Dutch Dialogues

Dutch Dialogues… Continuation: 4-5 Year Design Studio Tulane University School of Architecture Professor John P. Klingman

Fall 2009

Introduction           Program      Pedagogical Objective     

Fall 2009

Dutch Dialogues‌ Continuation Tulane University School of Architecture Professor John P. Klingman Project 1

Felicity Street Infill Canal/Cascade Neighborhood Waterhouse

In the twentieth century an emphasis on citywide infrastructure projects was a dominant paradigm. New Orleans undertook centralized city water supply, sanitary sewer system and storm drainage along with electrical, communications and transportation systems. Hurricane Katrina severely damaged these systems, and their piecemeal repair has proceeded, but a twenty-first century paradigm has not been established. Under the auspices of the Dutch Dialogues engagement, it is now possible to project necessary and important new ideas for water infrastructure in New Orleans.

In the neighborhood scale study of Dutch Dialogues II, principles emerged that can now be extended and tested through design. The principles begin with reestablishing a high level of groundwater to prevent subsidence, partially through a new network of wet constantly flowing canals. Secondly, greatly increased accommodation for rainwater is required, through a network of holding areas and cascades. Thirdly, establishing a reduced and possibly decentralized potable water system alongside of the rainwater system is considered if groundwater is a purer future source compared to river water.

In relating these principles to the morphology of New Orleans, a radial canal system supplementing the existing subterranean canal system has been proposed by Dutch Dialogues. The streets that correspond to urban grid shifts, often early plantation boundaries seem particularly appropriate for this new system. Our test street will be Felicity, from the river to its lower end at Claiborne Avenue.

Hydrology The hydrostatic pressure from the Mississippi River allows for a spring to be established nearby. This spring will provide a source for water constantly flowing in the proposed Felicity Street canal. In months of low water, Mississippi River water can be pumped into the canal as necessary. The canal acts as a groundwater recharge source during dry weather. During rainy weather, it becomes a component of the water retention/storm drainage system. Thus, an ability to accommodate differing flows is an important characteristic of the canal design. Adjacent to the canal will be other water holding components. These will include the streets in limited capacity, green spaces and holding ponds. It is also anticipated that buildings along the canal could house elevated storage of rainwater for community and individual use.

Felicity Street Canal/Cascade The canal needs to be continuous, but it can shift plan location to respond to existing conditions of trees, utilities, building entrances, etc. The street section will be completely redesigned. However, a twelve-foot fire lane is required, and every building must have public pedestrian access. It is assumed that parking for buildings along the canal will be elsewhere on the block. The canal right of way also has strong potential as a recreational amenity for biking, running, etc. Each longitudinal street will bridge the canal. At these locations a cascade, perhaps with a movable weir can be considered. In dry weather the canal may carry moving water only a few inches deep. In rainy weather the canal becomes part of the storm water retention/discharge system. Thus its capacity will enlarge. This water is contaminated with urban detritus so bioremedial strategies are encouraged. It is important to propose locations adjacent to the canal where water holding can be accommodated. The closer the site is to the lake, the greater the requirement for water holding.

Neighborhood Waterhouse                STUDENTS               SPECIAL THANKS TO OUTSIDE PROFESSIONALS:               

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Matt Hostetler

5

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Matt Mostetler

6

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Nick Cecchi

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Nick Cecchi

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Corey Green + Colin Van Wingen

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Kepple + Christian Rodriguez

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Krisitan Mizes

open lots parking lots

diagram_open lots

floodable skate park 1

marsh park 2

pixel crossing 3

run-off filtration zone 4 pixel field 5

strategy_surface run-off The design addresses the large percentage of surroundinng real estate currently empty or used as parking lots by collecting and filtering the resulting large quantity of run-off then introducing it into the larger canal system.

Public interaction with the canal is promote by creating a language of concrete pixels that protrude from the water and create opportunities for local eco-system development as well as make a visual connection to indigenous cypress swamps, further encouraging water filtration.

Finally, the right of way of the former Felicity Street nearly doubles in width at Baronne street which becomes an opportunity for variable large-capacity storage. The canal is therefore split with one with one channel periodically occupiable as a skate park and the other continuously filled, further promoting public engagement with the water.

diagram_block features

RAIN

FILTER RUN-OFF CANAL

process_filtration

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

perspective_marsh park

section_double canal + marsh park

The park suspended above features a shifting topography allowing the high water to permeate the landscape while filtering run-off at all times into the canal.

The second parallel canal is possible as the right of way doubles in width at the block and is used as variable storage, remaining dry in low to normal water levels and filled in times of flash flooding.

The shift of the streetgrid leaves a triangular piece of public land, normally unusable. This land is enveloped into the canal scheme as a skatepark which provides presently lacking recreation opportunity as well as large water storage in times of high precipitation.

perspective_skatepark

section_double canal + skatepark

0'

4'

8'

12'

water levels_skatepark + occupiable canal 14

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

perspective_pixel crossing The pixel crossing is a bridge of concrete blocks with varying heights that become an opportunity for interaction with the water as well as a home for micro-organisms and plant life.

5’

section_pixel crossing

30’

The run-off filtration zones each are built as urban constructed wetlands with layers of large aggregate for filtration and soils for plant life, further filtering run-off. The zones use the same reef-like forms to create filtrating plant environments to receive the water shed from streets and parking lots.

12’

perspective_run-off filter zone 15

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

The large pixel field takes advantage of a previously unusable triangle of public space as well as a portion of an existing street to create a public park that exposes its ecological advantages to its users. The main canal carries at all times at least a low level of water while expanding into the pixel field in higher levels. The park is reminescent of indigenous cypress swamps of the area.

12’

5’

32’

0-32’ section_pixel field

mulch soil + plants loamy sand aggregate geotextile

section_detail run-off filter zone

4'

6'

perspective_pixel field

8'

10'

water levels_skatepark + pixel field 16

FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Caitlin McElrath

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Caitlin McElrath

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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FELICITY STREET CANAL

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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Dutch Dialogues‌ Continuation Tulane University School of Architecture Professor John P. Klingman Project 2

Fall 2009

Hoffman Triangle Lake District Claiborne Avenue Edge

In the twentieth century an emphasis on citywide infrastructure projects was a dominant paradigm. New Orleans undertook centralized city water supply, sanitary sewer system and storm drainage along with electrical, communications and transportation systems. Hurricane Katrina severely damaged these systems, and their piecemeal repair has proceeded, but a twenty-first century paradigm has not been established. Under the auspices of the Dutch Dialogues engagement, it is now possible to project necessary and important new ideas for water infrastructure in New Orleans.

In the neighborhood scale study of Dutch Dialogues II, principles emerged that can now be extended and tested through design. The principles begin with reestablishing a high level of groundwater to prevent subsidence, partially through a new network of wet constantly flowing canals. Secondly, greatly increased accommodation for rainwater is required, through a network of holding areas and cascades. Thirdly, establishing a new reduced volume and possibly decentralized potable water system alongside of the rainwater system is considered if groundwater is a purer future source compared to river water.

In relating these principles to the morphology of New Orleans, a vast series of linked ponds for water storage in low areas supplementing the existing subterranean canal system has been proposed by Dutch Dialogues. The Hoffman Triangle, an area in Central City below sea level is one of these areas; it was hard hit by flooding after Katrina. The apex of the triangle is at Pumping Station #1, and many buildings in the area are being demolished. It is appropriate to consider a new strategy for urban design in the area.

The Hoffman Triangle is the bottom of the Central City bowl in New Orleans; the area is vulnerable to flooding from surface runoff during heavy rains. With a soil of organic muck, the area has been highly susceptible to subsidence caused by low ground water levels. Therefore, a strategy of utilizing vacant land for water storage is proposed. A series of interconnected lagoons, ponds, lakes and wetlands is envisioned to greatly increase the water holding capacity of the neighborhood in a controlled manner. Prior to rainstorms, water levels can be pumped down in anticipation of the need for water storage. Wetland zones can change from dry to wet following rainy periods and can provide first flush bioremediation opportunities.

Claiborne Avenue Edge The lake side of Claiborne Avenue is the major public face of the Hoffman Triangle. We will concentrate our efforts there. The wide neutral ground of Claiborne already houses a large underground culvert. Here a change in transportation infrastructure is crucial. The neutral ground is the proposed location of a light rail line connecting the city with the airport upriver and St. Bernard Parish downriver. We will assume a stop at Toledano and a stop at Martin Luther King. Because of the light rail system, the volume of automobile traffic will decrease. Therefore, we will assume two driving lanes and no on-street parking, like Lakeshore Drive. This will produce a consistent available public frontage of about twenty-five feet along the avenue to introduce water.

The building/water interface along Claiborne is of high significance. The strategy of buildings and water coexisting is paramount. It is anticipated that the new light rail will spur mixed-use development along the Claiborne edge. This will consist of buildings of mostly three to four stories with a mix of commercial, office and residential uses. Structured parking may be included as well. Each of the new buildings will have a major water element adjacent to it. The buildings should also house elevated water storage and PV power generating elements.

Each studio group will make an urban design proposal for three contiguous overlapping blocks between Martin Luther King and Toledano St. After the initial exploration, one block can become the focus of more detailed design.

HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Chad Cramer

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Cat Kochanski

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE ad

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Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Caitlin McElrath

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This project began by looking at the urban fabric of the Hoffman Triangle. The streets running NW to SE remain continuous, while streets running NE to SW truncate periodically. The breaking up of these streets allows for the creation of an uninterrupted pedestrian walkway along a system of ponds and canals. This pedestrian path remains continuous until S Galvez street and then again continues until Broad St.

site plan_street + park systems

perspective_down canal 37

HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Caitlin McElrath

water existing

Hurricane damage and blight leave much of the neighborhood available for demolition.

new construction

Areas already demolished or cleared are reserved for water storage while blighted lots are reserved for private development

A pond was located on each block and connected by a system of canals leading ultimately to the Broad Street pumping station.

The pedestrian walkways are bordered by landscaping and wrap around the ponds. When pond are located in the center of the block, the walkway wraps along the edge of the street to create a block with a more intimate situation. If the pond is bordered by a street on two or more of its edges, there is a more natural and wilder landscaping around the edges. The water would filter into the pond through the trees and plants. This would create a less accessible condition. If the pond is only bordered by a street on one of its edges, the landscaping is more controlled using a system of planters. Utilizing level changes, water can be channelled into the pond while maintaining other dryer walkable surfaces.

block plan_green spaces

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Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Caitlin McElrath

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Monica Breziner

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Travis Bost + Kristian Mizes

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Joseph Keppel + Christian Rodriguez

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Corey Green + Colin Van Wingen

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Corey Green + Colin Van Wingen

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Corey Green + Colin Van Wingen

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Nick Cecchi

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Nick Cecchi

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Nick Cecchi

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Matt Hostetler

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Matt Hostetler

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HOFFMAN TRIANGLE + CLAIBORNE AVENUE

Prof. Klingman_Fall 2009_Matt Hostetler

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