NATURAL COMPRESSION
JAMES HEFLIN IV
HILL DISTRICT SITE ANALYSIS
Site analysis plays a huge role in our design efforts throughout the Hill District as a whole. It gives us valuable information by finding problems, high demand areas, and resources in the area. This information is how we make our designs as effective as possible.
Population and Neighborhoods
The population data of these residential neighborhoods helps in two different ways. It shows us the more densely populated areas that may need more development to improve quality of life. It also shows us the less populated areas that may need more development to draw in new residents.
Circulation
This circulation map shows existing public transportation routes throughout the neighborhoods. It also shows the existing roadways leading in and out of the area as well as the streets throughout the neighborhoods. We can safely assume that each street is accompanied by pedestrian sidewalks.
Landuse
The land use data helps us to see what the land in the site boundary is currently used for. We can see what land can easily be changed into a new land use. We also would like to keep land uses as similar as possible so as not to implement too much change and receive resistance from the local residents
Public Spaces
The Public Spaces data allows us to identify existing parks and greenspaces so that we can use them in our design. It can pin point existing parks that may need only a little improvement as well as undeveloped greenspaces with great potential. These also create multiple destinations when developing connections.
Composite Analysis
This final graphic contains a self explanatory compilation of the data previously presented. It also notes some key points such as the lack of grocery stores and the high crime rate. Other potential opportunities and views are also located and presented.
Hill District Masterplanning
The masterplanning phase of the design process makes actual design decisions on a large scale. It can identify desired building and land uses and arrange them throughout the site thoughtfully. It also can place future circulation improvements.
Figure Ground
Small town centers will be created throughout the district with mixed use building holding storefronts on lower levels and either dwelling units or offices above. Residential buildings will be added ranging from single family homes to apartment complexes with an emphasis on increasing density while retaining current layout.
*Sections follow legend and reference points of Figure Ground graphic*
Vehicle Circulation and Parking
Vehicles play a vital role in the area as the terrain is constantly at a grade, it serves people from out of the area for events, and the neighborhoods are separated from the rest of the city. With hierarchy this shows the different sizes of roadways in and out, permeable parking surfaces, and multi level proposed garages to lessen on street parking.
Public Transit and Bicycle Circulation
Moving to increase bicycle use a bike lane will be added to streets cutting up the middle of the district replacing the area currently used for street parking. A small addition to the existing bus route is also added to serve predicted increased residents. However to best improve public transport we must decrease wait times.
Greenspaces
As noted by several professional landscape architects this site has a great deal of natural spaces left undeveloped. There are ample parks that would need very little work for great improvement, large lots to be turned into parklets, small lots for outdoor areas serving adjacent businesses, and wooded areas to develop into trail systems.
Masterplan
Focusing on keeping as many existing building footprints in place as possible while also developing with an infill method to replace far gone buildings or empty lots this master plan keeps the charm of the olden days of the Hill District while making necessary moves into the future.
Lower Hill Site Design
The open, graded space that makes up the Lower Hill plays many roles. It is a connection between the Hill District and Pittsburgh's Central Business District. It also currently serves as the open parking for the PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Team as well as a large concert venue
Site Plan
The site plan focuses on a natural connection of the green spaces surrounding the site and condensing the buildings to reduce sprawl. The plan provides for the needs of the residents and employees of the new buildings as well as visitors to the Arena.
Section A-A'
This section shows the prominent slope of the site facing the proposed entrance of the Event center showing parking, the fountain, and a mixed use building.
Birds Eye View
This view shows how the new buildings fit into the Pittsburgh skyline and layout from the residential Hill
Building Uses
This graphic and chart explain the buildings heights and the use of each floor. The accompanied chart lays out the number of units and square footage for each use of buildings and land
Planting Plan
The forested area that makes up the wooded walking trail will have three primary species along with any species that would naturally occur. The plating choices throughout the rest of the site were chosen considering both their aesthetic potential and tolerance to issues from this urban environment
Ground Covering
This graphic lays out the multiple ground coverings within the site. These different materials were chosen for their color as well as their durability. The existing streets and sidewalks are left undisturbed to keep costs and disturbance down.
Use this unscaled plan graphic as reference for the following plans, sections, and perspectives.
Open Space Plan
This plan shows a block in the southwest corner of the site. The planting beds and turf are set into the hardscape and edged. The red brick and tan cement pavers are on the same grade.
Streetscape Plan
To this specifically referenced street a center island is installed as a raised planting bed full of Kousa Dogwoods with two breaks for both vehicle access to the underground garage and a pedestrian crosswalks for the main path.
Perspective 1
Perspective 2