Last month, seven teams of students at the College of Architecture & Urban Studies at Virginia Tech proposed designs for the Wilshire Blvd overpass at the 110 Freeway and Wilshire Boulevard as part of a design workshop. Right now, there is pedestrian access on the overpass, but many of these designs--all fictitious, of course--would "create more pedestrian access and awareness from the street level," Halil Dolan, principal at Paravant, a Los Angeles-based design firm, who produced the workshops, tells Curbed. "The idea was to look at how we move through the city." Years ago, local firm architecture firm Morphosis proposed erecting a pedestrian bridge over the 101 freeway--a plan that never happened. But last winter there was chatter on Angelenic that this stretch was being considered for renovations. How about a little wacky?
Through the use of simple forms, rings and rectilinear volumes, an organic structure is brought to the urban site. By changing the diameter and the spacing between the structural rings the bridge becomes wrapped by an undulating tube, enhancing the organic nature of the form and bringing a dynamic quality to the building. This provides a large variety of experiences for both motorists and pedestrians engaging the building. Translucent rectilinear volumes suspended from the rings fulfill the programmatic requirements. Following the undulations of the structure, the skin sits between the rings and provides access to the rectilinear volumes. At night these volumes glow adding an addition layer to the dynamic character of the building.
The design embraces both the topside and the bottom side of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, through the use of pedestrian paths. The building fulfilling the programmatic functions hangs below the bridge and is connected to it by a pathway that allows the pedestrian to explore the previously unused space. Ascending above the Wilshire Blvd.
bridge is another pedestrian path providing an elevated experience in which to view the city. The mast like structures of the elevated path serve as a billboard for the motorist and pedestrians alike both on and below the Wilshire Blvd. bridge.
A series of cubic volumes are latched onto each side of the bridge, engaging both motorists and pedestrians on the bridge, and motorist below the bridge. Each cube has a unique relationship to the bridge established by its planer orientation and the depth to which it latches onto the bridge. The interstitial spaces created between the cubes become as significant as the spaces within the cubes, framing views and creating places for the pedestrians to pause. Translucent facades are located on the sides of the cubes facing the direction of travel along the 110 Freeway, again framing views and providing an awareness of the city for the people inside the buildings. Both the opaque and translucent facades offer the opportunity for the buildings to act as billboards, further reinforcing awareness.
Oscillating from one edge of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, under and to the other edge, the structural system repeats itself along the direction of the bridge, creating ribbon-line bands running parallel to the 110 Freeway below. The bands contain means of entry, circulation, and program on the interior while serving as billboard on the outside for the motorists along the freeway. In the evening the building glows from between the structure further expressing the space on and below Wilshire Blvd. bridge.
The following boards address the notion of “crossing into a green future” as first an awareness of the lifestyle lived in a city such as
Los Angeles, and then the need for a change to that lifestyle. The thoughts presented here about sustainability and environmental awareness are much more than the recent marketing trend which utilizes a “feel good” strategy of encouraging consumers to purchase their way towards saving the planet.
The designs put forward for the Information and Exhibition Center for a Sustainable and Environmentally Conscious Future of Los Angeles, engage motorists, pedestrians, users of the Center, viewers from neighboring buildings, and the city as a whole.
Pedestrians and users are encouraged to slow down, live in the moment, to pause and experience the spaces around them. The designs offer opportunities to experience the environment in unique ways. They entice users to walk a path or climb gentle slope rewarding them with new experiences. A uniquely dynamic relationship exists between the bridge and passing motorists.
Whether stuck in traffic or cruising down the interstate, motorists are engaged as voyeurs of the proposed buildings, more or less intimately depending on their speed and frame of mind. Even beyond the scale of the pedestrian or motorist, the designs attempt to reach further into the city in a way which becomes the physical manifestation of the new
lifestyle of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, and then the need for a change to that lifestyle. The thoughts presented here about sustainability and environmental awareness are much more than the recent marketing trend which utilizes a “feel good” strategy of encouraging consumers to purchase their way towards saving the planet.
The designs put forward for the Information and Exhibition Center for a Sustainable and Environmentally Conscious Future of Los Angeles, engage motorists, pedestrians, users of the Center, viewers from neighboring buildings, and the city as a whole.
Pedestrians and users are encouraged to slow down, live in the moment, to pause and experience the spaces around them. The designs offer opportunities to experience the environment in unique ways. They entice users to walk a path or climb gentle slope rewarding them with new experiences. A uniquely dynamic relationship exists between the bridge and passing motorists.
Whether stuck in traffic or cruising down the interstate, motorists are engaged as voyeurs of the proposed buildings, more or less intimately depending on their speed and frame of mind. Even beyond the scale of the pedestrian or motorist, the designs attempt to reach further into the city in a way which becomes the physical manifestation of the new
lifestyle of Los Angeles.
Through the use of simple forms, rings and rectilinear volumes, an organic structure is brought to the urban site. By changing the diameter and the spacing between the structural rings the bridge becomes wrapped by an undulating tube, enhancing the organic nature of the form and bringing a dynamic quality to the building. This provides a large variety of experiences for both motorists and pedestrians engaging the building. Translucent rectilinear volumes suspended from the rings fulfill the programmatic requirements. Following the undulations of the structure, the skin sits between the rings and provides access to the rectilinear volumes. At night these volumes glow adding an addition layer to the dynamic character of the building.
The design embraces both the topside and the bottom side of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, through the use of pedestrian paths. The building fulfilling the programmatic functions hangs below the bridge and is connected to it by a pathway that allows the pedestrian to explore the previously unused space. Ascending above the Wilshire Blvd.
bridge is another pedestrian path providing an elevated experience in which to view the city. The mast like structures of the elevated path serve as a billboard for the motorist and pedestrians alike both on and below the Wilshire Blvd. bridge.
A series of cubic volumes are latched onto each side of the bridge, engaging both motorists and pedestrians on the bridge, and motorist below the bridge. Each cube has a unique relationship to the bridge established by its planer orientation and the depth to which it latches onto the bridge. The interstitial spaces created between the cubes become as significant as the spaces within the cubes, framing views and creating places for the pedestrians to pause. Translucent facades are located on the sides of the cubes facing the direction of travel along the 110 Freeway, again framing views and providing an awareness of the city for the people inside the buildings. Both the opaque and translucent facades offer the opportunity for the buildings to act as billboards, further reinforcing awareness.
Oscillating from one edge of Wilshire Blvd. bridge, under and to the other edge, the structural system repeats itself along the direction of the bridge, creating ribbon-line bands running parallel to the 110 Freeway below. The bands contain means of entry, circulation, and program on the interior while serving as billboard on the outside for the motorists along the freeway. In the evening the building glows from between the structure further expressing the space on and below Wilshire Blvd. bridge.
Choosing to maintain the identity of the bridge, the design embraces the traditional bridge icon by utilizing an arch structure. The programmatic space exists between the two arches, and the bridge is unified with the building through the use of a translucent skin. During the day, the bridge showcases the art gallery and displays its roof garden, creating a unique haven within a dense city. At night, the translucent building facade glows alive while the cylinder of light conveys traffic conditions to motorists.
The 110 Freeway defines a major boundary of the city of Los Angeles as well as a link between the traveler and the inhabitant. By creating a wall to interact with drivers beneath the overpass and the traffic on Wilshire Blvd., there is a dialogue between the two axes of movement. The undulating wall caters to the pace of the freeway. It gives the drivers of the 110 Freeway a boundary between north and south movement, while dynamically engaging their daily commutes. Stitch spaces create opportunities within the wall for installations and further engagements. The building emerges from the freeway straddling the overpass, folding within itself to embrace the gallery floating above the bridge.
The bridge is celebrated as an element which serves to connect downtown Los Angeles with the neighboring districts. By wrapping the bridge with a series of translucent buildings a rhythmic relationship of static and dynamic layers is created. The buildings as a larger complex are uniquely experienced from each direction of vehicular movement. The layers are further articulated through the structure of each building, fulfilling the programmatic requirements, but also allowing the buildings to become places of personal retreat and awareness.
From: http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/05/last_month_a_de.php#wilshire-bridge-6
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