De'Sean Morris | Finding a Lost Style

AFTER INTERNATIONAL & A SEMIOTIC HYPOTHESIS

PREFACE

“…rectilinear forms; light, tight plain surfaces that have been completely stripped of applied ornamentation and decoration; open interior spaces; and visual weightless quality and gender by the use of cantilever construction. Glass and steel in combination with usually less visible reinforced concrete, other characteristic materials of construction.”

Encyclopedia Britannica | 2020

» PRIVATE NOWHERE » PUBLIC NOWHERE

At first it seemed like a bad idea to start off the conversation with the topic of the international style. For the subject of this thesis, International style and modernism seems to be a bit far off topic especially considering New Age aesthetics and the Socio-political climate today. As I reminisce on earlier ideas of what this thesis might be, I recall a modernism theory seminar from undergrad where we studied Ed Ford’s books on the details of the great works of the modern and mid-century modern eras. I am most interested in the influences of the ideas of Corbusier and Gropius.

The latter less so Only because Gropius’ ideas and designs had much less of a direct impact on the kind of architecture discussed here. 1 Corbusier’s work however, uniquely envisioned multifamily residential structures. Unlike those tall glass office buildings that are typically imagined when the international style is brought up in conversation, the residential structures that took

Still from The Wire

McCullough Homes Baltimore, MD.

after this style were made mainly of opaque, rough materials and had programs that typically emphasized flexible interior and

» PRIVATE NOWHERE

» PUBLIC NOWHERE

PIERCE MODEL APPLIED TO SOCIAL & FILM SEMIOTIC RELATIONSHIP OF INFLUENCE

Referent; Signified;

Physical

Sign: Representamen

ce

Elements ( Conventional Signifiers ) Scenes [Minor Signs] (Iconic Signifier)

Setting

Re

fe re n

ce

Symbolic

fe re n

Symbolic

Re

Reference

Media & Film [ Major Sign ] ( Iconic Signifier )

Theme

Reference

Social / Spatial Quality

Reference

Meta’

Interpretation

╔ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚ ╔ ║ ╚

Symbolic

PIERCE’S TRIANGLE

Social Condition

Signifier Signified Influence Signifier

╥ ║ ║ ║ ╚ ╔ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚ ╔ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╨

CREATOR

VIEWER

INTERVENER

Consumption of Media

Consumption of Media

Interpretation of Sign

Initial Deconstruction

Reaction to New Sign / Generation of Interpreted image

Observation of Community Reaction to Sign

Social Semiotic Restructuring

Drawing Connections to Sign Reactions

Sign Perception as Influence / Redefining the Social Structure

Creating a New Sign

Documenting Events & Creating the Media Sign Delivered as Media

Sign Delivered as Media

Influence of Sign Documenting Events & Creating the Media

Consumption of Media Interpretation of Sign Reaction to New Sign / Generation of Interpreted image Realization of Symbol / Construction

DECONSTRUCTING FILM CONSTRUCTING SPACE

» RAP » GRAFFITI » BREAKING » MC-ING

» RAP

» GRAFFITI » BREAKING » MC-ING

» RAP » GRAFFITI

» BREAKING » MC-ING

» RAP » GRAFFITI » BREAKING

» MC-ING

» RAP

» GRAFFITI

» BREAKING

» KNOWLEDGE

» MC-ING

“MEDSTA” THE MEDIATION STATION

SAW CUT CONTROL JOINT

MEDSTA 2

1

PAINTED BOLLARD BOLTED TO CONCRETE ANCHORS

ASPHALT

MEDSTA VIEWS MAP 3/16" = 1'-0"

4 MED STA

2

4 4 MED STA MED STA

MEDSTA MEDSTA VIEWS VIEWS MAPMAP 2 3/16"3/16" = 1'-0" = 1'-0"

PAINTED BOLLARD SAW CUT CONTROL JOINT EXPANSION JOINT BOLTED TO CONCRETE WITH SEALANT AND BACKER ROD ANCHORS

2

3 3 MED STA MED STA

CONCRETE BOLLARD FOOT SET INTO ASPHALT SAW CUT CONTROL JOINT

2

2 SAWBOLLARD CUT CONTROL JOINT FRONT DET 1/2" = 1'-0" FRONT BOLLARD DET EXPANSION JOINT 3 SEALANT AND BACKER ROD 1/2" WITH = 1'-0"

3

MEDSTA MEDSTA 2 2

SAW CUT CONTROL JOINT

FRONT BOLLARD DET 1/2" = 1'-0"

3 MED STA

3

1

BOLTED TOCONTROL CONCRETE SAW CUT ANCHORS JOINT

MEDSTA 2

1

PAINTEDSIDEWALK BOLLARD EXISTING BOLTED TO CONCRETE ANCHORS PAINTED BOLLARD

MEDSTA MEDSTA 2 2

EXISTING SIDEWALK

EXPANSION JOINT CONCRETE BOLLARD FOOT ROD WITH SEALANT AND BACKER SET INTO ASPHALT

2

CONCRETE BOLLARD FOOT SET INTOBOLLARD ASPHALT PAINTED BOLTED TO CONCRETE ANCHORS PAINTED BOLLARD BOLTED TO CONCRETE ASPHALT ANCHORS ASPHALT

1 REAR BOLLARD DET 4 1/2" = 1'-0" REAR BOLLARD DET 4 1/2" = 1'-0" www.autodesk.com/revit

www.autodesk.com/revit www.autodesk.com/revit

MEDIATION STATION

No.

Owner Project Name Owner Owner Project Name Project Name

Description

Date

Unnamed

Project number Date MEDIATION STATION 1 Drawn by Checked by MEDIATION STATION 1No. Description Date

No.

Description

Date

Project Number Issue Date Author Checker

MED STA Scale As indicated

Unnamed Project number Project Number UnnamedIssue Date Date Project number Drawn by Date Checked by Drawn by Checked by

Project Number Author Issue Date Checker Author Checker

MED STA MED STA Scale As indicated Scale As indicated

4/18/2021 4/18/2021 11:52:25 11:52:25 PM PM

REAR BOLLARD DET 1/2" = 1'-0"

4/18/2021 11:52:25 PM

4

RAIL SYSTEM UILT ON SITE

---

2 DSTA 2

5/8" SUB-FLOOR 2" STEEL DECK

0' - 0 5/8" 0' - 2"

WOOD GUARDRAIL SYSTEM BUILT ON SITE 2 MEDSTA 2

D BOLLARDS

Level 1 0' - 0"

ANT AND OD JOINT

WOOD FLOOR BUIKT UP FROM STEEL PLATE

STAIR SECTION - Callout 1 2 1/2" = 1'-0"

PERFORATED SLIP RESISTANT STEEL PLATES FASTENED TO STEEL FRAMEWORK

---

PAINTED BOLLARDS

Project Name

No.

Description

Date

Unnamed Project number Date Drawn by Checked by

Project Number Issue Date Author Checker

MEDSTA 2 Scale As indicated

4/19/2021 1:46:58 AM

Owner www.autodesk.com/revit

Level 1 0' - 0"

1/2" SEALANT AND BACKER ROD JOINT

STAIR SECTION 1 1/4" = 1'-0"

1

STAIR SECTION 1/4" = 1'-0"

Owner www.autodesk.com/revit

Project Name

No.

Description

0' - 4"

PERFORATED SLIP RESISTANT STEEL PLATES FASTENED TO STEEL FRAMEWORK

3/4" FLOOR FINISH PANELS

0' - 4"

WOOD FLOOR FROM STEEL PLATE

0' - 0 3/4" 0' - 7 1/4"

VINYL CANOPY SYSTEM

BREAK ARENA

CHAINLINK FENCE BOLTED IN PLAC 5' - 0" 1' - 0" 0' - 3"

2' - 0"

0' - 8"

2' - 0"

1' - 0"

BBO 1' - 5 1/4"

CHAINLINK FENCE BOLTED IN PLACE

0' - 3"

0' - 8"

2' - 0"

1' - 0"

3 BBOY PAD

Level 2 4' - 0"

TYP 0' - 6"

1' - 5 1/4"

1 PATTERN IF STEP FORMED WITH RISER

1' - 0"

1' - 5 1/4"

0' - 6"

SAW CUT CONTROL JOINT CENTERED ON SLAB

TYP

0' - 1"

CONCRETE, ALUMINUM, OR WOOD SEET CAP BOLTED TO STEEL PLATE

0' - 10" 0' - 1" TYP

1' - 5" 1' - 0"

2

1' - 0"

1' - 0"

1' - 0"

KEY JOINT OR SLIP DOWEL WITH SEALANT OVER BACKER ROD AND 1/2" EXPANSION JOINT FILLER

concrete footing 1/2" = 1'-0"

3

CONCRETE, ALUMINUM, OR WOOD SEET CAP BOLTED TO STEEL PLATE

1' - 0"

2

1' - 0"

1' - 0"

concrete footing 1/2" = 1'-0"

BENCH DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

1/4" STEEL PLATE BOLTED TO CONCRETE FORM

CUSTOM STEEL BENCH LEGS

1/4" STEEL PLATE BOLTED TO CONCRETE FORM

w.autodesk.com/revit

Owner www.autodesk.com/revit

Owner Project Name

No.

Description

Date

Unnamed Project number Date Drawn by Checked by

Project Number Issue Date Author Checker

BBOY PAD Scale As indicated

4/18/2021 11:17:58 PM

H DETAIL '-0"

1' - 5"

TYP

FOOTING TO EXTEND TO FROST LINE (30" AVG IN MARYLAND) OVER 6" GRAVEL BED

CUSTOM STEEL BENCH LEGS

FOOTING TO EXTEND TO FROST LINE (30" AVG IN MARYLAND) OVER 6" GRAVEL BED

0' - 10" 0' - 1"

Level 1 0' - 0"

1' - 0"

TYP

TYP

TYP

1' - 6"

5' - 0"

0' - 1"

3' - 0"

0' - 0 3/4"

1' - 0"

0' - 2 1/2"

1' - 5 1/4"

CHAMFER CUT SLAB EDGE AT STEP

1' - 6" 1' - 0"

BBOY PAD

1' - 0"

1' - 5 1/4"

1' - 0" 2' - 0"

1' - 5 1/4"

5' - 0"

Level 2 4' - 0"

TYP 0' - 6"

Project Name

No.

Descr

GRAFF WALL

CONCRETE FOOTING FOR POSTS AWNING STRUCTURE OVERHEAD

ALUMINUM ROLLER TRACK MOUNT BOLTED TO PRECAST COPING

DOUBLE WYTHE GROUT FILLED CAVITY WALL

PRECAST CONCRETE COPING ON FLASHING. FORMED WITH DRIP EDGE

0' - 8"

0' - 3"

CABLE TIES

ALUMINUM LOUVERS ON A ROLLER TRACK

0' - 10"

STEEL OR WOOD POST

STEEL OR WOOD POST ANCHORED IN CONCRETE FOOTING

4' - 5 5/8"

ALUMINUM ROLLER TRACK

GRAFF WALL PLAN 1/4" = 1'-0"

SECTION AT POST TYP

SECTION BETWEEN POSTS TYP

9' - 0"

1/2" JOINT WITH SEALANT AND BACKER ROD

5' - 1 1/2"

Level 1 0' - 0"

1

GRAFF WALL

3

GRAFF SECTION 1/2" = 1'-0"

Owner www.autodesk.com/revit

Project Name

No.

Description

Date

Unnamed Project number Date Drawn by Checked by

Project Number Issue Date Author Checker

4/19/2021 3:18:52 AM

2

GRAFF WALL Scale As indicated

OGC

SINGLE WYTHE BRICK COPING OVER FLASHING

0' - 8"

1

7' - 6 5/8"

1' - 1 3/8" 3' - 0"

MOVABLE SEATING OR ANCHORED CONCRETE STOOLS

KEY JOINT OR SLIP DOWEL WITH SEALANT OVER BACKER ROD AND 1/2" EXPANSION JOINT FILLER 2' - 0"

3" MARBLE STEPS AND RISERS IN MORTAR BED

6' - 8"

REINFORCED CONCRETE LINTEL

OG SECT 1/4" = 1'-0"

EXISTING PAVER

Level 1 0' - 0"

1 OGC 2

2 OGC

O 5 TY G SID EE P LE V OGC

BRICK INFILL 4 OG MID ELEV

OG CORNER

EXISTING OR INSTALLED POST FOOTING

GROUT FILLED CMU CAVITY AT COLUMN INSERTS TYP

OGC

3

OGC VIEWS MAP 3/16" = 1'-0"

ANCHOR TIES AT BRICK AND CMU JOINTS

PRE-CAST CONCRETE LINTEL

5' - 4"

CONTROL JOINT

STRUCT PLAN DET 1/2" = 1'-0"

SINGLE WYTHE BRICK COPING OVER FLASHING 4' - 0 3/16"

5

OG SIDE ELEV TYP 1/4" = 1'-0"

4

OG MID ELEV 1/4" = 1'-0" No.

Description

Date

1 PM

2

14' - 8"

6' - 8"

1

MC TOWER

THE “TRENCHES” AND SOUTH CENTRAL AVE: A SITE STUDY

PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITY MAPPING

Problem Solution layering

Problem/ Solution matrix

Following the process of mapping and data analysis, I began layering and synthesizing portions of data in an attempt to find repetitions and rhythms of instances. By realising these rhythms within the urban fabric, I would be mapping the zones in which different interventions could take place. After the problem/ opportunity matrix and the intervention potential map, I began to determine what types of interventions would be placed where. This process was guided by three following themes revealed in the problem/ solution map: A perceived safety issue, influenced by lack of activity along the street edge and little pedestrian zone delineation an Unsupported youth population, influenced by a shortage of green and recreational spaces in a heavy car traffic area and a Connectivity issue, influenced by existing transit routes, little parking, and difficult traffic conditions.

Property Lines Green Spaces

Trolley MTA Station Stop

Tree Canopy

Pedestian Bridge Connection

Land Vacancy

High Youth Population Residential

Building Vacancy

Busy Streets of Focus

MORRIS

418

DESIGN

REALIZING THE URBAN CONEXT THROUGH DATA

On the east boardwalks of the Baltimore harbor lay some of the city’s most lively and popular neighborhoods. Harbor East, Little Italy, The Harbor front, Fells Point and others end at the fringes of a portion of the city that is unfortunately ridden with crime and vacancy. This seemingly forgotten area is uniquely situated at the back ends of a few neighborhoods and connected by the wide corridor of Central Avenue.

The goal of this project was to Intervention focus studies propose an intervention that may reactivate this portion of the downtown area. My process toward finding an intervention began with site visits and site mapping. From site visits and mapping, I realized that the public pedestrian realm was challenged by difficult curb conditions. The problem with these conditions is heightened by the abundance of arterial streets and transit lines that cross through this area with a large youth population and surrounding amenities.

6

ns.

Institutional hub zone.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Evident Manicuring

4

4

M

6

Commercial coridor.

es.

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Desolate.

Peripheral activity.

Institutional hub zone.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Evident Manicuring

Underused public space.

Pedestrian zone deliniation.

Somewhat privatised.

Developed.

Suburban grid.

Manicured.

Somewhat privatised.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

Separated from most activity.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Commercial coridor.

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

Commercial hub.

Development focus.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Intervention Options 6 Consistent urban conditions.

Underused public space.

Pedestrian zone deliniation.

4

4 4

Separated from most activity.

5

6

4

4

5

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

5

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

4 4

6

4

4

4

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

4 5

6 Commercial hub.

4

6

8

4 4

3

6 6

Development focus.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

8

4

4 3

4 3

5

4 5

5

3

3

6

4

4

6

ment focus.

5

4 3

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

3

3

4

4

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

6

4

8

6 6

Commercial coridor.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

3

tised. cus.

4

6

M

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

4

6

Somewhat privatised.

Developed.

Suburban grid.

Manicured.

Somewhat privatised.

4

4

M Desolate.

Peripheral activity.

4

Institutional hub zone.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Evident Manicuring

Somewhat developed.

Fabric erosion.

8

6 6 M 4

M

and south.

Consistent urban conditions.

4

6

y.

Data mapping Somewhat developed.

Fabric erosion.

M

4

M

Site

Early analysis Early analysis

3

6

4

4 5

5

3

4

5

3

4

shift. ner streets. lopment focus. ward building adjacencies.

he he ar st, nt, at he en is ped. is nd amenity hub. ck ds de e. to at of ss on te nd he as rb th ed al at th nd s.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Consistent urban conditions.

Consistent housing typology.

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Evident Manicuring

Underused public space.

Pedestrian zone deliniation.

Desolate.

Peripheral activity.

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

Somewhat privatised.

Developed.

Suburban grid.

Manicured.

Somewhat privatised.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

Commercial coridor.

Institutional hub zone.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Evident Manicuring

Somewhat developed.

Fabric erosion.

Desolate.

Peripheral activity.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent urban conditions.

Thinner streets.

Somewhat developed.

Fabric erosion.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

Underused public space.

Pedestrian zone deliniation.

Separated from most activity.

Commercial coridor.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

Commercial hub.

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Development focus.

Somewhat privatised.

Developed.

Suburban grid.

Manicured.

Somewhat privatised.

Commercial hub.

Development focus.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

Separated from most activity.

Commercial hub.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Consistent urban conditions.

Somewhat developed.

Fabric erosion.

6

Development focus.

6

Somewhat privatised.

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

4

Separated from most activity.

8

6 6

Commercial coridor.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Development focus.

Awkward building adjacencies.

4

4

Thinner streets.

Consistent housing typology.

4

Grid shift.

3 Thinner streets.

Delineation5of pedestrian zones at curb.

3 Consistent housing typology.

Somewhat privatised.

Development focus.

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Consistent housing typology.

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

4

Somewhat privatised.

6 focus.

Development

M

Grid shift.

Thinner streets.

Institutional hub zone.

4

Cultural4 center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Underused public space.

Pedestrian zone deliniation.

Developed.

Suburban grid.

Manicured.

Somewhat privatised.

4

Institutional hub zone.

Delineation of pedestrian zones at curb.

Evident Manicuring

M Desolate.

Peripheral activity.

Commercial coridor.

Awkward building adjacencies.

Innactive pedestrian zones.

Industrial corridors to west and south.

6

4

4

6

4

4

Highly developed.

Institutional and amenity hub.

4 5

6 Commercial hub.

Development focus.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

3

4

4

6

6 6

5

8 4

4

4 3

5

Commercial hub.

3

6

4 5

5

3

4

Development focus.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.

Cultural center Thinner Streets.

Consistent housing typology.