Tilly Hatcher: "The Product of Thousands of Minds"

Tilly Hatcher working in partnership with Nick Hornig

Master of Urban Planning candidates, 2012

GSD2201 Site Representation and Research

December 2010

A city "is the product of thousands of minds and thousands of individual decisions.” -Robert Fishman

A Framework for Incremental Growth

As we researched the South Boston Waterfront in anticipation of creating an area plan for one of its sub-districts, we were struck by the large scale of projects both built and planned. The Convention Center, Seaport Square and Fan Pier are each in the neighborhood of 20 acres. In response to these mega projects, we were wanted to create a framework that would foster a mixed use neighborhood that could develop in smaller bits, involving more people in its creation over time.

We have addressed this goal by creating a grid, the proportions of which could accommodate a wide range of densities and uses. We also proposed a canal to provide a new edge for growth--a common open space between the new and the existing South Boston neighborhoods. The canal would be a locus for active recreation, creating a connection between both neighborhoods and drawing visitors as well.

Google Earth: Placing Ideas in Space

Google Earth provided an exceptional platform for exploring and presenting spatial ideas. Overlaying map images on the site made them come alive, and precedent photos could be organized in space, hovering above the area to which they related. The non-linear organizational structure gives space for ideas that might otherwise not have a place in the flow.

Screen shot of my kmz file in Google Earth. Diagram overlay by Nick Hornig.

You may download the file at the bottom of this page. Choose "save" instead of "open" for best results.

SketchUp Massing Study: Building Flexibility into Each Block of the Grid

For clearer image, click on it.

This massing model was built to explore possible configurations for a high density, mixed use block. The floor area ratio, excluding parking, is 3, and with parking, it's 6. The four blocks function as one big block with the smaller roads bisecting a central courtyard. Given the density and the current prevalence of cars, the center courtyard contains a parking deck, but the top of it is an elevated park, which could have tennis courts, a pool, etc. Over time, if cars become less necessary, the parking deck could be re-inhabited by housing modules, and the two levels of underground parking could eventually be converted into a movie theater, bowling alley, or server space.

As currently shown, town homes and residential point towers sit atop office buildings and overlook the courtyard park. The ground floor of each block could accommodate retail floor plates up to 40,000. Zoning regulation would set standards for durability that would allow the buildings to be used in many ways over their long lives.

The proportions of these blocks are also well-suited for lower density, finer grained uses as well, but for this location, fronting the proposed canal, higher density seems more fitting. My four block massing model can be explored through in 3d Warehouse/Google Earth by clicking the link below:

four block massing model

You can also take a guided tour of the model in this video:

So now you have a taste of what we were thinking about in our plan for the South Boston Waterfront. Please feel free to take our ideas, incorporate your own, and continue the cycle of goodness.

References

Fishman, Robert. 1982. Urban Utopias. P. 29 in Scott Campbell and Susan S. Fainstein, eds. Readings in Planning Theory. Rev. edit. Oxford: Blackwell.