The Megablock
The typical podium tower typology is a type that embodies the strategy of complete separation ofthe residential area, and street with retail. There is a clear separation between the residents and the visitors through architectural and programmatic organization. It is an attempt oftop down control where density and growth are organized while chaos and self organization is minimized.
Without the opportunity for residents and visitors to interact constantly, how can neighborhood characters be developed and even celebrated?
Instead of separation, this new proposed type is to explore the possibility of completely integrate the three primary programmatic elements of residents, retail and activities. It is an effort to explore a new spatial strategy where street level activities are replicated vertically where flexible circulation pattern encourages exploration by occupants and visitors.
Both residential and retail units are designed to be compact and mobile that allows for flexible configuration according to demand. Retail units are basically mobile vendors that are allowed to selforganize into different thematic clusters.
The building façade is designed as operable which openness indicates the activity levels within. A typical scenario will be the façade will be completely opened during business hours when residents (primarily consist of the small business owners) are not home, essentially turning the building into a multi-level open market. The façade will then be closed after dark, turning the building into a giant billboard that attracts attention while residents inside will be able to maintain their privacy while taking up extra floor space for other activities.
Within this new, shoppers, retailers and residents are allowed to constantly re-negotiate their boundaries and self organized within the chaos while different neighborhood blocks will develop its own characteristics.
(From competitor's text)
11 scanned / 9 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Site Map
- Axonometric Drawing
- Schema
- Diagram
- Plan
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
- Photomontage
