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Interview Type: Design Review
Presenters: Michael Richards, Jose Muniz, Vincent Pintozzi, Can Ozcan
Audience: DTC Section 11
Purpose: Convey the team’s progress and solicit peer feedback on how to proceed
Project: Green Bay Trail Beautification Project
Date: May 11, 2021
Location: Zoom
On May 11, 2021, the team conducted a design review presentation during class in front of the professors and peer DTC groups. The objective of this presentation was to convey the team’s progress to the DTC sections regarding the current state of the design solution and solicit feedback from the team’s peers about potential improvements to the design or oversights not considered in the design.
5 Minute Presentation
The team’s presentation consisted of showing the audience a video of the trail, restating the design challenge and mission, specifying the project constraints and goals, presenting the mockup designs, going through the FMEA associated with the mockups, and outlining the next steps of the project. The first of the mockups the team presented, “Colorfying the underpasses,” involved adding murals to the underpasses along the trail to stop graffiti and add community presence to the GBT. Analogous success with murals to deter graffiti in Jose’s Chicago neighborhood was cited as rationale for this mockup. The second mockup involved making use of plants grown on the underpass to work in conjunction with the murals to further beautify the otherwise stark concrete structures. It was explained that the user testing performed led to deciding on Jacob’s Ladder, Cross Vine, and Oakleaf Hydrangea. The third mockup involved implementing QR codes around the trail which would link to the app, “Picture This,” to allow users of the trail to scan the native plants around them to learn more about them. This mockup adds a level of interactivity to the GBT, which the project partners explained was something they would like to see. The fourth and final mockup included a proposal to resolve the drainage problems of the trail by implementing tiered retaining walls, repaving the trail, regrading the slope and trail, inspecting the drains annually, and implementing catch-basins in the storm inlets. This was proposed per the advice of the civil engineering expert consulted about the problem and would combat the problems stemming from stagnant water, an aggressive slope leading down to the trail, deteriorating wood retaining walls, and a disintegrating path.
Q&A
Once our presentation was finished, we opened the floor for any questions or comments about our design. This allowed us to clarify any questions from the class and also gain a few very helpful suggestions. The questions/comments from the audience, as well as the team’s response are included below:
Q: What does the budget cover?
A: They haven’t given us a specific budget, and told us to model the project of glencoe which had $100,000. The civil engineer told us that it may not be possible to include everything. This budget will include initial costs and a 10 year maintenance plan.
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about the meeting with the civil engineer?
A: The civil engineer informed us that the project partners may not have realized how much they were asking for with this project. His solution was to create a “tier list” of ideas: ranging from a “Band-Aid” solution to “Cadillac” solution
Q: Have you considered using carbon absorbing paint for the murals?
A: We have not, but it is a very good idea as it could be used to keep the area low pollution. We would be concerned about its strength and rigidity, as paint previously applied to cover up the graffiti has been chipping.
Q: Have you considered commissioning art students from northwestern?
A: That is a great idea and could get more communities excited for the trail. Perhaps we could create a survey for the art school to gauge interest for commissioned work for practice/class projects, etc.?
Q: Have you considered adding murals to the retaining walls?
A: That is a great idea because it would add more color and beauty to the trail, but may be prohibitively expensive.
Q: Is there anyone to maintain the plants on the trail?
A: Yes. Responsibility for maintaining the trail is shared by the Winnetka Park District (WPD) and the Friends of the GBT (FGBT).
Q: Maybe you could include informational signs about plants? Trails often have spotty wifi/internet connection and not all runners/joggers/bikers carry their phones on them.
A: That is a great idea, and you raise a concern we had not considered yet. We will look into this.
Next Steps
Follow up on the suggestions presented during the design review:
Look into carbon absorbing paint,
Consider reaching out to the Northwestern arts department,
Consider adding murals to the retaining walls,
Research how many users are without their phones/internet connection on the trail.
Meet with the Alderman and Muralist to better understand the mural implementation.
Finalize the design and submit the design freeze documentation before the week 8 team meeting.
Questionnaire Feedback
All respondents liked the overall design idea and found it to effectively address the design challenge goals, rating between 7-10/10. A majority of respondents felt as though the mural design would contribute a positive change to the trail, responding that they think that murals will discourage graffiti and other vandalism, beautify the empty underpasses, improve the community identity in Winnetka, and improve the popularity of the GBT, rating each attribute at least 6/10. 70% of respondents also felt as though the mural and underpass plants components could be used in conjunction with each other, and that they would compliment each other in order to work to beautify the underpasses. The opinions on the QR code idea and its potential effectiveness were mixed, which highlights a need to look into this component before proceeding. 30% of respondents would prefer the QR code to link to a website, while 50% would prefer a link to an app. 80% of respondents liked the tiered retaining walls, but felt it would be difficult to implement. All respondents felt as though the tiered retaining walls would benefit from some combination of plant beds and access ramps.
The questionnaire was conducted through the below google form:
The questionnaire was conducted through the below google form:
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