Capstone

N O R M A N

G R A I N

SILOS SHELLY ZHU | SENIOR CAPSTONE

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

SPRING 2012

N O R M A N

G R A I N

SILOS SHELLY ZHU | SENIOR CAPSTONE

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

SPRING 2012

PROJECT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Professor Christina J. Hoehn, M. Ed., Assoc. AIA, IIDA, IDEC Assistant Professor, Interiors Graduate Liason Consultants: Preston Kunz 5th Year Architecture Student, Urban Design Studio Janet Biddick IDEC NEWH Assistant Professor, Interior Design Hans E. Butzer, AIA, AK NW, LEED AP Mabrey Presidential Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Jay E. Yowell, LEED AP Adjunct Lecturer

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to Capstone Project Silo Precedent Studies Silo Project Appendices

INTRODUCTION GRAIN SILOS: A HISTORY They serve as a monument to a bygone era; monolithic structures standing on water’s edge waiting for lake and canal freighters that will no longer come. Today all except a few of those enormous buildings are abandoned and no longer serve the industry for which they were designed. As they stand in their decrepit state they remain a mystery to those who view them. Few venture close to investigate their design and operation. At one time in Buffalo’s history, the grain elevators dominated the skyline of the waterfront and served as a symbol of Buffalo’s industrial importance as the largest supplier of grain in the world.

“Art historians, cultural critics, and others have long disagreed about the advent of the intertwined phenomena known as ‘modernity’ and ‘modernism’. Some have dated their beginnings in Zurich and Berlin in the 20th century; others have claimed an even earlier appearance, pointing to Paris in the 1860s. William Brown’s book about grain elevators makes the highly original claim that the essential aspects of modern society were already present in American in the 1840s. Replacing the skyscrapers of Chicago and New York City with the towering grain elevators of Buffalo and Minneapolis.”

-Dr. Kimberly A. Paice Assistant Professor, Art History, University of Cincinnati

BACKGROUND The historical Rhodes Grain Silos in Norman, OK is currently abandoned and scheduled to be demolished in the near future. As an extension of the work done in the Dream Course, the Grain Silos lay just outside the scope of my previous work.

Across the United States there has been a wide-spread effort to “preserve the silos” as they are a part of our nations’ agricultural past and push towards industrialization. The Rhodes Grain Silo was the first silo to be built in this part of Oklahoma, and as part of Norman’s historic fabric I feel that this structure deserves to be celebrated for what it was, what it is now, and what it could be in the future.

ABSTRACT Grain silos are everywhere and as urbanization continues apace there are more and more of them that go unused.

These leftover structures offer a wealth of unused and open but sturdily supported interior space that can be adaptively reused in creative ways. Some people have turned grain silos into homes while other have figured out that a grain silo hotel is a marketable commodity.

Meander north on James Garner Avenue, cross over West Acres Street north of Well Andrews Park and there it stands: a historic piece of the city of Norman’s cultural roots. Strategically positioned west of the railroad tracks sits a currently abandoned grain silo; its massive pure geometric forms tower above the local surrounding neighborhoods. Once the hub of Norman, Oklahoma’s agricultural center, it now sits silent upon the land. A white elephant?

Perhaps, in the eyes of some. Perhaps, a potential community jewel to others. A white elephant is defined as an idiom for a valuable possession of which its owner cannot dispose and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) is out of proportion to its usefulness or worth.”

These existing structures decorate the land across many states and potentially become community eyesores and

often times lend themselves to places of derelict actions by individuals. The question becomes, what are we to do with these once vibrant pieces of industrial architecture?

Can these structures lend themselves to the three R’s of sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle? New federal and state government green initiatives place a call of action to architects, designers, owners, and builders to think how we building and what we can do as a collective society to be mindful of our design and building initiatives. Can these structures qualify for this initiative? Often times these facilities are positioned close to major railroads tying multiple states together. Can we revive these structures to become interesting destination focal points?

RESEARCH DESIGN OBJECTIVE My research design proposal endeavors to further investigate the potential of using an abandoned grain silo to create a new mixed-use facility coupled with apartment lofts and flats, a fitness facility, restaurants, and grocery store.

Additionally, this project will be proposed in phases. Phase I includes the development of the silo and the interior program itself. Phase II extends the streetcar/light rail system already in place in OKC as part of the MAPS 3 initiative into Norman, ending at the current Norman train depot (connecting to Dream Course work). Phase III develops passenger stations along the light rail to connect residents of Norman to OKC and a critical stop will be at the development at the Norman Grain Silo.

1. Utilize adaptive re-use design philosophy 2. Preserve historical character of the existing silos and provide community re-use facility 3. Explore the notion of generating a building’s aesthetic from industrial precedents 4. Develop a mixed-use facility that incorporates green principles 5. Understand historical, conceptual, and design-build precedents and technologies

PRECEDENTS Silos Zeeburgereiland Amsterdam, NL Architecture: NL Architects: Pieter Bannenberg, Walter van Dijk, Kamiel Klassse Contractor: De Nijs en Zonen

The Silos:

an industial to mixed-use conversion of an abandoned Grain Silo

DEMOGAPHIC PROFILES

RESIDENTS - Young professionals - College graduates - Reverse commuters - Small families (1 child) - Existing surrounding neighborhoods

A

- 30 years old - Lives in Silo Lofts - Architect- works in OKC and enjoys the easy transit access - Pet Golden Retreiver - Loves urban architecture

B

C

TARGET BUSINESS - Small startups - Unique retail and restaurants

A

- Owner of Urban Crust - 25 employees - Leases out event space

B

- Manager of Gold’s Gym - 55 employees

- Late 50s - Neighborhood residents - Lawyer and specialty shop owner - Enjoy proximity to local grocery store and Main St. Businesses

Transit Connections Proposed commuter rail line Heartland Flyer/BNSF rail line CART stop (Main Street N10 Red Loop) Bicycle & pedestrian path

PROJECT FRAMEWORK

Phase I

Phase II

Phase II

- mixed use - unique + affordable residential - Grocery anchor - Community facility: Gold’s Gym - Convenient access for surrounding neighborhood residents

-intermodal station for convenient access to downtown OKC (CART + Light Rail) for both future and current neighborhood residents

- local start-ups - unique retail at development - fill-in existing commercial district (Main St. Norman) - requires rezoning per Norman 2025

Neighborhood Core + Residential Density

Transit Hub

Commercial Fill-In

Retaining Wall

Grass Pavers Bioswale Outdoor Seating

Norman Brick

Permeable Paving

The Silos: A new icon for Norman

THE SILOS - Gold’s Gym - Urban Crust - The Silo Lofts

GOLD’S GYM Gold’s Gym is built with the latest cardio and strength training equipment along with an exercise program that offers classes like yoga, group cycling, muscle endurance, pilates, etc. Exercising and watching movies at the same time is easy in the Cardio Cinema room with a large screen and surround sound. Housed within a reconverted grain silo runs a 60’ rock climbing wall.

The silo walls are perfect for climbs that offer a true sense of what it feels like to be really high off the ground.

URBAN CRUST Urban Crust is a wood-fired Italian Pizza Restaurant and rooftop bar. The restaurant centers around a wood burning oven in the open kitchen and a casual urban lounge. For special occassions the open floor space on the third floor can be utilized as a large venue which offers access to a private wine bar. The restaurant’s top floor features a rooftop ice-bar which offers a beautiful wide-view of downtown Norman.

THE SILO LOFTS Life at the Silos: for people going places.

Location is everything, and the Silos have it all: Legacy Trail, Andrews Park, proximity to Main Street Norman, and the ipcoming OCART rail.

The Silos are centrally situated perfectly for a vibrant pedestrian oriented lifestyle.

Community facilities include: - exclusive resident access to Gold’s Gym - on-site laundry and internet facilities - direct access to commuter rail line - private parking - direct pedestrain access within 1 mile to Main Street ameneties

Appendix

The Eight Principles of Main Street

The Eight Principles of Main Street

by National Trust’s National Main Street Center

Comprehensive

Downtown revitalization is a complex process and cannot be accomplished through the completion of a single project. For successful long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach must be utilized.

Incremental

Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the revitalization process and help to develop skills so that more complex problems can be addressed and more ambitious projects can be undertaken.

Self-Help

Local leaders must have the desire and will to make the program successful. The National Main Street Center and the Oklahoma Main Street Program provide direction, ideas and training, but continued and long-term successes depend upon the involvement and commitment of the community.

Public/Private Partnership

Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the viable economic health of the downtown. Each sector has a role to play and must understand the other’s strength and limitations so that an effective partnership can be forged.

Identifying and Capitalizing on Existing Assets

Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities (e.g., the distinctive historical buildings and cultural heritage that give people a sense of belonging.) These local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization process.

Quality

Quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization process. This applies equally to each element of the program, from storefront design to promotional campaigns to educational programs.

Change

Changes in attitude and practice are necessary to improve current economic conditions. Public support for change will build as the program grows.

Implementation-Oriented

Activity creates confidence in the program and even greater levels of participation. Frequent visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization effort is under way. Small project at the beginning of the program pave the way for future successes as the revitalization effort matures.

City of Norman Building Codes The City of Norman Building Codes 2006 International Building Code and Local Amendments Appendix D- Fire Districts Appendix G- Flood Resistant Construction 2006 International Mechanical Code and Local Amendments Appendix A- Combustions Air Openings and Chimney Connector Pass-Throughs 2006 International Fuel Gas Code and Local Amendments Complete Appendices: Appendix A- Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping Appendix B- Sizing of Venting Systems Service appliances equipped with draft hoods. Category 1 appliances and appliances listed for use with type B vents.

Appendix C- Exit Terminals of Mechanical Draft and Direct Vent Venting systems Appendix D- Recommended Procedure for Safety Inspection of an Existing Appliance installation

2006 International Plumbing Code and Local Amendments Appendix B- Rates of Rainfall Appendix C- Gray Water Recycling Systems Appendix D- Degree Day and Design Temperatures Appendix E- Sizing of Water Piping Syupply Appendix F- Structural Safety Appendix G- Vaccum Drainage System 2006 International Energy Conservation Code Complete appendix 2008 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and local amendments 2003 International Property Maintenance Code and Local Amendments Other codes adopted by the City of Norman Fire Department: Most recent edition- Life Safety Code 1997 Edition of NFPA-1 Fire prevention Code