Location:
Brooklyn, Baltimore City, Maryland
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Project Area:
17.5 Acres
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Student:
Vincent Gookin
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Embedded Files
Rivergate District
For this project we are working alongside Action Baybrook (ABB), a community-based organization in the Brooklyn, Maryland area, on a site redevelopment plan for a brownfield located south of Baltimore. Our goals as designers are to assess the problems and challenges with the site, propose innovative and attractive designs and development that benefit the local people, all while remediating the neglected and contaminated earth that currently fills the land.
I chose to name this mixed-use development project the 'Rivergate District' because of the industrial history of the area. The Patapsco River was historically a gateway for trade and movement between Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay, and I wanted this development to have name that is significant to its surrounding context.
Table of Contents
Phase 1 - Site Analysis
Phase 1 - Site Analysis
Location + Proximity
This is a 17.5 acre site along I-895 near the Patapsco River. It sits withing a neighborhood called Brooklyn within Baltimore City. There are 4 landmarks pointed out on the map to the right that I feel are the greatest assets surrounding the site.
Site Visit + Impressions
After our walkthrough during the site visit, my first impression was one of shock and discomfort. There was trash everywhere, numerous homeless encampments, and plenty of road noise adding to the harshness. I had low expectations before hand because we were aware of these kinds of things, but it still doesn’t prepare you for the sad reality. When on-site and physically experiencing the conditions, it shows the vulnerability and challenges of being in a situation like this.
Phase 2 - Masterplanning
Phase 2 - Masterplanning
Design Concept
The concept for my design reflects the industrial history of the Brooklyn / Curtis Bay area. The angular forms implemented in my design are driven by this concept, using sharp edges to create spaces and direct movement throughout my site. These edges and angles allow the design to fit seamlessly within the existing urban fabric, making the site feel like a natural extension of the surrounding street grid.
Site Masterplan
This masterplan contains a commercial district with large public right-of-ways, strong connections between existing and proposed land uses, and construction with little disturbance in critical areas to bring a new life to the brownfield. The large number and size of open / green spaces provides the site with scenery and natural elements to incorporate the existing environment into the urban design concept. This preservation helps balance the landscape and development on site.
Section-Elevations
Section AA'
Section BB'
Thematic Layers
These thematic layers show the usage of space in this site design, the different kinds of circulation throughout the site, and the building uses + the number of floors per building.
F.A.R. Calculations
C-4, Commercial
Floor Area - 63,000 sf
Lot Area - 348,500 sf
FAR = 0.18
R-6, Residential
Floor Area - 114,000 sf
Lot Area - 412,500 sf
FAR = 0.28
Phase 3 - Site Design
Phase 3 - Site Design
Site Plan
The area I chose to design for the site design phase is the commercial district of my masterplan. This district contains most of the retail and commercial development proposed in the masterplan. The buildings in this area consist of coffee shops, food chains, a grocery store, and other businesses.
Section-Elevations
Section AA'
Section BB'
Interface Detail Plan
The central piece of this development is an urban plaza with a canopy ceiling plane, a raised stage area, and plenty of seating options. In order to accomplish my goal of creating a pedestrian friendly environment throughout this site, I incorporated a minimum of 10’ sidewalks, a raised median at a major intersection point, and street parking to serve as a buffer between the pedestrian and vehicular zones.
Interface Detail Section CC'
Streetscape Section
This streetscape section is of the public transit station next to the residential development. It shows the right-of-ways for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The separation between the different zones is shown as well.
3D Perspective Render
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