High and Low Block 47th City Infrastructure by Zai Shi

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Instructor： Prof Ostap Rudakevych, Tulay Atak, David Kim

Abstract

There are many advantages for underground architecture, such as the vast majority of the protection of the original environment and providing more exterior space for the city and so on. In the city, the over extraction of underwater and pressure from those skyscrapers lead the subsidence.

The development of architecture is upward. However, this development is unacceptable because too many skyscrapers block the connection to nature.

Based on the building height research, it will have more than 300 buildings higher than 150 meters and 18 buildings will be

Table of Content

500 meters. Although there are so many skyscrapers in Manhattan, 80% of those buildings are office and residential buildings.

Therefore, I think Manhattan is lacking in infrastructure architecture.

The thesis is rethinking the future of infrastructure. How can we develop our future infrastructure? What kind of undeveloped space that we can use for future infrastructure? For minimizing the negative impact (light pollution, destruction of the natural environment) of the city and reinforcing the soil, underground space as a new developing space could be proposed.

Some spaces like abandoned tunnels, abandoned subway stations, small pocket park and extended pedestrian sidewalk edge in the city, all of those can be the potential developing infrastructure. And according to the traffic condition in New York City, the connections among every infrastructure space should be developed underground, so people can access different public spaces without waiting for traffic lights and go to any park space by not experiencing exterior weather conditions like rain or snow.

Introduction

Site Geology

Page 26

Abstract

Page 2

Program

Page 27

Thesis Statement

Page 4

Site Visit Photographs

Page 28

Project Description

Page 6

Sunlight & Shadow Analysis

Page 29

What is Infrastructure & Future Infrastructure Architecture?

Page 7

Site Plan

Page 30

Project Proposal

Page 8

Unroll Site Section - Sky View & Shadow Analysis

Page 31

Site Section

Page 32-33

Case Study Case Study | Apple Store Design in Milan

Page 10

Design Concept

Case Study | Manhattan Union Square Farm Market

Page 11

Design Process

Page 34-35

Case Study | High Line Project

Page 12-13

Final Design Isometric View

Page 36

Case Study | Low Line Project

Page 14-15

Cut Axon with Sectional Analytical Diagram

Page 37

Case Study | Grace Farm

Page 16-17

Floor Plan | Roof Plan

Page 38

Floor Plan | Ground Floor Plan

Page 39

Floor Plan | -1 Floor Plan

Page 40

Floor Plan | -2 Floor Plan

Page 41

Methodology Methodology | Underground Space Types

Page 18

Methodology | Preserve Ground Floor Green Space

Page 19

Methodology | Underground Space Cases

Page 20-21

Long Section 1-2

Page 42-45

Short Section 1-3

Page 46-48

Renders

Page 50-55

About Site Manhattan Underground Tunnels

Fig.1 2

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Page 22-23

Site Context

Page 24

Bibliography

Site Environment Information

Page 25

Bibliography

Page 56-57

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Thesis Statement

The history of underground architecture starts from cave houses, which use natural conditions to form the foundation of the structure, because of the advantages for the properties of cave houses(natural, cool in summer and warm in winter and private). Derinkuyu underground city, which is a historical ruin originally designed for avoiding conflict. This historical ruin shows what underground space can do for people. The complexity and connectivity of space constructed the basic rule for underground architecture. In the section, the underground facilities are allocated in variable locations for different functions of space, so the main consideration is how to make those spaces together and create circulation in the space.

In cities like New York, Paris, and London, public infrastructure space is created under the city for further development. The cost for constructing above ground infrastructure is cheaper than building underground infrastructure, but every city government is doing its best to develop underground buildings, like many of China’s cities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan). Constructing underground infrastructure is important, although the cost for constructing underground facilities is more expensive than above ground

architecture, because the underground space is the main element for pushing urban development. “Urban areas have less room but need more infrastructure— water, wastewater, stormwater, energy utilities, data centers''.(https://gradprograms. mines.edu/blog/a-history-of-tunnelingand-underground-construction-andthe-factors-driving-current-and-futuredemand/)Developing underground space is one promising alternative for solving these problems and meeting the demands of our growing cities.

There is another important factor for designing an underground space, and that is the natural light. Location of underground space decides the light condition and the problem that I need to solve is the shadow and light. The space underground needs to address its programming and requirements for light, wind and green space. Lighting is also considered as the hardest problem for underground architecture. For the underground environment, the only sunlight source is from above. If the light problem is solved, then the lack of underground green space can be solved. Creating an atrium and open space are basic design strategies for gaining natural light. On the other hand, there are also some techniques for bringing natural light into interior spaces, like sun dish collectors and solar collectors.

For the connection in the city, I would like to create the underground connection system with each underground infrastructure public space. Unlike sidewalks on the ground, people do not need to wait for traffic lights and walk on the street in hot summer and cold winter. As we know, the temperature in Manhattan is extreme weather, freezing in winter and hot in summer. Therefore, this architectural connection makes underground space a walking version of the subway tunnel, also solving the problem of many buildings and traffic for ground level.

High and Low Block 47th-street view

The main purpose for developing urban areas is to create better living conditions for surrounding residents. To build more infrastructure space and explore more space in the urban area is a crucial challenge for urban designers. We need to figure out what people need and what kind of space we can make for them. Because as an architecture designer, creating happiness space for people is our duty.

Fig.2

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Project Description

What is Infrastructure & Future Infrastructure Architecture?

My project is located in midtown Manhattan close to the United Nations and Grand Central Station. This site is an extended sidewalk facing Trump Tower and theJapanese Society. According to the current situation in Manhattan, subterranean infrastructure space is necessary for urban development, because most of the spaces above ground are already developed. This project will be a connection between the railway transportation and water way transportation, since it is the connection between Grand Central Station and a potential future East River Pier . An exit at 47th street for Grand Central Station, the extended sidewalk, and the underground gallery space of the United Nation are all along 47th street. This is the master plan proposal to create a subterranean city connection along the extended sidewalk.

Along that stretch of sidewalk. I am proposing an underground space which is to contain the original function and green space to construct extra space in the urban fabric.

Considering the original function of this site, it is a park, green market, coffee shop (Small restaurant) and city garden. I propose to keep its original use and develop the space underneath. The ground level is a farm market, cafe, and temporary tents for the farmer's market, so I propose a continuous pavilion space, so that the underground space can be the market and cafe and the roof space can become a walkable green roof. Underground space can be a public space with a basketball court, an exhibition space, an auditorium and the pedestrian connection.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

So what is the infrastructure? I started to think about this question since I was working on the Resilient City Project in Fourth year because that project is developing an area against sea level conditions by creating residential buildings and public infrastructure like (shelter, community center and so on). Infrastructure building can be considered as public space made by the government and constructed for public use.

However, this can be only buildings but also transportation stations or green park space in the urban area which can provide benefit for the public and this can be counted as an infrastructure.

Fig.3

"The most prevalent theme among the shortlisted entriesis the adoption of infrastructural corridors and structuresas the armature for parks.

As shown by The NBN, above, existing infrastructure is the latent structure for park systems. Resonating with landscape ecology theory, with its language of corridors and networks, entries such as Melbourne 2051, Parklanes and From Past to Last (Honourable Mention) draw on blue, green and grey infrastructures to drive park spaces through the city fabric. Some entries placed the infrastructure underground to free up space, as in FuturePark: A Living Network, which buried the rail network, and Non-Place to Place, which built the park space out over the Monash Freeway, realizing an opportunity that had been overlooked in the past.“THE FUTURE PARK INTERNATIONAL DESIGN IDEAS COMPETITION.” THE FUTURE PARK INTERNATIONAL DESIGN IDEAS COMPETITION, Feb. 2020, pp. 2–11.

The Future Park competition brief located the scenario thirty years in the future, and Forecasting for 2050 focuses on the heat-related health impacts of what is predicted to be a 1.8 degrees celsius temperature increase from preindustrial levels in the next three decades. The parks in this entry aim to work with wind and water to modify climate effects and imagine underground spaces as retreats for people, plants and animals."

(Jacky Bowring 2020).

And what is the future of architecture in the urban city? I mean the developing direction of architecture but not some fancy movie architecture. I think the answer is underground architecture and what we should do is using any available spaces in the city to make them as functional spaces for the public. According to the increasing population, space will run out some day, so we need to find out and explore some more possibilities of space to make architecture to serve the people in the city.

Underground Infrastructure, City, and Environment High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Project Proposal

“The United Nations in 2009 and the International Organization for Migration in 2015 both estimated that around 3 million people are moving to cities every week.

Approximately 54% of people worldwide now live in cities, up from 30% in 1950.

Sources estimate this will grow to 2/3 of world population in the next 15-30 years. More than half of urban dwellers live in the 1,022 cities with greater than 500,000 inhabitants.

There are currently 29 megacities with populations of over 10 million, up from 2 in 1950 and projected to grow to between 41 and 53 by 2030. Additionally, there are 468 cities with a population of over 1 million, up from 83 in 1950.”

And according to the rising population for the city, the building requirement for different types of buildings is also rising (commercial building, residential building, recreational building, infrastructural building and transportational building).

Although higher buildings can also satisfy the requirement, underground architecture provides more potential, because most of the underground space is not considered and making underground architecture can maximize the application of green park space and leave more free sky space for this city. The project proposal is to create an underground public space in the urban city center. The principle idea is creating

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public spaces by not interrupting the surrounding environment, but by utilizing existing free land (pocket park, abandoned underground station or extended sidewalk) and constructing the public space underneath.

The history of underground architecture starts from cave houses, using natural conditions to form the foundation of structure. Different kinds of architectural space can solve the different lighting conditions in the orientation or building shadow problem. The space underground needs to address its programming and requirements for light, wind and green space. There are several critical problems for underground architecture: rainwater collection, waterproofing and moisture proofing.

wait for traffic lights and are crowded with each other in different weather. As we know, the temperature in Manhattan is extreme weather, freezing in winter and hot in summer. Therefore, this architectural connection makes underground space a walking version of the subway tunnel, also solving the ground pressure problem.

Considering the future development of infrastructure architecture in underground cities, I am proposing to create the leisure space for urban dwellers.

Lighting is also considered as the hardest problem for underground architecture. For the underground environment, the only sunlight source is from above. If the light problem is solved, the lack of underground green space can be solved.

For the connection in the city, I would like to create the underground connection system with each underground infrastructure public space. Unlike sidewalks on the ground, people do not need to

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.4

Ground vs Underground

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Terhune Orchards

Migliorelli Farm

River Garden Farm

17th Street

Oak Grove Plantation

Bulich Mushrooms

Caradonna Farm

Cato Corner

cert.organic

D’atallico

Ardith May

Grazin Acres

Tremblay

Shushan Valley

Case Study | Manhattan Union Square Farm Market cert.organic

Case Study | Apple Store Design in Milan

Hudson Valley Organic

17th Street

Silva Orchids

Stokes

Berkshire Berries Hawthorne Valley cert.organic

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Roaming Acres

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Knoll Krest Farm

Keith’s Farm Moxie Ridge

Rooted Family Farm at Windfall

Mountain Sweet Berry

16th Street

16th Street trancept

Union Square Grassman

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LES Compost

Tonjes Farm Dairy Andrew’s Honey Walnut Hill

WildCraft

Fig.7

Kimchee Harvest

Violet Hill Farm Gorzynski

Fig.5

Info Station i EBT Station E

City Saucery Hickory Ledges Moonshine

Lucky Dog Farm

Deep Mountain Maple

cert.organic

Our Daily Bread

Locust Grove Orchards Mother & Child Statue

Furnace Furnace Creek Eckerton

Body & Soul Riverine Ranch

Lynnhaven Goat Farm

Blue Oyster Mushrooms

Chat Ren

Bread Alone Bakery cert.organic

Fig.6

Fig.8

15th Street

Considering the site program and existing condition, we found this similar program in Manhattan which is an existing temporary green market in Union Square. By analyzing and studying the existing condition of this area, I explored the spatial understanding between sellers and trucks and developed the space from a temporary roof to a more durable roof.

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WINE / BEER / SPIRITS

FRUIT / ORCHARD

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LIVESTOCK

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East Hollow Cider Beth Farm Kitchen Gail’s Farm

South Plaza

Luna Family Farm

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This will be a combined infrastructure space that has a green space and interior private space. The Apple Store in Milan, by Foster + Partners, contains a big sloped stair as the access underground space, while making the opening for each step rise, so that underground interior space can gain natural sunlight. By creating these openings, this project solves the lighting problem for underground space. During the design process, the designer combined several elements together to create an elegant spatial quality, an outdoor amphitheater, a spring, a waterfall, and the Apple Store. “To work within one of Italy’s historic piazzas is both a great responsibility and wonderful challenge.

We combined two fundamental elements of the Italian piazza — water and stone — adding a glass portal that creates a multi-sensory experience as visitors enter the store through a cascading fountain that seems to envelop them”(Sir Jonathan Ive, Chief Design Officer, Apple). In this sentence, we understand the design not only for the apple store but also for the surrounding environment.

Compared with the Apple Store project, this thesis is an urban project. A renewal project in the city should contain the idea for surroundings, keep the existing environment as it exists, and make the new project part of the space. This project perfectly connects the public infrastructure space with retail space.

James Durr

Catskill Merino

PLANTS / FLOWERS

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BAKER / GRAINS

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FISH

Ed EDUCATION STATION

HONEY

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COMPOST DROP-OFF

DAIRY / CHEESE

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TEXTILE RECYCLING

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sightGr EGGS / POULTRY

Fig.9

14th Street

MUSHROOMS

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GREEN MARKET GRAINS GREEN MARKET GUEST

Case Study | High Line Project

Case Study | High Line Project

The High Line in Manhattan is a perfect precedent study about city renewal which uses the abandoned railway to create a network connecting the city. Starting from the Whitney Museum to Hudson Yards, tourists can walk on the high line to experience the city view and people in surrounding buildings can view the green park.

Fig.10

Space in the city should be continuous and convenient to people within that space.

Considering the High Line project, this thesis design should be a mutual benefit for people in the space and the people in surrounding buildings.

In this degree project, the main purpose is to construct a transportation system to connect the railway to the waterway, and in the middle of the connection--- an extended sidewalk to construct the entry space or public infrastructure for the tourists and residents.

Fig.11

Fig.13

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight Fig.12

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Case Study | Low Line Project

For the low line project which is an urban renewal concept for developing abandoned trolley lines to an underground park for the public. According to the location of the site, near the Williamsburg Bridge and subway stations around, so the interaction between the subway passengers and park visitors is interesting. This area is the least green space in New York, so this is the reason why they created this underground park.

Case Study | Low Line Project

For getting sunlight from the ground, the design team used a new sunlight technology named “remote technology” to collect natural sunlight and transmit it underground by special tube. Therefore underground plants can absorb sunlight to grow.

By analyzing the underground space, this type of space in underground space is called “chamber” which is an

underground space surrounded by soil only without sunlight and ventilation in this process. However, in this project, designers use this advantage of this site which is an abandoned trolley station and the tunnels for the line can create ventilation for space.

For sunlight, they are using remote sunlight technology. Therefore, the main problem for the chamber space can be solved.

Fig.15

Fig.14 14

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.16

Fig.17

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Case Study | Grace Farm

Case Study | Grace Farm

One programmatic precedent is Grace Farms, designed by SANNA. This is a countryside farm project which is built on a sloped surface.

The designers use this feature to create the ramp and circulation, and the sloped roof system. The program of this project is a community center which contains classrooms, a basketball court, and cafe space. This thesis project will function as a city transportation connection center with a community center space at this sidewalk area.

Fig.19

Therefore, I want to create an underground community center and tunnel connection between Grand Central Station to the east river pier.

According to the city situation of traffic and spare space, using underground space might be the best way to develop a big city like Manhattan better.

Fig.20

Fig.18 16

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.21

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Methodology | Underground Space Types

Methodology | Preserve Ground Floor Green Space

Single Space

Single Space

Double Space

Double Space

A. Chamber

A. Chamber

A+D

A+D

B. Atrium

B. Atrium

B+C

B+C

C. Elevational

C. Elevational

B+D

B+D

C+D

C+D

Temperature control,Temperature no sun light control, and no ventalition. no sun lightNo andview no ventalition. No view Temperature control,Temperature partial sun light control, and partial ventalition. sun light Partial anddouble ventalition. side view Partial double side view

Temperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Sky and viewventilation. Sky view

There is an empty space in city.

Using this space as a public park.

Public park space on the roof and infrastructure underneath (disadvantage: accessibility).

Infrastructure space underground and green space on the ground.(advantage: accessibility. disadvantage: sunlight).

Temperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Sky and viewventilation. and one side Skyview view and one side view

Temperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Oneand sideventilation. view One side view Temperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Sky and viewventilation. and doubleSky side view view and double side view

D. Penetrational D. Penetrational

Temperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Double and side ventilation. view Double side viewTemperature control,Temperature sun light andcontrol, ventilation. sun light Double and side ventilation. view Double side view

Fig.22 Analytical Drawings for Underground space (Left 4 drawings with names from Internet and Right 4 drawings are combining space from Left) 18

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.23

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Methodology | Underground Space Cases

Dia.1

Dia.4

Dia.7

Le Grand Louvre I.M.Pei

Dia.1

Several atrium spaces connect with eachother to form underground circulation.

Diamond like atrium cover is the lighting strategy.

Dia.2

Dia.5

Low Line

Dia.2

One big continuous chamber space with ventilation creating big sunlight collect technology to gain sunlight.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Derinkuyu underground city

Dia.6

One big atrium space with a main building inside. For atrium underground space, there is a extended roof.

Dia.3 Several atrium spaces connect with eachother to form underground circulation

Apple Store in Milan

Yale Library

Dia.4

Several step penetrational space forming stair and sunlight opening.

Dia.6

Dia.5

Several underground chamber space.

Ventilation and sunlight are from big open well and small hole. Entrance is hide in above ground building.

YaoDong Project

Dia.3

Kailasa Temple

Dia.7

One atrium space and one chamer space.

Entrance is in the above ground main building.

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Manhattan Underground Tunnels

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Manhattan Underground Tunnels

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-4-

Track 61, Grand Central Terminal

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Atlantic Avenue tunnel

Worth Street station

"Just like the rest of New York City, our 115-year-old subway system consists of many layers, each of which provides a glimpse into a sliver of the city’s history.

However, even abandoned underground spaces don’t stay neglected for long.

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-5-

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East 18th Street subway station

Old City Hall subway station

While some of NYC’s old tunnels and stations seem to have been neglected for good, many are reused— like the abandoned tunnel below Central Park that became part of the Second Avenue subway—and repurposed, as graffiti canvases, art galleries, party spaces, or even a VIP entrance to one of New York’s most luxurious hotels.

Nevins Street, lower level platform

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-3-

-9-

-6J/M/Z platform at Canal St

Myrtle Avenue Tunnel

South 4th Street subway station

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These are 10 of the city’s most intriguing abandoned tunnels and stations."

(10 secret subway tunnels in New York City).

3

5

Fig.24

-10West 91st Street station 22

Vespoli, Lauren. “10 Secret Subway Tunnels in New York City.” Curbed NY, 16 Oct. 2019, ny.curbed.com/maps/nyc-subway-secret-tunnels.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight Fig.25

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Site Context

Site Environment Information

For the selection of site, I chose this one of the biggest cities in the world, New York City, Manhattan as my site selection. Manhattan has hundreds of years of history and we can trace this history to Dutch people mapping this area and colonizing this area. The word, “Manhattan”, comes from gather and this is the start of a new land new city. At first, Manhattan downtown was not that big, because the landfill project makes that area bigger. Nowadays, Manhattan is one of the biggest morden cities in the world which is also the economical center with lots of skyscrapers and buildings. However, the city conceals the vitality of this island. Manhattan is just like a chessboard and everything is in order. For transportation, traffic lights are everywhere and after one minute walk, you will walk to the end of a block. Although the chessboard-like mapping strategy makes the city look efficient, the traffic experience for drivers and pedestrians makes them exhausted.

Fig.26

Fig.27 “NY Daily News - We Are Currently Unavailable in Your Region.” When Manhattan Was Wild: How Did Your ’hood Look 400 Years Ago?, 2

Oct. 2009, www.tribpub.com/gdpr/nydailynews.com.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

“Average Weather in New York City, New York, United States, Year Round - Weather

Spark.” Weather Spark, 2015, weatherspark.com/y/23912Average-Weather-in New-York-City-New-York-United-States-Year-Round.

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Site Geology

This area is the best environment for this project and this area was a small park that functions as an extended sidewalk connecting two big avenues. This area, near the East River, does not belong to the flood hazard area. Manhattan is also a rainy city with great precipitation, so I must consider the underground condition and how to make a waterproof system, and consider how to collect the rainwater and recycle it? In the summer, underground infrastructure will make people feel cool and comfortable and during the winter, people will feel warm and comfortable. However, the snow in New York City is always a big issue. How can the snow be prevented from covering the entire underground space?

Based on the shape and buildings around this space, the wind might be a big issue

Program for above-ground architecture, but for underground architecture, this might be a great opportunity to form a shelter. Creating underground connections might be perfect space in winter and summer and the future connection for the city because currently, most underground connection tunnels in this city are too old or dark.

I also make the basic map of existing abandoned underground spaces which are empty yet. For this urban renewal project, using existing underground space as the connection to connect space in Manhattan.

In the underground walking tunnel, people can avoid the different weather conditions outside and there is no more clothing issue for the public walking this space. And also, the traffic will not be a problem for

pedestrians or drivers because there won't be too many people walking outside. In the meanwhile, this infrastructure makes aboveground space lower pressure.

The bedrock underlying much of Manhattan is a mica schist known as Manhattan schist of the Manhattan Prong physiographic region. It is a strong, competent metamorphic rock that was created when Pangaea formed. It is well suited for the foundations of tall buildings. In Central Park, outcrops of Manhattan schist occur and Rat Rock is one rather large example. Geologically, a predominant feature of the substrata of Manhattan is that the underlying bedrock base of the island rises considerably closer to the surface near Midtown Manhattan, dips down lower between 29th Street and Canal Street, then rises toward the surface again in Lower Manhattan. It has been widely believed that the depth to bedrock was the primary underlying reason for the clustering of

Developing a route for people in this city who have a place to take a break with green landscapes and warm and comfortable sunlight, or creating a city underground line to link each stop in the city(abandoned subway stations, pocket park, extended sidewalk or access point to some essential building). This is the primary goal.

skyscrapers in the Midtown and Financial District areas, and their absence over the intervening territory between these two areas. However, research has shown that economic factors played a bigger part in the locations of these skyscrapers.

According to the city mapping and construction, all of the skyscrapers and tall buildings are located in downtown and midtown, but in the East Village and Greenwich Village area, most buildings are not tall because of the special geology condition for Manhattan. For midtown and downtown Manhattan, there is a Manhattan schist for the bedrock of the city which can support the skyscrapers as the base.

However, the schist for the East Village is in the deeper ground, so there are only low buildings in that area.

Fig.28

Fig.29 26

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Site Visit Photographs

Sunlight & Shadow Analysis

Fig.30 In Fed 4th, I had a site visit for the Grand Central Station and Unite Nation area. From this tour visit, I gained lots of information about this area (road, weather, underground condition, and relationship between buildings).

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.31

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Site Plan

Unroll Site Section - Sky View & Shadow Analysis

This is the master site plan including the surrounding environmental information and the master urban plan for this project. I want to make a huge connection between the Grand Central Station and the East River Pier station, to connect the railway and waterway. Because of the underground condition at 47th street and Grand Central Station, I decided to build the main underground walk tunnel at 47th street and build a community center at the extended sidewalk on 47th street.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Fig.32 This diagram shows the relationship between the site and light-shadow conditions. The reason why I developed this diagram is that I want to decide the open space for underground space. I need to make this diagram to get the information that how building and sunlight effects the design

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Site Section

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Part 0

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Grand Central Station. This is the existing condition that I want to build the connection starting from here.

Tunnel connection between Grand Central & Extended Sidewalk.

Extended Sidewalk development.

Creating rest areas for tourists or passengers.

UN Cultural Gallery Extension Project.

Create more space for the UN to show the cultural exhibits by using the UN Lawn underground space.

East River Pier Station.According to the development plan for the east river FDR greenway. I decide to add one more pier station to connect the transportations,

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Design Process

STEP 1 - Original site condition with surrounding buildings.

STEP 2 - Remove south side buildings to see the full site boundary of the extended sidewalk.

STEP 3 - The current condition of this area.

The current function of this space is a park, a temporary farm market, a cafe, a bike station, and a parking block.

STEP 4 - This is the current walking flow and traffic flow. Then I add a built pavilion shape cover for making some space for the green market.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 5 - Considering surrounding environment effects on the form and shape of the concept. The south side gap space and north side japanese society area form the “Building pressure” of the space.

STEP 7

STEP 8

STEP 9

STEP 10

STEP 6 - Make the shift of the pavilion.

STEP 7 - Smooth the pavilion.

STEP 8 - Push the roof to the ground at some parts to make the ramp.

STEP 9 - Make the stair steps of the ramp space.

STEP 4

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STEP 5

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

STEP 6

STEP 10 - Final result. Include all original functions, a park, a temporary farm market, a cafe, a bike station, and a parking block.

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Final Design Isometric View

Cut Axon with Sectional Analytical Diagram

I cut the model in several components with sectional hatch and underground texture. Those sections show the variations of spaces underground and different light conditions underground. Those textures show the Manhattan geology. According to the special geology of Manhattan with different layers of the ground including the special material Manhattan schist which can also be considered as part of my design as the floor slab.

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Floor Plan | Roof Plan

Floor Plan | Ground Floor vPlan

Roof Garden Green Market

Cafe Green Market

Basketball Court

Atrium Garden

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Floor Plan | -1 Underground Floor Plan

Floor Plan | -2 Underground Floor Plan

Underground Tunnel

Underground Tunnel

Exhibition Space Auditorium

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Atrium Garden

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Basketball Court

Auditorium

Locker Room

Basketball Court

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Long Section 1

Auditorium

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Exhibition Space

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Long Section 2

Basketball Court

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Underground Tunnel

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Short Section 1

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Short Section 2

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Short Section 3

Renders

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

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Render - Green Market

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Render - Cafe

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Render - Exhibition Space

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Render - Basketball Court

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Render - Summer Perspective

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High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Render - Winter Perspective

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Bibliography

Bibliography

Case Study Apple Store in Milan

Site Context Information Page 10

Walsh, N. (2018, July 26). Foster + Partners' Milan Apple store opens

to the public with Dramatic Waterfall Entrance. Retrieved

May 10, 2021, from https://www.archdaily.com/898994/ foster-plus-partners-milan-apple-store-opens-to-the-public with-dramatic-waterfall-entrance

Union Square Green Market

Page 11

Union square GREENMARKET MONDAY. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10,

2021, from https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/ manhattan-union-square-m

High Line Porject Resource

Page 12-13

Visitor info. (2021, May 01). Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://ww w.thehighline.org/visit/

Low Line Porject Resource

Page 14-15

Project. (n.d.). Retrieved May 04, 2021, from http://thelowline.org/a -bout/project/

Grace Farm Porject Resource

Page 16-17

Grace farms FOUNDATION. (2021, April 15). Retrieved May 04, 2021,

from https://gracefarms.org/

Page 22-23

Vespoli, Lauren. “10 Secret Subway Tunnels in New York City.”

Curbed NY, 16 Oct. 2019, ny.curbed.com/maps/nyc subway-secret-tunnels.

56

“NY Daily News - We Are Currently Unavailable in Your Region.”

When Manhattan Was Wild: How Did Your ’hood Look 400

Years Ago?, 2 Oct. 2009, www.tribpub.com/gdpr/ nydailynews.com.

Site Environment Information

Page 25

Methodology Sectional Underground Space Types

Page 18-19

Warren, A. (1970, January 01). Underground building design.

Retrieved May 10, 2021, from http://alexwarrenarchitecture 3.blogspot.com/2011/03/underground-building-design.html

“Average Weather in New York City, New York, United States, Year

Round - Weather Spark.” Weather Spark, 2015, weather spark.com/y/23912Average-Weather-in-New-York-City-Ne w-York-United-States-Year-Round.

Figures

Manhattan Underground Geology

Figure 1 - Manhattan Elevation

Page 1

Figure 2 - Perspective Render

Page 5

Page 26-27

J. hood Wright Park. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2021, from https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/j-hood-wright park highlights/12369#:~:text=Hood%20Wright%20Park%20 is%20a,feet%20below%20in%20Greenwich%20Village.

Park Ave Elevation Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from http://www.ajsny.com/parkaveelevation

Figure 3 - Infrastructure Collage

About Thesis Page 2

Urban Condition

Page 2

Future Infrastructure

Page 7

Gelan, E.T. (2012). Glare pollution in urban areas. Journal of

Ethiopian Engineers & Architects.

Figure 4 - Ground vs Underground

Page 8-9

Images from Internet and Composed by Author

“THE FUTURE PARK INTERNATIONAL DESIGN IDEAS COMPETITION.”

THE FUTURE PARK INTERNATIONAL DESIGN IDEAS

COMPETITION, Feb. 2020, pp. 2–11.

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

Page 6-7

Images from Internet and Composed by Author

Light Pollution

Figure 10 -13 - High line

Page 12-13

Figure 14 -17 - Low Line

Page 14-15

Figure 18 - 21 - Grace Farm

Page 16-17

Visitor info. (2021, May 01). Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://ww w.thehighline.org/visit/

Project. (n.d.). Retrieved May 04, 2021, from http://thelowline.org/a -bout/project/

Grace farms FOUNDATION. (2021, April 15). Retrieved May 04, 2021,

from https://gracefarms.org/

Rendered by Author

“New York City - The Skyscraper Center.” New York City - The

Skyscraper Center, 2020, www.skyscrapercenter.com/city/ new-york-city.

Site Context Site Underground Tunnel Condition

Page 24

Figure 5 - 6 - Apple Store in Milan

Page 10

Figure 22 - Underground Space Types

Page 18

Figure 23 - Green Spaces in City

Page 19

Warren, A. (1970, January 01). Underground building design.

Retrieved May 10, 2021, from http://alexwarrenarchitecture 3.blogspot.com/2011/03/underground-building-design.html Developed by Author

Developed by Author

Figure 24 - 25 - Manhattan UndergroundPage 22-23

Vespoli, Lauren. “10 Secret Subway Tunnels in New York City.”

Curbed NY, 16 Oct. 2019, ny.curbed.com/maps/nyc subway-secret-tunnels.

Walsh, N. (2018, July 26). Foster + Partners' Milan Apple store opens

to the public with Dramatic Waterfall Entrance. Retrieved

May 10, 2021, from https://www.archdaily.com/898994/ foster-plus-partners-milan-apple-store-opens-to-the-public with-dramatic-waterfall-entrance

Figure 26 - 27 - Manhattan Environment

Page 26-27

“Average Weather in New York City, New York, United States, Year

Round - Weather Spark.” Weather Spark, 2015, weather spark.com/y/23912Average-Weather-in-New-York-City-Ne w-York-United-States-Year-Round.

Figure 7 - 9 - Union Square Market

Figure 28 - 29 - Manhattan Geology

Page 28-29

Page 11

Union square GREENMARKET MONDAY. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10,

2021, from https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/ manhattan-union-square-m

J. hood Wright Park. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2021, from https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/j-hood-wright park highlights/12369#:~:text=Hood%20Wright%20Park%20 is%20a,feet%20below%20in%20Greenwich%20Village.

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Fall Semester Essay

Public Infrastructure in City

For designing the future infrastructure, population is increasing, sea level is rising but land is never increasing unless we fill the ocean, so how to create space in the full developed city is a serious problem.

In Manhattan, except tall buildings, there are only some small pocket parks among the skyscrapers. How can we create some extra space in the city and make public infrastructure space. Currently, buildings are moving upward, higher and higher, bigger and bigger. However, most buildings in Manhattan are not developing to downward, underground space are mainly for transportation and wire connections, so why do not we develop those available spaces to infrastructure space? We do not need to remove the existing green space, because we develop this space as an entrance for underground space. So we gain extra spaces for infrastructure, even residential space in the future.

What is underground space and how does this space become human using space? Starting from the property of

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Fall Semester Essay underground space, dark, wet, airless are works representing space. However, those words are not good for a comfortable architecture, so why select underground space for people? Thinking about the existing historical underground space like the Derinkuyu underground city in Turkey, this city is developed for public avoiding and eluding something because of its privacy and concealment and this is the primary reason for underground architecture. For this historical ruin, ants nest like shape forms the connection between the space and create this temporary community space for the public. And the disadvantages are obvious in this diagram of this city, closed with no light and complicated space, but history told us about the possibility of this type of architecture for infrastructure. Then what is public infrastructure? This is public facilities which are paid by the government and this can be divided into several different types like transportation infrastructure, environmental infrastructure and so on.

According to increased population, more and more infrastructures are needed for public use. Therefore, my main proposal for my thesis is using existing pocket park space as a site to develop. This is like an urban renewal project to remake city infrastructure space by using existing space conditions.

For developing a combined

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

infrastructure space which has a green space and interior private space. This makes me consider an urban apple store design project in Milan by Foster + Partners, this design makes a big slope stair as the way to access underground space in the meanwhile, making opening for each step rise, so underground interior space can gain the natural sunlight to the underground space which is the space for apple store.

By creating opening space, this project solves the lighting problem for underground space. I think during the thinking process, the designer combines the several elements together to create the elegant spatial quality, an outdoor amphitheater, a spring, a waterfall, and the apple store. “To work within one of Italy’s historic piazzas is both a great responsibility and wonderful challenge. We combined two fundamental elements of the Italian piazza — water and stone — adding a glass portal that creates a multi-sensory experience as visitors enter the store through a cascading fountain that seems to envelop them”(Sir Jonathan Ive, Chief Design Officer, Apple). In this sentence, I can read their design for not only the apple store, but also the surrounding environment. Compared with an apple store groject, I would rather say this is an urban project, so I think the renewal project in the city should contain the idea for surroundings and keeping the existing environment as

normal and make the new project part into the space.

And talking about the sunlight, I think there is another project related to gaining natural sunlight to interior underground space which is the Le Grand Louvre by I. M. Pei. The delicate diamond covers the opening ground on the square which provides sunlight and extremely big open atrium space and this makes the spatial quality bigger. Based on the program and its position, he creates more extra opening spaces for different spaces to get more sunlight. At first, people did not think this project would succeed because at that time, this project is abnormal and impossible.

However, after this project finished, people called this space the diamond of Louvre.

By not changing too much of the existing space of the square, he designed a special structure to collect sunlight and expanded space. What’s more, this project is also necessary to be an underground project because this area is a museum and some of the antique requires private space and storage space. Therefore, underground space is necessary for some special projects.

For storage space, library projects always need book storage space, so it is possible to create a library as an underground infrastructure program. For

instance, the library for Yale University.

However, most people will say its translucency marble stone facade structure is so beautiful, but I really like it underground courtyard space with reading space around.

The courtyard design is using minimalism style with several simple sculptures and water collect channels around to drain the rainwater. Because rainwater is a big issue for underground architecture. This kind of underground space style is called “atrium”, because it creates atrium space and atrium light. And the entrance for this project is from that marble book shelves building part. Therefore, I think making an extra architecture can be the space of entrance.

All in all, I want to use the edge of the city to create additional underground infrastructure space for public use. By solving the different problems for this underground space, such as rain water, sunlight, waterproof, moisture proof and so on, collecting existing buildings ideas and they develop and combine the design elements together to create the future infrastructure, the underground infrastructure.

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Spring Semester Essay

High and Low: Hidden in Plain Sight

The population is increasing, sea level is rising, but the land is never increasing unless we fill the ocean. How can we create space in a fully developed city?

In Manhattan, except for tall buildings, there are only some small pocket parks among the skyscrapers. How can we create extra space in the city and make public infrastructure space? Currently, buildings are moving upward. However, most buildings in Manhattan are not developing downward, and underground spaces are mainly for transportation and urban infrastructure. Why do not we develop those available spaces into inhabitable infrastructure space? In this thesis I explore the possibility of underground space in the city.

The site is located at 47th Street, from Park Ave to East River. This is a long, linear urban site project which has a similar concept as the Highline: Connecting the city. This site connects Grand central to UN east river transportation and also is an ideal extended sidewalk space in the city which can form entries and exits to the different transportation centers. I use this space in between as the tunnel connection for different spaces, and the extended sidewalk 60

Spring Semester Essay area is the public space for tourists and surrounding residents. Considering the existing function of that green space, a temporary farmers’ market, I decided to create some above-ground retail space to sell fresh vegetables to surrounding residents, and created park fitness space for residents. Since I want to connect the East River and add one more boat pier and station to connect the railway transportation to boat transportation, I would need to cross the underground space of the UN Lawn. Therefore, I propose to utilize the underground space of the lawn, to build an underground gallery that can exhibit space cultural shows for tourists to visit.

This will be a combined infrastructure space that has a green space and interior private space. The Apple Store in Milan, by Foster + Partners, contains a big sloped stair as the access underground space, while making the opening for each step rise, so that underground interior space can gain natural sunlight. By creating these openings, this project solves the lighting problem for underground space. During the design process, the designer combined several elements together to create an elegant spatial quality, an outdoor amphitheater, a spring, a waterfall, and the Apple Store.

“To work within one of Italy’s historic piazzas is both a great responsibility and wonderful challenge. We combined two fundamental elements of the Italian piazza — water and stone — adding a glass portal that creates a multi-sensory experience as visitors enter the store through a cascading fountain that

High and Low Block 47th | the underground city connection is hidden in plain sight

seems to envelop them”(Sir Jonathan Ive, Chief Design Officer, Apple). In this sentence, we understand the design not only for the apple store but also for the surrounding environment. Compared with the Apple Store project, this thesis is an urban project.

A renewal project in the city should contain the idea for surroundings, keep the existing environment as it exists, and make the new project part of the space. This project perfectly connects the public infrastructure space with retail space.

For the form of underground space, I was inspired by the BIG project in Switzerland for HQ. This project has two parts. One part is a spiral with a slide opening for sunlight and the other part is spiraling the ground surface upward and downward to create an opening for sunlight. This project let me understand how to create the skin with a green roof for sustainability. Therefore I did several sketch models with similar concepts to this project.

One programmatic precedent is Grace Farms, designed by SANNA. This is a countryside farm project which is built on a sloped surface. The designers use this feature to create the ramp and circulation, and the sloped roof system. The program of this project is a community center which contains classrooms, a basketball court, and cafe space. This thesis project will function as a city transportation connection center with a community center space at this sidewalk area.

The High Line in Manhattan is a perfect precedent study about city renewal which

uses the abandoned railway to create a network connecting the city. Starting from the Whitney Museum to Hudson Yards, tourists can walk on the high line to experience the city view and people in surrounding buildings can view the green park.

Space in the city should be continuous and convenient to people within that space.

Considering the High Line project, this thesis design should be a mutual benefit for people in the space and the people in surrounding buildings.

In this degree project, the main purpose is to construct a transportation system to connect the railway to the waterway, and in the middle of the connection--- an extended sidewalk to construct the entry space or public infrastructure for the tourists and residents.

To further investigate the underground space, I create drawings for different underground conditions. For the analytical drawings, the first drawing shows the different types of underground space based on the research of underground space design by Alex Warren, and I combine the single space to a double space and eliminate the disadvantages for some of those single spaces. With these studies, I developed various conditions. The combination of different types of spaces provides ventilation, view, and sunlight, which are the main issues for underground architecture. Furthermore, after looking at the city structure and space, I made diagrams to analyze what we can do with

free space to make it into an infrastructure space. Therefore, there were several solutions. First, making it as a park on the ground, similar to pocket parks. Second, building infrastructure architecture and creating green park space on the roof. Third, creating infrastructure space underground and expanding it to any free underground space, keeping the on-grade green space at the same time.

Openings and apertures are the main consideration for this project. I experimented with linear openings and curved openings.

The curved opening has more advantages than the linear opening. They have similar open areas, but the curved one has more horizontal light which creates better light conditions for underground space.

In the plan, the challenge was to combine the atrium opening, surrounding building environment and sunlight. Therefore, the “building pressure” idea came about.

According to the surrounding environment of the project, there are two opening spaces for the building near the site, and based on those openings, I pushed the edge from straight to a curved wave shape. This shape perfectly fits the ground floor program for a cafe, green market and basketball court, so the linear space can easily form rectangular space.

The program for this site is an infrastructure space to connect different public transportation from Grand Central Station to the pier on the East River. My selected site is the core which contains public service spaces like restaurant, cafe, public

reading area and exhibition space, and those programs are the underground space programs. The ground level will contain its original function as a public park with green space and sitting areas. The ground level can also function as a green market space for public retailers to sell their fresh produce.

For designing the farmers’ market, I took the existing market as a sample for development. The Union Square market is a perfect example for the green market. This is a temporary market with fixed hours. The Green market is composed of temporary market tents and produce transportation trucks. The relationship and position between the market tent and truck should be juxtaposed because distance between them decides the freight speed. Current existing space for the farmers’ market in Union Square is seemingly chaotic. I aim to unify the design for all retail spaces.

Therefore, I combined all roof space as a green roof for the public to enjoy. Although the roof space is additional, access is an issue. Hence, I designed a roof system which combines continuous wood panels with curved moments for creating a grand staircase. with the small apertures between the steps.

Public infrastructure space should serve the public and the designer should try their best to integrate the building into the city, to make it a part of the city, and to create a small, comfortable space for the people in this neighborhood.

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E|N|D

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