inter•flow

october - december 2018

What is it

This is a project located at Garland Parklet, within the neighborhood of East Liberty in Pittsburgh, PA, United States. It is a multifunctional public center that delivers classes about agriculture, grows crops, and provides a market space for local farmers to sell their goods.

Why is it here?

Garland Parklet is one of Pittsburghs smaller parks, that have never been properly utilised. It is situated amid residential and commercial zones, with commuting potential through the park. Surrounding it, are various small businesses and large scale companies. This parklet provides a breathing space to the people in East Liberty.

Section Perspective Scale: 1":50 (Metric) 1' = 1/4” (Imperial) — **Section Perspective** Scale: 1":50 (Metric) 1' = 1/4” (Imperial)

The structure

The mass structure comes from the idea of a vault that flows along a path. It allows for the structure to be a part of the park instead of being a figure within the park. Visitors should not be confronted by a massive building. So why not put the building aside, to allow for more public space at the centre?

Site Analysis

The current conditions of the park are appalling. The space in the centre is occupied by tennis and basketball courts. Circulation through the park is nonexistant; paths have to circumambulate the courts at the center. An interesting situation arises, where the center is more private than the outer areas, as the peripheral spaces are closer to the road and public buildings, they see more traffic.

Observations made compile an unusual profile for a park. This park is less of a park, and more so a space to host sports courts. Every aspect of Garland Parklet is more of a decoration to the facilities it provides, and no longer preserves the atmosphere of a park.

Site plan ideas

Each design proposes a different method of publicising the centre space of the park. From these three, Idea 1 was selected because the path structure is organic, whilst avoiding redundancies like in idea 3. Moreover, idea 1 has a balance between the paths and the lots they create. This plays an important role with determining to place the structure and programme in the site.

amid·flows