Additional activities within and around downtown Columbus:
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Weekend Walk in Downtown...
The following photographs represent a brief documentation of the downtown area (a total of 150 photos were taken) - specifically the areas bounded by the "core" area that I will be further studing (bounded by broad/main and the river/4th street). In addition to the photos, I documented my experience in journal form, just some random thoughts about how I felt (i.e. chatting it up with the crackheads, being harassed by the cops and so on...). Anyways, it was quite an awkward experience...
Image 1: Image from Broad St. Looking Northwest (not in "core")
Image 1: Image from Broad St. Looking Northwest (not in "core")
Image 2: Corporate Park...
Image 3: Image looking North on 3rd
Image 4: 4th St looking North
Image 5: Building on 4th
Image 6: On Broad St.
Image 7: Intersection of Broad (not in "core")
Image 8: Image from a parking lot looking Southwest
Image 9: Image from High St. looking North
Image 10: Image from Main St. looking South (building not in "core")
Image 11: Broad St. looking East
Image 12: (image from a parking lot looking Southwest)
Image 13: Image taken from a parking lot looking Northwest
Image 14: Image taken from Bicentennial Park looking North
Image 15: Image of Columbus Skyline (taken from COSI)
And last but not least, the pride of Columbus: The Santa Maria
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Progress Post
Initial studies in site analysis:
First image depicts the "core" area that would be defined further in the masterplanning stages and how the area maybe redeveloped. This area is bound by Broad (on the north) and Main Street (on the South) as well as the Scioto River (west) and 4th Street (east).
Initial thoughts on program elements and adjacencies (based on current city layout):
Initial Studies on grid manipulation:
(more of a sketch study on possible ways of moving forward)
First image depicts the "core" area that would be defined further in the masterplanning stages and how the area maybe redeveloped. This area is bound by Broad (on the north) and Main Street (on the South) as well as the Scioto River (west) and 4th Street (east).
Initial thoughts on program elements and adjacencies (based on current city layout):
Initial Studies on grid manipulation:
(more of a sketch study on possible ways of moving forward)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thesis Statement Revised
Thesis Statement:
By creating a central core within the downtown Columbus area, it would facilitate a revitalization effort by acting as the catalyst for growth and development.
Thesis Abstract:
By first addressing the urban planning of Columbus and developing strategies on how to improve the quality of the downtown environment, a revitalization effort can be undertaken. The revitalization would focus on creating a central core for the downtown area, something that is lacking within the current confines of Columbus. By developing a central core, it would give the downtown area an identifiable prescene with competing cities and towns. Additionally, by first focusing on a small portion of the downtown area, it would offer the oppurtunity to perfect the formula to grow with and allow the development patterns to grow radially from one central area, allowing a more natural progression rather then the randomized developments that have been appearing throughout the city.
Thesis Issues:
The primary focus of the thesis is to first develop a masterplan and strategy that would offer an example of how to build and grow from one central core. The core would serve as the urban catalyst, a place where the growth originates. The issue that currently plagues Columbus and many other cities nationwide, is that a masterplan that may or may not exist is often overlooked by city officials, who "bend" rules for developers seeking to build. By bending the rules, this leads to randomized pockets of developments in the urban area. Some developments fail to take into consideration the existing fabric of the area, creating divisions within the city.
Initially, one "core" area that has great potential is the riverfront in Columbus. It acts as a divider between the downtown area and Franklinton. Currently the riverfront is occupied by numerous buildings and a street. The riverfront has great appeal to many, the local community holds art festivals and various other entertainment events along the riverfront, which draws thousands to the downtown area. Developing and focusing the riverfront as the "core" could serve as the catalyst that Columbus needs to help in the revitalization effort.
The second portion of the thesis will address the results of the masterplan and create an architectural solution to it. The solution to the problem would need to be occupied within the "core" area that is being investigated, therefore the initial site of City Center may or may not fall within the area (depends on site analysis). The programming will also be greatly dependent on the site analysis and what is determined as a "need."
By creating a central core within the downtown Columbus area, it would facilitate a revitalization effort by acting as the catalyst for growth and development.
Thesis Abstract:
By first addressing the urban planning of Columbus and developing strategies on how to improve the quality of the downtown environment, a revitalization effort can be undertaken. The revitalization would focus on creating a central core for the downtown area, something that is lacking within the current confines of Columbus. By developing a central core, it would give the downtown area an identifiable prescene with competing cities and towns. Additionally, by first focusing on a small portion of the downtown area, it would offer the oppurtunity to perfect the formula to grow with and allow the development patterns to grow radially from one central area, allowing a more natural progression rather then the randomized developments that have been appearing throughout the city.
Thesis Issues:
The primary focus of the thesis is to first develop a masterplan and strategy that would offer an example of how to build and grow from one central core. The core would serve as the urban catalyst, a place where the growth originates. The issue that currently plagues Columbus and many other cities nationwide, is that a masterplan that may or may not exist is often overlooked by city officials, who "bend" rules for developers seeking to build. By bending the rules, this leads to randomized pockets of developments in the urban area. Some developments fail to take into consideration the existing fabric of the area, creating divisions within the city.
Initially, one "core" area that has great potential is the riverfront in Columbus. It acts as a divider between the downtown area and Franklinton. Currently the riverfront is occupied by numerous buildings and a street. The riverfront has great appeal to many, the local community holds art festivals and various other entertainment events along the riverfront, which draws thousands to the downtown area. Developing and focusing the riverfront as the "core" could serve as the catalyst that Columbus needs to help in the revitalization effort.
The second portion of the thesis will address the results of the masterplan and create an architectural solution to it. The solution to the problem would need to be occupied within the "core" area that is being investigated, therefore the initial site of City Center may or may not fall within the area (depends on site analysis). The programming will also be greatly dependent on the site analysis and what is determined as a "need."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Case Precedent 3: Horton Plaza
While I am really not a big fan of the architectural expression (looks like a carnival exploded), the boulevard is quite successful from the articles and books I have read/looked at.
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