Undergraduate Thesis

NUPOOR MADUSKAR

UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Undergraduate Thesis 2020 Bachelor of Architecture College of Architecture and Design Virginia Tech Advised by Margarita McGrath and Kay Edge

05 June, 2020 Produced by Nupoor Maduskar

(i)

iâ żBetween Architecture

A special thank you to my parents, professors and colleagues for their unlimited support and guidance through this incredible journey. Every contribution has helped me grow into the person and designer that I have become today.

(iii)

THE SPACES BETWEEN SPACES

(v)

Taking the eye off of the built environment for a moment, I want to study the peripheral space on the outside of buildings, we can call it the space in between buildings. Each of these in-between space acts as a fusion of two elements to create its own horizon. This space that most of us use mindlessly for transition, holds years of architectural contexts, overlaps of private and public areas, cultural values, extensions of the built programs, range in scales and topography, and extremes of density.

ABSTRACT

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EARLY QUESTIONS

5

THE PROPOSAL

25

THE POSTSCRIPT

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Table of Contents

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INTRODUCTION Where the ocean meets the sky and where the ocean meets the ground form two different “horizons.” This image inspired the idea of the space held between the ground and the sky.

This begged the question; what happens in the space between architecture? in-be·tween (space) /ˌinbəˈˌtwēn/ adjective 1. situated somewhere between two extremes or recognized categories; intermediate.

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The space left inbetween buildings allows for a range of activities that culminate into what Jane Jacobs defines as the ‘street ballet.’ A quick nod between two neighbors; families walking their dogs around the block; acknowledging the same commuters taking the same train everyday; children playing on the streets; taking breaks with colleagues to get chai from the local vendor; all are routine activities that begin to establish a connection between strangers and build a strong sense of community in the process.

Using the ‘street ballet’ as a premise, this thesis aims to create a public space that acts a backdrop for various activities, routine and unplanned. The site is treated as an extended sidewalk, a fitting venue for the dance between people to take place. Along with this concept, a collection of elements is added that enables the environment to take on the intrinsic qualities of the intermediate and allows the space to become open to adaptation. This space gives a chance for frequent users and visitors from different communities to connect.

Abstract

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EARLY QUESTIONS

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Conceptual Drawings

How to draw the iâ żbetween?

Playing with different formations of solids and voids, overlapping planes and colors, the study starts to generate a way of thinking about the iâ żbetween space.

An axon study focusing on bounding plane conditions of an inbetween space.

Early Questions

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Conceptual Drawings

Implying the iⁿBetween Using overlaying lines to mark an invisible iⁿbetween begins to imply a three dimensional presence. The more layered areas can be observed as “inside” and the more open areas would form the “outside”. The second drawing questions the flexibility these planes can have. Various 3D model studies were inspired from the nature of the drawings.

Line plan drawing made to represent layered planes to trace inbetween.

Early Questions

(ii)

(iii)

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Conceptual Models

(i)

Model Studies The models here were constructed as a series. (i) The model investigated the question of how much space between two objects can be considered “inbetween,”? (ii) The spatial translation of the line drawing, (iii) The casting of the negative space held by model (ii) to “see“ its inbetween space.

Rockite and cardboard study models that question in between space.

Early Questions

i.

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ii.

v.

iii.

vii.

iv.

Conceptual Models

vi.

(iv) Layers were organized to create iâ żbetween space. The different colors represent different height layers which intersect to form adaptable spaces.

A step to step diagram of translating the drawing into models.

Early Questions

Evening Walkers

Street Vendors Children playing

Green Gathering Areas

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Conceptual Drawings

Experiencing the iⁿbetween Routine : I take a walk with my friends around the same time everyday, drinking Chai at our local cart under a lush Neem tree, watching the sun as it descends into the horizon. The weather becomes ideal just as a cool breeze calms the heat and the bustle of Mumbai. I take refuge from the daily drudgery and reconnect with my senses as I watch others doing the same. Everyone starts to gravitate away from their homes, into this open space inbetween which the community shares, to find their peace. : Community

The axon conceptualizes the “inbetween space“ and highlights its common and flexible uses.

Early Questions

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Early Studies

Conceptual Drawings

Ideal Public iâ żBetween The in-between space generally allows for adaptation of program and space itself. Spaces created within a framework of wooden layers, at elevation but also in section, produce spaces to gather, play, perform and relax.

Spaces to play, relax, perform and gather.

Early Questions

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Case Studies

How does a site and its topography dictate the activity in it?

The Drillfield at Virginia Tech is bowl shaped in section allowing it to have different zones. The open leveled area in the middle becomes an activity-filled zone while the sloped area with trees becomes a relaxing zone.

Section of the Drillfield, Virginia Tech.

Early Questions

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Case Studies

How do people adapt to limited space?

Temporary architecture is created by adapting limited spaces with layered textiles or creating make-shift scaffoldings. Such structures not only change the intended use of the space but also the density of people using these spaces.

Markets in India showing how people adapt limited space in terms of form and program.

Early Questions

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Case Studies

How and where do people gather?

Trees and dappling light subconsciously attract people by creating comfortable seating. This is one of the reasons why parks and public spaces feature trees as an element to provide a pause from the bustling activity around them.

Elevation of a tree in a village(top) and a section of the South Garden, Chicago(bottom) supported by plans.

Early Questions

THE

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PROPOSAL

TO SITUATE

Chicago is a city with vibrant streets right next to residential areas in its diverse neighborhoods. This form of city planning creates overlapping conditions between communities and between public and private spaces.

Map of Chicago’s neighborhoods highlighting Wicker Park.

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Chicago Neighborhoods

The Proposal

To Situate

The Neighborhood The site in Wicker Park acts as a mediator between two different dynamics of the same neighborhood, vibrant and quiet. This overlapping condition allows frequent access of new visitors as well as people who reside around it.

Map compares the vibrancy of active streets in blue vs. the quietness of the residential part of the neighborhood below.

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The Proposal

To Situate

A Hub The site sits between the intersection of five vibrant streets on one side and a quieter residential neighborhood on the other. The metro stop nearby ensures a surge of pedestrian activity which the project is a hub for.

Map highlights the site with a ring of pedestrian activity. 1572 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Il.

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M

etr

o

Sto

p

The Proposal

To Situate

Zone Formations The topography of the sidewalk is changed to create different zones for varying activities as opposed to a plain path. The pink zone forms the observation area, blue is the activity area and the yellow becomes the transition area.

Series of axon diagrams explaining the zone formations on the site

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i.

iv.

ii.

v. iii.

The Proposal

To Situate

The Sidewalk The "street ballet" potential exists in the outside environment, the city’s i⠿between, the sidewalk. By treating the site as a sidewalk, it inherits the potential for public interactions and activities to take place.

Site Plan.

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B

A

C' C

10'

25'

A'

B'

0'

The Proposal

BETWEEN QUALITIES

IN

Elements that are integral to the formation of the inbetweens formally organize the site to create areas for gathering and adaptation. These architectural elements were solutions that embody the essential qualities which are needed to create a inbetween public space.

Exploded axonometric with elements that make the whole.

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To Organize The Roof

To Adapt The Panels

To Pause Tree Canopy

To Gather The Bench

To Situate Groundscape

The Proposal

TO ORGANIZE

The roof is anchored on the panels making it the inviting force of the site. The roof manipulates shadows with its pattern giving the various adaptations of the site a stage.

Exploded Axon highlighting the roof.

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The Proposal

To Organize

Marking Territories The roof form plays with light, marking the inside (more light) and the outside(less light) of the iâ żbetween. Such a formation allows for the programs that the site can adapt to happen in its dedicated space without setting strict boundaries.

Roof Plan.

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0'

10'

25'

The Proposal

TO ADAPT

The wooden panels divide the site into iâ żbetweens. They create a duality of public, semi-public and inside, outside.

Exploded Axon highlighting the panels.

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The Proposal

To Adapt

Program Keeping the site open from other barriers, the panels become a backdrop for different functions. The site can take form of weekly farmers markets, temporary cafes or performance spaces, or pop us stores and restaurants. Such flexibility allows for the iâ żbetween to be used to its maximum potential.

Diagrams show how different uses can demand different formation of space using the panels.

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i.

iii.

Farmers Market

Pedestrian's Space

ii.

iv.

Theater Space

Pop-Up Restaurant

The Proposal

TO GATHER

Two seating elements give the users an opportunity to either observe the city (a) or be a part of the active center (b). Contrasting the roof 's rigid nature, the strategically placed trees create a second canopy and allow for a dynamic play of light the usually attracts people to gather.

Exploded Axon highlighting the Seating Elements.

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A (tree canopy) B (the bench)

The Proposal

To Situate

Materiality The extended sidewalk changes materiality from concrete to wood and further into a greenscape. The ground materiality plays a role in zoning off various areas of activity on the site.

Exploded Axon highlighting the ground along with its wood texture materiality.

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Wooden path Greenscape Concrete

The Proposal

Section Perspectives

A

Multiple iâ żBetweens Two adjuncting inbetweens are created by this gesture. While one places you into reality (the city), the other takes you away from it into multiple possible worlds of its own(the proposal).

Sectional perspectives merged into one drawing ordered according the cityscapes.

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B

C'

A'

C

B'

The Proposal

Exploded Roof

Structure Many parts come together to form a variable roof structure and allows for various formal possibilities. A section of the structure is captured in the exploded axon.

Exploded axon highlighting the connection of parts of the roof.

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Joists

Column

Pivot panels held with a metal hinge in center

Column

The Proposal

Perspectives

Similar to the drawing above, the perspective show that the space is adaptable by how and when you look at it.

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Farmers Market

The Proposal

Perspectives

Perspective shows that the space is adaptable, can turn from a market to a theater space.

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Theater Space

The Proposal

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THE

POSTSCRIPT

The above spreads show research and sketches capturing the development through the project.

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Research and Process

The Postscript

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Precedent Studies

Precedent Studies Studies of specific qualities of certain projects that provided inspiration to the Proposal. These qualities were transparency, structure and materials, restoring an inbetween and scale.

Precedents (left to right): Grace Farms CT, Nest we Grow CA; High Line NY, Central Park NY.

The Postscript

RCR, La Lira Bridge

High Line, NYC

Elemental Social Housing

Herzog and DeMeuron, Fun hofe

Herzog and DeMeuron, Fun hofe

Place Schuman, Cobe

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Spanish Steps, Rome

The Pinch Library And Community Center

Precedents

Looking Forward Looking forward, the concept of inBetween Architecture is envisioned to inhabit various different communities. The concept is context-specific in terms of how its users interact with the project and site. Although, the project allows for enough flexibility to translate the concept onto multiple sites using a set of elements that embody the qualities of an inbetween space (gathering areas, adaptation, relaxation and routine transitions). By amplifying the in-between and its qualities, these spaces will allow for a place to pause and connect; with each other and the surroundings.

The Postscript