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An Exploration of Social Interaction T

Existence Con

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Stacey Westenberger 2005-2006 Senior Thesis Project Californ ia Polytechnic State Univeristy

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4

Can architecture make us aware

of our surroundings and the

beauty in the ordinary mo-

ments in our lives? It begins

with how we dene ordinary.

Ordinary is dened by Merriam-

Websters Dictionary as:

ordinary

adj: of common occurrence,

quality, or ability.1

Ordinary does not mean the

object in which it describes is of

low quality or lacking in ability;

it refers, however, to something

that is usual or customary.

These familiar instances do not

lack quality because we have

experienced them before, how-

ever, this quality becomes harder

to recognize when it is all around

us. The ordinary moments

are necessary in order to be a

basis for things extraordinary.

Something extraordinary stands

out from the rest and demands

ones attention. However, this

does not negate the inherit

signicance and beauty in the

ordinary. Koren uses the term

Wabi Sabi to express the beauty

in ordinary things. He rst

describes beauty; Beauty can

spontaneously occur at any

moment given the proper cir-

cumstances, context, or point of

view. Beauty is thus an altered

state of consciousness, and

extraordinary moment of po-

etry and grace (Koren 51). He

further explains Wabi Sabi with

the ideas of ordinary versus ex-

traordina ry. Koren demonstra tes

Wabi Sabi as coexisting, rather

than imposing.Unpretentious.

Things wabi-sabi are unstudied

and inevitable looking. They do

not blare out I am important

or demand to be the center of

attention. They are understated

and unassuming, yet not without

presence or quiet authority.Things wabi-sabi easily co-exist

with the rest of their environ-

ment (Koren 68). After realizing

there is potential for beauty in

habitual things, the question

remains, how can we recognize

environmental inuence on our

everyday life?

In an urban environment,

architecture sets a scene for

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6

these moments of consciousness

to occur. The presence of a

structure or lack of can impose

psychological dispositions on

the user. These psychologicaleffects of the environment can

affect moods, evoke emotions,

and promote actions. Concur-

rently, these predispositions

created from the environment

have the ability to enhance

or hinder the users overall

well-being.A person is so far

formed by his surroundings that

his state of harmony depends

entirely on his harmony with

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8

then pouring through a

chink in the roof, illumi-

nating a column of drifting

dust, and to realize that

that column of light was

indeed a power, inuenc-

ing the air currents by its

warmth, and indeed in-

uencing the whole mood

of the room; although I

had not consciously seen

it before, it had already

been structuring my

experience.

(Abrams 20)

Sensual experiences cause a

person to become even more

conscious of their surroundings

and take in every aspect of the

world around them. As one

sense is engaged, the other

senses become more acute in

scanning the environment. This

conscientious approach to a

persons daily life helps them

to become more attentive to

the positive effects everyday

activities have in ones overall

well being.

Architecture should be unimpos-

ing, but inuential on our daily

lives. Subliminal messages are

sent through its relationship

to site, surroundings, light,

material, space, and most

importantly its users. Not only

does the user receive these

messages, but they also become

a part of the greater dialogue.

Engaging the senses is thelure to awareness.

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10

The experience of architectureshould not be limited to acertain age group, social class,or economic level. As diversitygrows among the populationsof our global world, a common

ground is needed for whichall people can experience andunderstand. Architectureprovides a place to bring people

The encounter with other per-ceivers continually assures methat there is more to any thing,or to the world, than I myself can

perceive at any moment.(Abrams 39)

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16

The Soulard Farmers Market isthe last survivor of the numer-ous markets once located in St.Louis, and the oldest marketwest of the Mississippi. The mar-ket began in 1838 on two blocks

of land donated by Julia Soulardfor a marketplace. The marketgrew and perspired to consist oftwo market halls throughout the20th century. Today, the mar-ket is the site of many culturalevents such as Oktoberfest andMardi Gras, due to the diversecommunity in which it stands.However, on a dail y basis, themarket economy is declining andnow attracts only few customersas a one-time experience. 4

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Often referred to as the soulof Seattle, the Pike Place Mar-ket has operated for almost 100years on acres of land. Inter-nationally recognized as Ameri-cas premier farmers market, it

is home to nearly 200 year-roundcommercial businesses; 10craftspeople and 120 farmerswho rent table space by the day;240 street performers and musi-cians; and 300 apartment units.The market attracts 10 millionvisitors a year, making it one ofWashingtons most frequentlyvisited destinations. 5

The Pike Place Market has be-come the precedent for manymarkets across the country.Although its size is immense, theatmosphere of interaction our-

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The reason that always pops to the top (of surveys asking whypeople use markets) is the experience; seeing other people, op-portunities for impromptu conversations, the unexpected sensorydelights.n

(Listed are the qualities and description based on relationships to

St. Louis as a site.)

The ten qualities that power successful markets are:

1. Right vendor2. Right location

a. Conuence-places where people naturally come together3. Right mix4. Right mission

a. Community health- healthy food at low pricesb. Make people happy

5. Right public spacesa. Sense of entry- the market as oasis

6. Right connectionsa. Reect community- a symbol of community identityb. Bike trails/greenways

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Geographically dened bythe Mississippi River, in 1764,Pierre Laclede formally namedSt. Louis in honor of the patronsaint of France. Originallyestablished as a trading outpostnear the conuence of theMissouri and Mississippi rivers,Laclede showed remarkableforesight by saying, By itslocality and central position,St. Louis was to become oneof the nest of cities(McNulty5). In the beginning, St. Louis

possessed a natural sand levee,sheltering limestone bluffs, anda convenient location less thantwenty miles downriver fromthe conuence with the MissouriRiver. Growing to become thesecond largest inland port andthe western edge of civilization,St. Louis established the reputa-tion as Gateway to the West,because of its natural location asa point of departure and returnon journeys westward. 8

30

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32

Population change in the 1990s:-47,163 (-11.9%)

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36

Population (year 2000): 348,18Est. population in July 2004: 343,27 (-1.4% change)

Males: 163,567 (47.0%)

Females: 184,622 (53.0%)

Races in St. Louis:Black (51.2%)White Non-Hispanic (42.%)Hispanic (2.0%)Two or more races (1.%)Vietnamese (1.0%)American Indian (0.8%)Other race (0.8%)

Daytime population change due to commuting: +122,234(+35.1%)Workers who live and work in this city: 82,480 (58.6%)Houses: 176,354 (147,076 occupied: 68,17 owner occupied,

The diversity among city resi-dents becomes the motivatorfor a place of social interaction.Contrary to segregation, acommon place for interactionallows for dissemination of thediverse makeup within the city.The history of misunderstandingamong social classes and races,leading to the giant urbansprawl and white ight furthersupports the need for a com-mon place where all people feelwelcome.

The number of visitors to the

city each year is of majoreconomic wealth to the city.Increasing the number ofattractions and amenities willfurther enhance the tourismmarket and sustain its suc-cess. Visitors are another usergroup who will benet from acommon place of interaction.Often times, visitors also like toobserve their travel destinationin its raw atmosphere. A placefor visitors and residents allowsfor them to interact and learnfrom each other.

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The key development princi-ples and programs set forth forthe district include: renovationand reuse of existing buildings;support of existing arts districtuses; inll of new buildings;location of support parking

behind buildings; enhancedstreetscaping; the creationof new urban greens; activerecreational areas, and a publicsquare.

Downtown Now!Development Plan

40

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42

The plan calls for the reinte-gration of the Arch Groundsinto the downtown through alandscaped lid over I-70 andenhanced activities in theopen spaces of both the ArchGrounds and the Mall.

Downtown Now!Development Plan

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44

The key developmentprinciples and programsset forth for the districtinclude: rehabilitation ofhistoric buildings for loft,ofce, and retail uses; a newurban entertainment center;a new residential neighbor-

hood with apartments andtownhouses; new commer-cial and ofce spaces; andresidential support uses suchas daycare. Also includedin the plan are urban greensthat will serve the residentialneighborhood, biking and

jogging paths along theriverfront and enhanced

pedestrian connections tothe Arch Grounds and Down-town core.

Downtown Now!Development Plan

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46

The key development prin-ciples and programs setforth for the district include:reuse of the Old Post Ofceas an educational facility, aa new public square and therejuvenation of the surround-

ing blocks. Downtown Now!Development Plan

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Promenade use of Eads bridge, in

addition to satisfying pedestrian andbicycle transportation needs, willcreate a regional downtown destina-

tion that unites the local communi-ties while helping to revitalize the

decaying downtown area.Owen D. Dutt

48

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Average Temperature

Temperature is a major de-terminant for the design ofa public market in St. Louis.Typical of the Midwest, St. Louisexperiences four seasons withtemperature extremes.

52

Precipitation

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p

Snowfall

Thunderstorms are typicalduring the spring and summermonths, alleviating the humidatmosphere. Contrastingly,winter months are plagued withextremely cold temperaturesand light snowfall. Mostly, thecolder temperatures lead to icestorms rather than snow.

54

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The Eads Bridge was thebuilt in 1874 as the rst struc-ture to cross the MississippiRiver, the largest river in North

America. Built to allow trainsto cross the river, it reafrmedSt. Louis as a major trading

capital. The Eads Bridge wasa marvel of engineering dur-ing its erection and even today.Not only did James Eads designthe worlds rst steel trusses,his construction method also

proved innovative; building thespans out from central pierssimultaneously in both direc-tions, thus foregoing construc-tion scaffolding which wouldinterfere with necessary boattrafc.13 However, the last traincrossed the Eads Bridge in 1974and since 1993 the tracks have

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68

Abutment_

Arch_

Arch barrel_

Embankment_

Fill_

Pier_

Revetment_

500

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74

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This multiplicity includes diversity in

the way the bridge is used, be it as ameans of passage, as a destination, a

place to people-watch, sit, rest, walk,

gather with friends, view surroundingarchitecture and learn the history of

Bilbao.

84

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86

Thus, this bridge is not a mere pas-sage connecting two points but a partof the city where people can enjoy

the potentialities of the site.

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88

One belt is the ramp which connectsthe university on one river side and

extends to the river park on the otherriver side. The other belt is the stairs

which connect the two sidewalksalong the river.

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2

Inside of...Attached to...

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4

A structure can be attached to the bridge in one section withsmaller appendages reaching out from the main core. Focus is onvertical circulation.

Longitudinal sections explore therelationship between the bridgedeck and the riverfront. Thebridge deck is even with the citylevel, while sloping into the oodplain and riverfront walk.

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6

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102

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104

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106

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108

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112

Bridge As Public Park Bridge As Amusement Attraction

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Silhouette

Heavy/Light

Solid/Voids

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118

What are the key points within the siteand how are they connected?

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124

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128

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Floor 1

Floor 0

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136

View from St. Louis and the Archgrounds towards the bridge

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Relationship of spaces:indoor and outdoor, bridge deck,market, pathway to archgrounds,and riverfront.

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160

what is the relationship between the market and the arch?

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What areas are accessible by occupants and whatexperience does it provide?

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164

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166

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168

What is the back/front?

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172

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178

South Elevation

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a pedestrian bridge in Bilbao. 2005 Prof. Spiro N. Pollalils; Har-

vard University Graduate School of Design. 21 Nov 2005 www.gsd.harvard.edu/people/faculty/ pollalis/courses/bilbao_stu-dio_publication.pdf

Abram, David. The Spell of the Sensuous. New York, USA: Vin-tage Books, 16.

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tage Books, 16.

Alexander, Christopher. The Timeless Way of Building. New York:Oxford University Press, 17.

Barreneche, Raul A. New Retail. London: Phaidon, 2005.

Bridging the Drive. Jan 2005. Chicago Architecture Foundation.15 Nov 2005

http://www.architecture.org/drivesite/intro0.html

Cridlebaugh, Bruce S. Terminology Structures: Bridge. Nov1. 26 Nov 2005 http://pghbridges.com/termsBrg.htm

Davies, Steve. The Great Revival of Public Markets. MakingPlaces October 2005. Project for Public Spaces. 0 Nov 2005http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/october2005/market_gallery?referre=newsletter_conte..

Day, Christopher. Places of the Soul. Massachusetts, USA: Archi-tectural Press, 2004.

Downtown Progress Report. 2004. Downtown St. Louis Partner-ship. May 2005 www.downtownstlouis.org

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Hesselgren, Sven. Mans Perception of Man-made Environment.Lund, Sweden: Studentlitteratur ab, 175.

Koren, Leonard. Wabi Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philoso-phers. California, USA: Stone Bridge Press 14.

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Lawrence, Roderick. Housing, Health and Aesthetics: Reconnect-ing the Senses. Aesthetics, Well-being, and Health. Vermont,USA: Ashgate Publishing, 2001.

McNulty, Elizabeth. St. Louis Then & Now. Thunder Bay Press:San Diego, CA USA 2000

Merriam-Websters Pocket Dictionary. Massachusetts, USA: Mer-riam-Webster, Incorporated, 15.

Milwaukee Public Market Dancing Cra ne Publishing 2 Nov 2005http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/index.shtml

ONeil, David. Markets at Their Best. Making Places October2005. Project for Public Spaces. 0 Nov 2005 http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/october2005/market_gallery?referre=newsletter_conte..

Phase II_Understanding of the Physical Setting and Market Op-portunities. 06 Sep 2000. Downtown Now! 24 Oct 2005http://stlouis.missouri.org/development/downtown-now/re-ports/phase2report.html

Pike Place Market 2 Nov 2005 http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?ash=true

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