From Angelenic:
Quote:
Freeways — the single-most misguided concept in urban planning history — have caused irreparable damage to our city’s pedestrian appeal, and now, just look at the ideas we’re having to come up with to get people interested in walking again!
This morning, Curbed LA presented some utopian design ideas from a team of students at Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture & Urban Studies to revamp the Wilshire Boulevard overpass between the Financial District and City West.
Of course, the concepts illustrated (more after the jump) are all pies in the sky, but the dialog they create for urban connectedness are valuable for all the neighborhoods of Downtown disjointed by the rivers of concrete.
Currently, those living west of the 110 Freeway walking back and forth into the heart of Downtown usually opt for the less arduous 7th Street bridge one block to the south. Those familiar with the Wilshire route (with its narrow sidewalks, low guard rails and steep incline), may liken the trek to rockclimbing — overly exerting and dangerous if you’re not paying attention.
Late last year, Holland Partners (developers of GLO) announced plans to partake in an overhaul of the Wilshire overpass in order to create a “gateway” into the burgeoning residential district they’re helping to establish. With interest now coming as far away as the East Coast, it would seem the City has issued a Request for Proposal to move ahead with the project.
The finished product will most likely be nothing as captivating as the ideas we see here, but a little landscaping and street lights would make all the difference.
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1.
Through the use of simple forms, rings and rectilinear volumes, an organic structure is brought to the urban site. By changing the diameter and the spacing between the structural rings the bridge becomes wrapped by an undulating tube, enhancing the organic nature of the form and bringing a dynamic quality to the building. This provides a large variety of experiences for both motorists and pedestrians engaging the building. Translucent rectilinear volumes suspended from the rings fulfill the programmatic requirements. Following the undulations of the structure, the skin sits between the rings and provides access to the rectilinear volumes. At night these volumes glow adding an addition layer to the dynamic character of the building.
2.
The design embraces both the topside and the bottom side of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, through the use of pedestrian paths. The building fulfilling the programmatic functions hangs below the bridge and is connected to it by a pathway that allows the pedestrian to explore the previously unused space. Ascending above the Wilshire Blvd.
bridge is another pedestrian path providing an elevated experience in which to view the city. The mast like structures of the elevated path serve as a billboard for the motorist and pedestrians alike both on and below
the Wilshire Blvd. bridge.
3.
A series of cubic volumes are latched onto each side of the bridge, engaging both motorists and pedestrians on the bridge, and motorist below the bridge. Each cube has a unique relationship to the bridge established by its planer orientation and the depth to which it latches onto the bridge. The interstitial spaces created between the cubes become as significant as the spaces within the cubes, framing views and creating places for the pedestrians to pause. Translucent facades are located on the sides of the cubes facing the direction of travel along the 110 Freeway, again framing views and providing an awareness of the city for the people inside the buildings. Both the
opaque and translucent facades offer the opportunity for the buildings to
act as billboards, further reinforcing awareness.
4.
Oscillating from one edge of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, under and to the other
edge, the structural system repeats itself along the direction of the bridge, creating ribbon-line bands running parallel to the 110 Freeway below. The bands contain means of entry, circulation, and program on the interior while serving as billboard on the outside for the motorists along the freeway. In the evening the building glows from between the structure further expressing the space on and below Wilshire Blvd.
bridge.
5.
Choosing to maintain the identity of the bridge, the design embraces the
traditional bridge icon by utilizing an arch structure. The programmatic space exists between the two arches, and the bridge is unified with the building through the use of a translucent skin. During the day, the bridge showcases the art gallery and displays its roof garden, creating a unique haven within a dense city. At night, the translucent
building facade glows alive while the cylinder of light conveys traffic conditions to motorists.
6.
The 110 Freeway defines a major boundary of the city of Los Angeles as well as a link between the traveler and the inhabitant. By creating a wall to interact with drivers beneath the overpass and the traffic on Wilshire Blvd., there is a dialogue between the two axes of movement. The undulating wall caters to the pace of the freeway. It gives the drivers of the 110 Freeway a boundary between north and south movement, while dynamically engaging their daily commutes. Stitch spaces create opportunities within the wall for installations and further engagements. The building emerges from the freeway straddling the overpass, folding within itself to embrace the gallery floating above the bridge.
7.
The bridge is celebrated as an element which serves to connect downtown Los Angeles with the neighboring districts. By wrapping the bridge with a series of translucent buildings a rhythmic relationship of static and dynamic layers is created. The buildings as a larger complex are uniquely experienced from each direction of vehicular movement. The layers are further articulated through the structure of each building, fulfilling the programmatic requirements, but also allowing the buildings to become places of personal retreat and awareness.
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