presence. Park fills up with workers eating lunch around noon.

e from all

because to gath-

teep hill-

Jefferson Square Park

Historic site of the 1906 earthquake camp. Close

ed to the

to city hall. Adjacent to a separate baseball field,

s flat and

playground and tennis courts. Off leash dog park.

ection of

ng views

ty of spa-

tions is a

n.

k*

Potrero Del Sol*

Largest skatepark in the city, includes a grassy

nal hill was a safe

field, playground, baseball fields, picnic areas, and

prospected and

performance space. Park is frequented by sketchy

essful mining of

individuals and is a meeting group of a variety of

stable rock in the

cultures and age groups.

a good depiction

may have looked

foliage and wild-

cisco Icon. hiking

iew of the city.

(fig. g) “San Francisco park selection map”, Koniski, 2019.

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San Francisco Parks heavily trafficked bay side Embarcadero biking trail biker and pedestrian traffic on a meager 12’ wide path individuals define their space with their lawn chairs (fig. h) “Fort Mason Park, Saturday afternoon, 10.12.2019”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019.

typical January afternoon social groups gather towards the central flat stage like field small groups dispersed throughout less social groups perch up high on the surrounding sloping grass planes (fig. i) “Fort Mason Park, Saturday afternoon, 10.12.2019”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019.

meeting place for dog groups, yoga groups, frisbee groups and many other informal and formal groups the park is poorly lit at night, making the paths dangerous for cyclists stunning views of the emblematic golden gate bridge (fig. j) “Fort Mason Park, Sunday afternoon, 01.05.2020”, Photograph, Koniski, 2020.

photographic activity analysis

(fig. k) “Activity analysis, 3 San Francisco Parks�, Photographic essay, Koniski, 2020.

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Precedents

(fig. l) Lydon and Garcia “Bottom Up vs. Top Down Urban Interventions, Diagram”

(fig. m) Sol LeWitt, “Incomplete Open Cubes”, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1974.

low cost interventions that achieve a maximum impact using minimal resources

iterative design process based off of simple geometric constraints

community based bottom up approach to the creation of public spaces

implements a set of instructions for the installation of pieces

democratized design process

strict design methodology

post modern & contemporaries

(fig. n) Tony Smith & Robert Morris sculptures, 1962.

(fig. o) OBBA, Studio Toggle, Adjaye, & Havermans. Contemporary architectural interventions.

purity of form and space

material advancements and innovations

human based scales that brought sculpture into the world of architecture

meaningful design process that builds upon the character of the site

architectural objects that promote inhabitation

digital vs. analog design processes

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Conceptual Approach

problem

narrative & analysis

intervention

san francisco housing crisis

increase in urban density and property prices

room renting and the extinction of living spaces

populations reliance on public parks for living spaces

public parks inability to provide living spaces during the winter due to lack of infrastructure discrete architectural interventions provide the needed utility in the winter and reinforce fundamental organizational properties of the park

(fig. p) “Conceptual narrative�, Koniski, 2019.

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Components of Parks 5 Fundamental topologies that organize park spaces Frame: the intentional framing of an emblematic or significant view, (foliage thresholds, angle/direction of slopes, branded signs, light posts, bench and park orientation).

Enclosure: a sense of enclosure, (grouping of trees, density of planters, man made canopies, pavilions, and adjacent buildings).

Path: circulatory character of park, (defined by benches, signs, slopes, foliage, and adjacent trees).

Field: stage for activity within the park, (level and open grass field, defined by paths, program, and surrounding streets).

Slope: provides boundaries and an elevated perspective of the space, (defined by paths and surrounding context).

5 spatial topologies

(fig. q) “Fort Mason Park, topology analysis: ‘Frame’”, Photographic diagram, Koniski, 2020.

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Components of Parks frame

enclosure

path

field

slope

site analysis & spatial organization

(fig. r) “Fort Mason Park, topology analysis�, Photographic diagram, Koniski, 2020.

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Components of Parks 5 spatial topologies

Analyzes the spatial consistencies within parks through an architectural lens quantifies a parks organizational systems yields a thoughtful siting of architectural interventions that reinforce fundamental spatial characteristics of parks

frame

frame

enclosure

enclosure

path

path

field

field

slope

frame

slope

frame

enclosure

enclosure

path

path

field

field

slope

frame

slope

frame

enclosure

enclosure

path

path

field

field

slope

(fig. s) “Topology analysis, 3 San Francisco Parks�, Photographic essay, Koniski, 2020.

slope

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Methodology Sketching

Hand Drafting

design methodology Model Making

(fig. t) “Initial design methodology�, Mixed media, Koniski, 2019.

Digital Visualization

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Methodology

design methodology

(fig. u) “Initial interventions�, Midterm presentation, Koniski, 2019.

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Material Studies

lighting

(fig. v) “Intervention lighting visualization.� Stud framing, drywall, trace paper and programmable LED lighting, Koniski, 2019.

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Material Studies

(fig. w) “Full scale unit test�, Stud framing and exterior roofing finish, Koniski, 2019.

full scale construction & color theory

(fig. x) “Color palette painting”, Acrylic on 34”x 70” handmade 2” canvas, Koniski, 2019.

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Architectural Intervention ‘heavy module’

stud framed modules

color theory

fabrication & installation

OBJECT

CIRCULATE

space

threshold

(fig. y) “Color theory diagram & module diagra

BUILD PROCESS

resources

materials (warehouse)

module ‘light module’ fabrication

E LINGER interior

REST occupy

am”, Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

cladding materials (site)

(fig. z) “Construction process diagram”, Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

intervention build

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Architectural Intervention

November: design December: on site January: intervention March: intervention and fabrication build inhabitation disassembly

assembly & disassembly

Repeat life cycle at a new park (fig. aa) “Intervention exploded axon”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

frame 1

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frame frame frame frame 13

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enclosure enclosure enclosure enclosure enclosure

path

analyze - iterate - intervene

pathpath path path

field field eldfield fifi eld

slope slope slope slope slope

(fig. bb) “Fort Mason Park, analysis - iteration - intervention process�, Photoshop & Sketchup, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park - ‘frame’

(fig. cc) “Frame final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park - ‘enclosure’

(fig. dd) “Enclosure final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park - ‘path’

(fig. ee) “Path final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park - ‘field’

(fig. ff) “Field final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park - ‘slope’

(fig. gg) “Slope final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park 5 interventions

(fig. hh) “Fort Mason Park - 5 Interventions rendered day & night�, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

fort mason park sited interventions

(fig. ii) “Fort Mason Park - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan�, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

dolores park sited interventions

(fig. jj) “Dolores Park - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan�, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Architectural Intervention

james herman cruise terminal sited interventions

(fig. kk) “James Herman Cruise Terminal - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan�, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

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Bibliography & Illustrations (fig. a) “All 5 topology iterations”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski 2020. (fig. b) “Michelle’s warehouse lofted bedroom”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019. (fig. c) “Eric in his garage home, Photograph, Koniski, 2019”. (fig. d) “Sam in his boat Home, Photograph, Koniski, 2019”. (fig. e) “San Francisco displacement map”, Urban Displacement Project, 2019. (fig. f) “Communally alone”, 24” x 48” acrylic painting, Koniski, 2019. (fig. g) “San Francisco park selection map”, Koniski, 2019. (fig. h) “Fort Mason Park, Saturday afternoon, 10.12.2019”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019. (fig. i) “Fort Mason Park, Saturday afternoon, 10.12.2019”, Photograph, Koniski, 2019. (fig. j) “Fort Mason Park, Sunday afternoon, 01.05.2020”, Photograph, Koniski, 2020. (fig. k) “Activity analysis, 3 San Francisco Parks”, Photographic essay, Koniski, 2020. (fig. l) Lydon and Garcia “Bottom Up vs. Top Down Urban Interventions, Diagram” (fig. m) Sol LeWitt, “Incomplete Open Cubes”, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1974. (fig. n) Tony Smith & Robert Morris sculptures, 1962. (fig. o) OBBA, Studio Toggle, Adjaye, & Havermans. Contemporary architectural interventions. (fig. p) “conceptual narrative”, Koniski, 2019. (fig. q) “Fort Mason Park, topology analysis: ‘Frame’”, Photographic diagram, Koniski, 2020. (fig. r) “Fort Mason Park, topology analysis”, Photographic diagram, Koniski, 2020. (fig. s) “Topology analysis, 3 San Francisco Parks”, Photographic essay, Koniski, 2020. (fig. t) “Initial design methodology”, Mixed media, Koniski, 2019. (fig. u) “Initial interventions”, Midterm presentation, Koniski, 2019. (fig. v) “Intervention lighting visualization.” Stud framing, drywall, trace paper and programmable LED lighting, Koniski, 2019. (fig. w) “Full scale unit test”, Stud framing and exterior roofing finish, Koniski, 2019. (fig. x) “Color palette painting”, Acrylic on 34”x 70” handmade 2” canvas, Koniski, 2019. (fig. y) “Color theory diagram & module diagram”, Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. z) “Construction process diagram”, Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. aa) “Intervention exploded axon”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. bb) “Fort Mason Park, analysis - iteration - intervention process”, Photoshop & Sketchup, Koniski, 2020. (fig. cc) “Frame final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. dd) “Enclosure final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. ee) “Path final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. ff) “Field final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. gg) “Slope final selection, Daytime & nighttime render”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. hh) “Fort Mason Park - 5 interventions rendered day & night”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. jj) “Dolores Park - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020. (fig. jj) “Dolores Park - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

(fig. kk) “James Herman Cruise Terminal - 5 Final topology interventions daytime & nighttime site plan”, Sketch up and Photoshop, Koniski, 2020.

grant koniski

Master of Architecture Thesis (Abridged Version) University of Cincinnati Advisor: Michael McInturf

04.24.2020

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