Borders & Boundaries

BORDERS

BOUNDARIES

RE-THINKING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE US - MEXICO BORDER

Patrick Saucedo Instructor: Ammar Eloueini Thesis 2017- 2018 2 BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 3 4

“… the U.S.-Mexico border, is the busiest and among the most contrasting international borders in the world, with over one million crossings daily. It is the ninth longest in the world and the fourth longest in the Americas, with an area bigger than Spain or Sweden and a population larger than Guatemala or Portugal. It is a dynamic site that encompasses modern global issues that range from migration to trade to international relations to national sovereignty.”1 Fernando Romero Hyper-Border: The contemporary U.S. Mexico Border and its Future1

1. James Whitlow Delano/National Geographic BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 5

STATEMENT

The US – Mexico Border is viewed as a line in the sand separating the two independent nations. In actuality it is a thickened zone between two boundary lines. This thesis will investigate the redevelopment of this intermediary zone by introducing a new architectural armature, for those seeking to cross this threshold. The project will attempt to solve the issues either ignored or exacerbated by the two countries, creating an idealized community produced by, but independent of the failures of the current dynamics of the region. 6

ABSTRACT

Since the beginning of civilization people have fought over land, disputed what nation, tribe or political faction controls what river, mountain range, field or forest. Political borders and boundaries have long been plagued with conflict ranging from migration, immigration, ethnic or religious cleansing and war. We draw our maps with black lines dividing countries, states and provinces, often these lines following elements of the natural landscape such as rivers or mountains. This document will study one such case border conflict, the U.S-Mexico border region, in hopes to discover the potential for border conflicts to be resolved through the means of architecture.

The Unites States Southern border with The United Mexican States, commonly referred to as the U.S and Mex- ico respectively, has been subject to much debate in American politics. It has been a heated debate calling into question; 1. Who should be allowed to cross? 2. How and when should they cross? 3. Should anyone be allowed to cross? Both implemented strategies and proposed solutions to ease the tensions along the border have been simple minded and unable to properly address the issues facing the region. From closing the 2,000 mile border with walls and fencing, to opening the flood gates the range of ideas have failed to capitalize and propose investment in the region.

Much of the border is impassable by foot or by car, rendering a man made barrier irrelevant and ease of transit difficult to accomplish. Erecting a wall or other physical barrier is not only expensive but fails to prevent any the issues it claims to solve. As declared in the opening statement this thesis will propose an infrastructural and architectural investment in the region. This investment will seek to create a prototypical example of how the border can be a cooperative and less combative region. The architectural project developed will attempt to establish replicable idea that can be used to revitalize sections of the border.

2. James Whitlow Delano/National Geographic BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 7

CONTENTS

STATEMENT 5

ABSTRACT 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS 7

INTRODUCTION 8

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 9

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE US-MEXICO BORDER AND IMMIGRATION RELATIONS THE EVOLUTION OF THE US AND MEXICAN BORDER 10 A HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION NORTH 14 THE WAR ON DRUGS AND THE RISE OF NARCOS STATES 16

CURRENT POLICIES AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS CURRENT US BORDER POLICY 17 CURRENT PROBLEMS MEXICO IF FACING ON ITS SOUTHERN BORDER 17 THE CURRENT “SOLUTIONS” AND THE RECIPRICAL NATURE OF SISTER CITIES 18

THE ARCHITECTURE CASE STUDIES AND PRECEDENT ANALYSIS 22 PROGRAM AND SITE ANALYSIS 40

INTRODUCTION

This thesis is not purely an academic exercise and thought experiment. It is also issue that has affected me personally. While this document will not focus on the personal impacts on myself, it does approach the political and societal aspects from a certain perspective.

The solutions proposed in this essay and design are not meant to be interpreted as “end all be all” type proposal but rather a spark to ignite further debate, research and discourse on issues facing the U.S-Mex- ico border. This document and its accompanying design are meant to be viewed as a theoretical experiment addressing the region.

3. Inge Johnsson/Alamy BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 9

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my professor Ammar Eloueini for his incite and helpful feedback throughout the research and design process. I would also like to thank my peers for all engaging conversation and debate on both my thesis topic and their own. Both parties have proven useful in the production of this document.

It should also be noted that all those outside of my academic ventures, who were willing to discuss the contents of this document and the topic at hand, your feedback has allowed me to discuss this topic beyond the boundaries of architecture.

Lastly I would like to thank my family, I appreciate the sacrifices made by to aid in my journey to where I am today. Without their unyielding support this document would not be possible. 10

A BRIEF HISTORY of the US-MEXICO BORDER and IMMIGRATION RELATIONS The Evolution of the U.S. and Mexican Border(s) Three countries control a majority of the landmass in North and Central America, The United States, Canada and Mexico. In total the three countries control a large percentage of the continents and drive a significant portion of the western hemispheres economy. All three of these nations once be- longed to European empires as colonies or extensions of their influence. The development of these three countries has spanned centuries, resulting unique relationships between them, due to both proximity and shared histories. The a. US 1783 most dynamic of the border relationships between these major political pow- ers is that of the United States and Mexico, once belonging to The United Kingdom and Spain, respectively. A proper historical context must be provided to understand the current political climate surrounding the shared border of these two nations.

The first of the two countries to gain their independence from their parent nation was the United States. The United States declared their independence from the United Kingdom in 1776 and fully received their independence in 1783 with the treaty of Paris marking both the end to the American b. US 1803 Revolution and defining the first borders for the country. This included the original boundaries of the thirteen colonies and all British held lands east of the Mississippi river (diagram a). The second expansion of the country came with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, while the original deal struck with the then Kingdom of France was only the rights to negotiate for purchasing of the land and the final purchase came as late as the 1970’s (diagram b). How- ever it is perceived as the first major expansion of the U.S. and as soon as the original deal was struck with France American settlers began moving west- ward sparking the concepts of ‘Manifest Destiny’ and ‘The Right to Work’. Shortly after the Louisiana Purchase a series of secessions from 1810 to 1819 c. US 1819 acquired from Spain and Britain, including Florida and parts of northern Maine, North Dakota, and Louisiana and the gulf coast (diagram c), set the groundwork for larger expansions in the west.

The two of the next three significant western expansions were acquired as a result from direct conflict with the then thirty year old country of Mexico. In 1836 the territory of Texas received independence from Mexico and nine years later in 1845 it was annexed into the United States (diagram d). The second acquisition directly from Mexico was a result of the Mexican-Amer- ican war, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848. The treaty d. US 1845 ceded modern day states of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Wyo- ming, Colorado and Arizona and what remained of Texas (diagram e). The treaty also established the Rio Grande River as the primary place holder for the southern border separating the two nations. The last direct acquisition from Mexico occurred in 1853 with the Gadsden Purchase, roughly form- ing the border as it stands today. The third and final major expansion of the continental United States was purchased from Britain in 1848, the Oregon territory consisting of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and parts of Montana and Wyoming. e. US 1848 All Images by Author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 11 The story of Mexico’s boundaries is somewhat of an antithesis to that of the United States, one of compression rather than expansion. Mexico started as larger nation than the one that exists today, originally consisting of what is now the United States West coast and Midwest (diagram f). Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 eleven years after the initial call for independence in 1810. Prior to Mexico’s independence Spain held much of North America west of the Mississippi river and south of Forty Ninth parallel, the western half of South America and all of Central America, however as a result of Napoleon’s occupation of Spain diminished Spanish influence and military power in the America’s. After gaining it independence, Mexico struggled to maintain control over its territory south of the Yucatan, now comprising the f. MX 1821 nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras (diagram g). In 1835 Mexico faced revolts in both Texas and the Yucatan (diagram h). Unlike the rebellion in the Yucatan region Texas successfully separated from the nation of Mexico. After Texan rebels defeated Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto, Texas independence was on to follow and in June of 1836 the boundaries of Mexico had diminished (diagram i).

Mexico’s independence raised problems for the country, as the government of Mexico did not recognize Santa Anna’s authority to release the territory of Texas from its control. Furthermore the now independent nation of Texas be- g. MX 1823 gan to claim its southernmost border as the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as per the terms of the treaty with Santa Ana. While no military action had been taken till this point in time, once Texas had been annexed into the United States and the Mexican government had refused to recognize Texas as sovereign land of the U.S. the countries declared war on each other and thus began the Mexican American War. The war ended in 1848 after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, again shrinking the size of Mexico’s border south the Rio Grande (diagram j).

The final result of the two nation’s boundaries and the path to this shared h. MX 1835 border begins to shape much of the issues that face the border in present day, from migrant laborers, refugees and the smuggling of drugs. Ramón A. Gutierrez states in his essay Mexican Immigration to the United States, “The geographic proximity between the two countries, compounded by profound economic disparities, has continuously attracted Mexican immigrants, facil- itated by a border that is rather porous and that has been poorly patrolled for much of the 20th century.” These reasons set the stage for the present conflict of the border.

i. MX 1836

k. The border and surrounding states as it stands today. j. MX 1848 12

4. Whit Richardson/Alamy BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 13 14 A History of Immigration North

“Communities along the United States-Mexico border have a great deal in common, including a shared history, two deserts, rapid population growth, thriving tourism, and deepening economic integration. Day- to-day life for people living along the border is shaped by these common elements, plus the distinctive feature of international border that divides families, friends, and businesses.”2

Due to both nations’ proximity and their shared history immigration has been a constant component of their relationship; however that is not to be confused that the direction of immigration has been equal or pro- portionate to both countries. It has been undoubt- edly focused in one direction, north, from Mexico to the United States. It also is not a new problem that has arisen over the last several decades; it has been a continuing problem since the finalization of the border. This dynamic has created a unique tension between the labor forces of the two nations.

People of Naco, Arizona and Naco Sonora playing a game of ‘Wallyball.’ 5. Jeff Topping/Reuters BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 15 During the great depression the United States, like After the war’s end and men returned the shortage much of the world, struggled to keep employment of workers did not diminish however. With much of down. Also during this time much of the American developed world recovering from the war the U.S. was Midwest and Southwest was combating the dust bowl the only developed country left to pick up the void and poor family farmers abandoned small farms and created by a slowly recovering European economy, moved to be migrant farm workers in California. Mex- this created a need for more laborers than previously ico also struggled to keep workers employed during the available. The Bracero program was created in the mid great depression with unemployment rising above that 1940’s to supply this shortage of workers with immi- of the U.S. at middle range of 15%3. This caused many grants from Mexico. The braceros provided a cheap laborers to move north in hopes to find work as mi- labor force to work in the agricultural and manufac- grant farmers in the U.S. creating the first significant turing industries, and created a desire for this cheap competition of domestic and immigrant workers. This labor force. This desire continued the immigration of competition continued until the start of the Second Mexican workers through the early 2000’s. However World War when both the United States and Mexico a new problem arose in Central and South American entered the war; however the U.S. saw a more dras- countries that introduced a new immigrant crossing tic shortage of men available to work in the growing the border, the “War on Drugs”. industries supplying the war effort. During this time the U.S. saw a major uptick in women in the workforce but also implemented the first work program designed to bring Mexican workers into the country to replace men sent off to war.

Mexican workers entering the United States under the Bracero program being fingerprinted as part of the processing procedure. 6. Leonard Nadel/National Museum of American History 16 The War on Drugs and the Rise of Narcos States The crackdown on drug use in the U.S. did not have the desired effect. The general public did not see a “... We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either decrease in drug use during the first several decades of against the war or black, but by getting the public to the drug war despite the introduction of more clever associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with campaigns such as the “Just Say No to Drugs” child- heroin. And then criminalizing both heavily, we could hood education program of the 1990’s. However it disrupt those communities,” Ehrlichman said. “We did create drug problems south of the border. The rise could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up of criminal narcotic empires arose directly from the their meetings and vilify them night after night on the war on drugs. The drug fueled criminal empires were evening news. Did we know we were lying about the not unlike that of the Italian Mafia during prohibition drugs? Of course we did.”3 era, they recognized a demand for a specific substance and used illegal means to cultivate and distribute their The “War on Drugs” began in the mid to late 60’s product to the public. These criminal empires did when U.S. President Richard Nixon had declared the exist in the U.S. but they found real success in the government of the United States would openly pursue struggling economies of central and South American and imprison users of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and countries. The rise of the criminal empires saw a direct other narcotics. Whether this increase in drug policy correlation in increased violence in these countries. enforcement was started with good intentions is not This caused many individuals to flee their homes to es- up for debate, a former Nixon aid stated that the war cape the violence and they moved north to the United on drugs was started and implemented with the intent States. These refugees are now a significant portion of to imprison African American’s and other minorities those crossing the border today. (quotation 3, above). The term marijuana itself was coined specifically to appear to be of Spanish origin and rhetoric was shaped to appear that it was being solely imported across the border (quotation 5, below). However as the drug war continued into the 1970’s and 80’s some of that rhetoric began to ring true.

“Throughout the 19th century, news reports and medical journal articles almost always use the plant’s formal name, cannabis. Numerous accounts say that “marijuana” came into popular usage in the U.S. in the early 20th century because anti-cannabis factions wanted to underscore the drug’s “Mexi- can-ness.” It was meant to play off of anti-immigrant sentiments.”5

Three boys working in the Coca fields in Columbia. 7. Carlos Villalon/Vice BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 17 administration that is not to say that previous admin- THE CURRENT POLICIES AND PROPOSED istration did not heavily enforce immigration laws. A SOLUTIONS Pew Research study shows that deportations have been on the rise steadily since and in 2001 hit an all- Current United States Border Policy time high in 2013 with 438,421 in the middle of the As stated earlier in this document immigration from Obama administration8. Regardless of political allign- the south is not a new problem for the United State ment the U.S. has approached the border region with (page 10), neither is deportation. The U.S. imple- simple minded and agressive deportatino enforcment mented its first major immigration policy in the early with little other policy considerations. 1930’s, with the Repatriation during the great depression. About 1 million individuals were forcibly removed Current Problems Mexico is Facing on its Southern from the U.S. and deported to Mexico6. However Border many of these individuals were not undocument- As a result of the drug war created by the United ed immigrants but actually U.S. citizens of Mexican States the rise of Narcos States south of Mexico such descent, Francisco Balderrama, author of “Decade Of as Columbia and Venezuela, Mexico now faces many Betrayal: Mexican Repatriation In The 1930s,” stated of the immigration issues on its southern border that in a interview with National Public Radio (NPR) in the U.S. faces. A Pew Research study shows how an 2015 “Well, conservatively, we’re talking about over increasing number of those crossing the border come 1 million Mexican nationals and American citizens of from south of Mexico9, many of whom are fleeing Mexican descent from throughout the United States… violence in their countries of origin10. While Mexico Conservatively, we are able to estimate that 60 per- is not seen as the final destination by many of these cent of them were U.S. citizens of Mexican descent.”6 immigrants the nation does see this as a problem, as it Today’s current presidential administration has made cannot support these individuals while they are in the great efforts to ‘crackdown’ on illegal immigration. In country. The journey North through Mexico for ref- an article for the New York Times “New Trump Depor- ugees fleeing Southern conflicts is difficult, dangerous tation Rules Allow Far More Expulsions”, by Michael and often results in the loss in life (image 8). A solu- Shear and Ron Nixon, it explains “the new policies are tion for these issues is not purely political problem but a rejection of the sometimes more restrained efforts a humanitarian concern in desperate need of a proper by Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush solution. Another study by Pew shows that immigra- and their predecessors.”7 The article further explains tion directly from Mexican born citizens has fallen to how the administration is making attempts to publicize net zero11 further demonstrating that the net positive illegal immigrant arrests and “take the shackles off of immigration across the U.S. border is due to problems the nation’s immigration enforces.”7 While the im- further south than Mexico. migration policy has been a focal point of the Trump

Migrants riding “la bestia,” or “the beast”, during the journey north. 8. John Moore/Getty Images 18 The Current “Solutions” and the Reciprocal Nature of feasible (regardless of who pays for it) but also does Sister Cities not solve the supposed problem of people let alone Many of the current rhetoric of today in the Unit- criminals entering the country. If the wall is built forty ed States is rather aggressive towards its southern feet high then the manufactures of forty one foot neighbor, President Donald Trump has used incredi- ladders will see an increase in sales. It also does not bly incendiary language in his call for constructing a truly address how criminal entities are transporting southern border wall (image 8). drugs across the border, through tunnels. If the wall were to be effective it must not only be built to touch “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the skies but must stretch down into the earth, this the best. They’re sending people that have lots of “solution” will not ever come to a realization. It should problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re also be acknowledged that the design solution that this bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rap- document supports is equally not monetarily feasible. ists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak The solution itself is a theoretical experiment produced to border guards and they’re telling us what we’re to demonstrate the possibilities that could come forth getting.”12 with an alternative perspective on the border. President Donald J. Trump During speech announcing candidacy for presidency Other solutions also do not address the true problems of the border; rather they build upon the initial reac- Regardless of how political leaders speak about south- tion of building a physical divider. For example the ern immigration the construction of a wall along the design proposal introduced by DOMO Architecture entirety of a southern wall is both monetarily not + Design (case study 3, page 28), a Miami based firm,

Prototypes of the Trump administrations’ border wall. 9. Elliot Spagat/Assiciated Press

DOMO Architects border ‘Wall’ proposal. 10. DOMO Architecture BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 19 simply creates a giant ravine dug into the ground in benefit these communities and both countries on the an effort to preserve views across the border region whole. (image 9). Again bridges or ladders could defeat this strategy, although another criticism is that making the “A state of interdependence. Due to Mexico’s reli- diving barrier, regardless of how pretty it manifests, ance on remittances, the United States’ dependence does little to solve any issue. Like many of the current on Mexican undocumented labor, the reciprocal proposed solutions it is simple minded and doesn’t view nature of sister cities, and the constant exchanges of the region as a potential asset. goods and people across the hyper-border, the two nations have arrived at an unforeseen and unprece- Various cities and towns are split by the border but dented state of interdependence.”11 each side is codependent on the other. In addition to the ineffectiveness of stopping immigration a physical barrier would further divide theses ‘sister cities’ (diagram l). In many of the these urban environments the border is essentially a formality preventing people from easily moving from one side of the city or making them late for work every once in awhile. Introducing a prototypical architectural intervention could serve to

San Ysidro & Tijuana Yuma & San Luis Nogales El Paso & Juarez

Del Rio & Acuna Laredo & Nuevo Laredo Brownsville & Matamoros

Major “Sister Cities” with population larger than 250,000 l. by Author 20 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY historical and modern political setting of the US Mex- ican border. St. John explores the various factors that 1. Dewey, Alicia M. Pesos and Dollars: Entrepreneurs in contribute to the creation and views of the boundaries the Texas-Mexico Borderlands, 1880-1940. Texas A&M line and how those affect the contemporary political University Press, 2014. attitude towards cross border relations. Focusing more Pesos and Dollars: Entrepreneurs in the Texas-Mex- on the political side of the argument for both border ico Borderlands, 1880-1940 by Alicia Dewey delves security and/ or porosity, helps elaborate how the into a brief 50 year history, from 1880 to 1940, of views and opinions in society are nuanced and very commerce and business between the expanding and ingrained in communities on both sides of the argu- developing nations of the United States and Mexico ment and border. This could serve as a basis for how along the Texas and Mexican border. Dewey explores the architectural intervention can approach the region how workers and employers regularly crossed the with to mend political divide in the separated commu- border with easy and a desire to create a community nities. The historical context of the political divide also based on both people and capitalism rather than using provides how a delicate touch to the landscape. lines on a map to divide people. She also explores how 4. Passel, Jeffrey & Cohn, D’Vera & Gonzalez-Bar- the diversity of the region aided growth during the 50 rera, Ana. “Net Migration from Mexico Falls to Zero years the Book Explores. This book lends itself to the - and Perhaps Less”. Pew Research Center. April 23, thesis by showing a time when the border between the 2012. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/04/23/net- US and Mexico was used to benefit local communities. migration-from-mexico-falls-to-zero-and-perhaps- This brief history provides both economic and cultur- less/ al evidence that encouraging individuals to cross the The article guides the reader through various studies border can be vital to the region’s success and provide showing the movement of Mexican immigrants mov- evidence for the reason to bring this concept into the ing south back across the border. The authors show modern era. how during times of economic downturn in the United 2. Anderson, Joan & Gerber, James. Fifty Years of States works head back across the border in search Change on the U.S.-Mexico Border: Growth, Develop- for work. Another reason for the net zero immigration ment, and Quality of Life. University of Texas Press, is due to migrant agricultural work. During times of 2008. planting and harvesting farming communities in the Anderson and Gerber begin their study of the last fifty southwestern united states need a larger workforce years by describing the similarities between both sides to manage the crops and livestock but during the ‘off of the border, consisting of geography a “shared his- season’ workers move back across the border to find tory” and in many cases economic ties. However they economic opportunity. These statistics and studies quickly move into how the border is more a hinderance could provide useful for a transportation infrastructure to these local communities regardless of their shared intervention. ‘environment’. The discussion in the book is a direct 5. Romero, Fernando. Hyper-Border: The Contem- study of how increasingly hostile rhetoric and political porary U.S.-Mexico Border and It’s Future. Princeton attention being paid towards the border is hindering Architectural Press, 2008. the growth of the region. The writers also delve into The Hyper-Border is a indepth study of the dynam- the shared cultural elements of the two sides of the ics of the US-Mexican border. Romero detials the border, but share little economically. In contrast to economic, social and immigration impacts the region to the Dewey piece the Anderson and Gerber book has delt with and how it is affected in the global scale. explores a more recent history and shows how border The book has been a prime tool for the thesis due to relations have affected the progress of cities and com- its indpeth analysis of migration flows, deportaiton munities along the border. This can provide evidence policies and the causes and affects of the issues fac- for how it is necessary for an architectural intervention ing the border. Romero paints an elequent picture of in this region. border while maintaining an object stance socially and 3. St. John, Rachel. Line in the Sand: A History of the politically. The book also provides extensive diagrams Western U.S.-Mexico Border. Princeton University Press, and maps of the acompaning fact patterns detailed 2011. throughout the text. The Line in the Sand by Rachel St. John details the BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 21 CITATIONS AND QUOTES IN ORDER OF AP- migration-from-mexico-falls-to-zero-and-perhaps- PEARANCE less/ 12. Trump, Donald J. Transcribed by Time Staff. 1. Romero, Fernando. Hyper-Border: The Contem- “Here’s Donald Trump’s Presidential Announce- porary U.S.-Mexico Border and It’s Future. Princeton ment Speech.” Time. 16 Jun. 2015. http://time. Architectural Press, 2008. com/3923128/donald-trump-announcement-speech/ 2. Anderson, Joan & Gerber, James. Fifty Years of Change on the U.S.-Mexico Border: Growth, Develop- IMAGES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE ment, and Quality of Life. Univerity of Texas Press, 2008. 1. Digital Photo by James Whitlow Delano. Nation- 3. Sheldon Filger. “U.S. Unemployment Rate Soars al Geographic. Web. 24. Nov. 2017. https://news. to Great Depression Levels.” Huffington Post. 6 May. nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160304-us-mexi- 2009. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheldon-filg- co-border-fence-wall-photos-immigration/ er/us-unemployment-rate-soar_b_183292.html 2. Digital Photo by James Whitlow Delano. Nation- 4. LoBianco, Tom. “Report: Aide says Nixon’s al Geographic. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. https://news. war on drugs targeted blacks, hippies.” Cable News nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160304-us-mexi- Network (CNN). 24 Mar. 2016. http://www.cnn. co-border-fence-wall-photos-immigration/ com/2016/03/23/politics/john-ehrlichman-richard- 3. Digitial Photo by Inge Johnsson. Alamy. Web. 24 nixon-drug-war-blacks-hippie/index.html Nov. 2017. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/con- 5. Thompson, Matt. “The Mysterious Histo- tent/dam/adventure/photos/paddling-big-bend/Land- ry of ‘Marijuana’”. National Public Radio (NPR). scape-Rio%20Grand-Big-Bend-National-Park.jpg 22 Jul. 2013. https://www.npr.org/sections/ 4. Digital Photo by Whit Richardson. National Geo- codeswitch/2013/07/14/201981025/the-mysteri- graphic. Web. 24. Nov. 2017. https://news.national- ous-history-of-marijuana geographic.com/2016/03/160304-us-mexico-bor- 6. Franciso Balderrama. Fresh Air. By Terry Gross. der-fence-wall-photos-immigration/ September 10, 2015. 5. Digital Photo by Jeff Topping. Reuters. Web. 24 7. Nixon, Ron & Shear, Michael. “New Trump De- Nov. 2017. https://qz.com/484342/locals-are-using- portation Rules Allow Far More Expulsions.” The the-us-mexico-border-fence-as-a-giant-volleyball- New York Times. 21 Feb. 2017. https://www.nytimes. net/ com/2017/02/21/us/politics/dhs-immigration-trump. 6. Digital Photo by Leonard Nadel. National Museum html of American History. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. http://am- 8. Gonzalez-Barrera, Ana & Krogstad, Jens. “U.S. history.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_1121.html Deportations of Immigrants Reach Recod High in 7. Digital Photo by Carlos Villalon. Vice. Web. 24 2013.” Pew Research Center. 2 Oct. 2014. http:// Nov. 2017. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qbxw- www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/10/02/u-s- jx/photographing-colombia-war-on-cocaine-876 deportations-of-immigrants-reach-record-high- 8. Digital Photo by John Moore. Getty Im- in-2013/ ages. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. https://www.npr. 9. Aggregate of Research. “Indicators of Re- org/2013/10/24/240534299/questions-for-oscar- cent Migration Flows from Mexico.” Pew Reseach martinez-author-of-the-beast Center. 30 May. 2007. http://www.pewhispanic. 9. Digital Photo by Elliot Spagat. Assiciated Press. org/2007/05/30/indicators-of-recent-migra- Web. 24 Nov. 2017. http://www.latimes.com/local/ tion-flows-from-mexico/ lanow/la-me-border-wall-20171028-story.html 10. Thompson, Reggie. “Who’s Really Crossing the 10. Digital Image by DOMO Architects. DOMO U.S.-Mexico Border.” Forbes. 2 May. 2017. https:// Architects. Web. 24. 2017. https://www.dezeen. www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2017/05/02/whos-re- com/2016/12/20/beautifying-border-propos- ally-crossing-the-u-s-mexico-border/#2bcfb51330c2 al-domo-architecture-design-replaces-us-mexi- 11. Cohn, D’Vera, Gonzales-Barrera, Ana & Passel, co-fence-landscaping/#/ Jeffrey. “New Migration from Mexico Falls to Ze- ro-and Perhaps Less.” Pew Research Center. 23 Apr. 2012. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/04/23/net- 22

CASE STUDIES AND PRECEDENT ANALYSIS

Introduction In order to produce and architectural solution to the issues surrounding the border several architectural projects were selected to be studied. These projects were both selected to provide useful incite to both form and function as well as help analyze failed attempts to provide solutions. The projects themselves consist of both build and unbuilt projects designed by various architects and range from 1920’s to 2017. Accompanying each project are a series of images used to describe specific aspects of the design. BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 23

1. SAN FRANCISCO TRANSBAY CENTER 24 Pelli Clark Pelli

2. EXODUS, THE VOLUNTARY PRISONERS OF ARCHITECTURE 26 Rem Koolhass

3. DOMO BORDER WALL PROPOSAL 28 DOMO Architecture + Design

4. NAPOLI-AFRAGOLO TRAIN STATION 30 Zaha Hadid Architects

5. UNITE d’HABITATION 32 Le Corbusier

6. PLAN VOISIN 34 Le Corbusier

7. BROADACRE CITY 36 Frank Llyod Wright

24 San Francisco Transbay Terminal Pelli Clark Pelli Est. Completion by 2017

The San Francisco Transbay Center is a major public transportation terminal at the heart of downtown San Francisco. The project is planned to link 11 independent transit systems at multiple scales, city, state and nation. The overall form of the project is an undulating screen enclosing multiple programmatic elements within a single skin spanning 5 city blocks. The Project is estimated to be completed late 2017, early 2018. The project encompasses not just a city wide public transit system but ties multiple larger scale transportation systems. The project also houses multiple commerce and retail components sur- Arial View of Transbay Terminal rounding the transit terminals. A third layer is added to the project of a urban scale green roof spanning the entire length of the project.

All images

“San Francisco’s new $2.3 billion transi center could be the most expensive bus terminal in the world.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. http:// www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-transbay- transit-center-tour-2016-11/#built-in-1939-the- transbay-terminal-served-26-million-passengers- annually-during-its-heyday-at-the-end-of-world- war-ii-when-gas-rationing-ended-in-the-40s- Cross Section of Transbay Terminal showing layers of program traffic-petered-out-1

Transbay Terminal Plan in Context BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 25

Interior Persoective of light well 26 Exedus, the Voluntary Prisoners of Architecture Rem Koolhaas 1972

Koolhaas begins with an analysis of the effects of the berlin wall. He describes how the harsh barrier created a “Good Half and a Bad Half” of the city creating an “urban exodus.” The introduction illus- trates the continuing separation of the city creates an illogical divide among people. Koolhaas describes how physical manifestation of the dividing wall develops a “psychological and symbolic” effect on the communities it divides. The essay continues to by immediately jumping into how the new proposal flips the idea of the wall on its head. Koolhaas claims that, “it is possible Arial Perspective to imagine a mirror image of this terrifying architecture, a force as intense and devastating but used instead in the service of positive intentions.” This claim both radical and provocative, using the divisiveness of a physical barrier to create a utopia within the ‘wall’ itself. The utopian proposal is articulated by a series of narratives serving distinct functions of the new society.

All images

“Exodus, or the Voluntary Prisoners of Archi- tecture.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. http:// socks-studio.com/2011/03/19/exodus-or-the-voluntary-prisoners-of-architecture/ Perspective of Entry

Plan View BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 27

Birds Eye View of Programmatic Element

Perspective Collage of Programmatic Element Perspective Collage of Programmatic Element 28 DOMO Border ‘Wall’ Proposal DOMO Architecture + Design Proposed 2017

The project is a proposal by DOMO Architecture + Design, located in Miami Florida, at the request of the Trump presidency. The design is rather simple; first giant ditch, second fill that with water and line it with shipping containers and last surround it with landscape. The design is effective in that it takes a unique approach to creating a physical, impenetrable barrier between Mexico and the Arial Perspective United States. However the design claims to solve the ‘problem’ without considering what the real problem is. Yes a tall 40 foot high concrete or steel wall is unattractive and obstructs and visual contact as well as circulation, but the proposal by DOMO is essentially an inverse wall, dug into the ground. The essential flaw of the proposed design is it doesn’t bring new ideas to the table as far function of the border. It takes the idea of developing Entry Port Perspective a physical barrier dividing the two countries, the only difference it attempts to make it look pretty. This method does little to solve the issues at hand while ignoring the fact that a wall above or below ground can and will be defeated by individuals seeking to cross the border.

All images

“Beautifying the Border proposal replase Desert Perspective US-MExico fence with landscaping.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. https://www.dezeen. com/2016/12/20/beautifying-border-proposal-domo-architecture-design-replaces-us-mexico-fence-landscaping/ BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 29

Section Perspective

Section Diagram

Section Perspective 2 30 NAPOLI-AFRAGOLO TRAIN STATION Zaha Hadid Architects 2017

The program of the Napoli-Afragola High Speed Train Station, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a mixed use development that contains a high- speed rail station and supplementary commercial and office space. The primary former that floats above the landscape contains the commercial, public and office spaces. However this is deceptive and meant to hide the linear paths of the high- speed rail station at the ground level. Arial Perspective

The sectional quality produced by the project, a densely packed public and private program hover- ing over a narrow linear circulation path is some- thing that can be reinterpreted and articulated within the repurposed intermediary zone. To stitch the 2000 mile border together a mass transit method must be introduced.

All images “Zaha Hadid Architects completes first phase of high speed rail station in Naples.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. https://www.dezeen. com/2017/06/08/zaha-hadid-architects-phase- one-napoli-afragola-high-speed-train-station-naples-italy-news/#/

Interior Photo

Site Plan BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 31

Interior Photo

Train Platform Plan

Building Section 32 UNITE d”Habitation Le Corbusier 1952

The Unite d’Habitation by Le Corbusier is a multi-family residential building located in Mar- seille, France. The building itself is as large as a city block and stands one story above the ground on giant piloti. The project can hold about 1600 residences and contains many of the common components of a neighborhood. Much of the communal program is located on top of the building such as a swimming pool, running track and kindergarten, however Le Corbusier does spread out other essential program throughout the struc- Arial Photo ture, shops, medical facilities etc. The original vision for the project was to be a city within a city.

The apartments themselves are organized into two interlocking L’s centered around a circulation core. The circulation core exists every other level allow- ing for the interlocking L shape of the apartments to intersect with the circulation. The L shaped apartments are split into two levels with each con- taining a balcony connected to the primary living space.

All images

“Brutalist buildings: Unite d’Habitation Marseille by Le Corbusier.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/15/le-corbusier-unite-d-habitation-cite-radieuse-marseille-brutalist-architecture/

Hallway Photo

Original Building Sections BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 33

Rooftop Photo

Unite Section Piloti Photo 34 PLAN VOISIN or RADIANT CITY Le Corbusier 1920’s

During the 1920’s and 30’s Le Corbusier designed several master plans for urban cities throughout the world. One of the most influential are Plan Voisin in Paris, France. Plan Voisin rethinks downtown Paris, demolishing much of the city’s historic neighborhoods to create a series of towers dispersed amongst the urban landscape. The towers are connected by several layers of urban fabric, one for greenspace, one for transportation, Model Photo etc. Alongside the towers are mid-rise buildings, consisting of housing, and various civil and public program. The more regulated and order system introduced by Corbusier proposed an increase of the standard of living in a dense urban environment.

Corbusier’s master plan for the downtown of Paris did not arrive without criticism. Many thought the demolition of a historic neighborhood would be disrespectful. Another common critique was that the project proposed little to solve some of the socio-economic issues in turn of the century Paris.

All images

“The Street.” N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2017. http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/ morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisObjectId=6159&sys- Language=en-en&itemPos=2&itemCount=2&sys- Arial Perspective ParentName=Home&sysParentId=65

Arial Perspective BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 35

Arial Perspective

Arial Perspective 36 BROADACRE CITY Frank Llyod Wight 1934-35

Broadacre City is a theoretical project designed by Frank Llyod Wright, of his vision for the future city. The four square mile site was envisioned as sprawling community set within a naturalistic context with community centers, family farms, and small-scale industry sprinkled throughout. The urban circulation of the project was focused on the automobile, at the time the automobile was a pio- neering development in transportation. However the low slung building scape gave way to one of Arial Perspective Wrights more ambitious components of the proposal, an aerial highway trafficked by “aerators”, Wrights concept of a family owned helicopter used as a flying car.

Wrights envisioned utopia was never realized and was a product of its time, focused on a true sub- urbia complete superhighways filled with auto- mobiles and the skies filled with flying ones. The sprawling community immersed into nature, with the focus on the individual being a key component of a whole is the primary takeaway of the theoretical project.

‘Super Car’ Concept Sketch

Arial Perspective BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 37

Model Photo

Model Photo 38

Saguaro Cactus/wallpaperstudio10.com BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 39 40

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

The following portion of this document is a test of the experiment. How can an architectural and infrastructural development create a unified border that is mutually beneficial to both the United States and Mexico. The project will attempt to create a counter narrative to the combative rhetoric surrounding the border. The project will also formulate a method to create circulation parallel to the border rather than strictly in a perpendicular fashion. The project developed will focus on a specific section of the border as a prototype development. BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 41

1. PROGRAM AND SITE ANALYSIS 42

2. BIG BEND UNIFICATION 43

3. OJINAGA AND PRESIDIO HISTORY 44

4. SITE 45

5. IMPLEMENTATION 46

PROGRAM AND SITE ANALYSIS

Introduction

As expressed in the opening statement of this essay INTERMEDIARY ZONE the U.S.-Mexico border is not a single line that simple divides the two countries but rather a thickened zone that separates the two nations (top right). This is where WIDTHS VARYING the project seeks to intervene, neither in one nation or the other but in an intermediary zone that traps users as they seek to pass through. An introduction of a border The border is currently a threshold to be passed over. wall is not only expensive for simple barrier, but doesn’t remotely solve the problems facing the border region (middle right).

The architecture developed will focus on the economic and social struggle between the two nations. While the number of Mexican immigrants has been on the decline in recent years this is by no means a permanent state of affairs. The economic structure of the United States has continually been dependent on Mexican labor and U.S. base companies are increasingly “relocating” jobs BORDER WALL to Mexico. With this dependent nature of both business and labor between the two nations an interjection on their shared border that can both foster a positive eco-

nomic relationship and revitalize struggling communities WIDTHS VARYING split by the border (bottom right).

The introduction of a border wall would restrict some movement across this threshold. VARYING WIDTHS VARYING

However an architecture introduced in the neutral zone Intermediary Zone Separating San Ysidro and Tijuana could develop in multiple ways.

All images edited by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 43 The Narrative and without the harsh, physical division of a wall or fence they are a perfect for an intervention that can The architecture is derived from both social struggle yield a new perspective on the border. and economic tension or the border region. These two dynamics of the U.S. – Mexican border begins to The project is comprised of three major components. formulate the program of the project. The projects The first is an automotive factory that employs indi- seeks to bridge the gap of the both the social and eco- viduals from both sides of the border, which creates a nomic struggles of the border. The project developed competitive job market and would stabilize wages. The will attempt to stitch together border towns split by second component is an integration to the existing the intermediary zone in a pedestrian and commercial rail line on the Southside of Ojinaga. The integration aspect. The harsh policies of border security have put would be two fold, with an extension of the rail acting a significant strain on both larger border cities and as the primary materials delivery and product distribu- smaller border towns but in different ways. While the tion for the factory and a pedestrian rail that would link larger cities have faced an influx of crossing and traffic the “Big Bend” of the Rio Grande and connect to the along the border they have actually increased in size third component of the program. The third element is and population and many have seen economic growth a pedestrian bridge that would connect the two towns because of it. However the inverse has happed to the which they are currently without. smaller towns along the border. Due to harsher border restrictions the many of the smaller towns don’t have The site is located at the start of the “Big Bend” of the infrastructure to cope with the stringent guide- the Rio Grande in Presidio, Texas and Ojinaga, Chi- lines. This has caused people and ultimately business’s huahua. The project situates itself between the two to flee these smaller towns in search for places that vehicle border checkpoints (left) and utilizes the bridge can more easily facilitate their needs. One such region as major point of integration and circulation for the that has seen such issues are the small borders towns workers and visitors to the project. The widened zone split by the Rio Grande river such as Ojinaga and between these checkpoints is a clear example of the Presidio. The current wall and fence system was not intermediary zone. The site is used as a prototype of installed in much of the Rio Grande River region due the clearly defined intermediary zone. The current to the natural barriers of the river and mountains. This crossing is only facilitates vehicular traffic, however the has left the smaller towns split by the river in a unique Texas Department of Transportation has authorized an position in regards to the rest of the border. Small expansion of the current bridge and a rebuilding of the towns like these is where this experiment will take rail bridge to the south. The project will integrate itself place. They use the river for irrigation and each side into these two infrastructure developments. constantly rely on each other for labor and business,

BIG BEND RAIL CONNECTION

OJINAGA - PRESIDIO AUTO BRIDGE

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAILROAD

LA ESTACION OJINAGA

All images edited by author 44 “Big Bend” Unification This unified section of the border is an experiment that can be used as a prototype for other sections of the The project seeks to unify the big bend of the Rio border that are suffering. While some elements of the Grande River (below), namely the three towns of Oji- architecture are dependent on site specific infrastruc- naga/Presidio (bottom left), Lajitas (bottom middle) ture elements, such as the vehicular and rail bridge, the and Boquillas (bottom right). At one point the US and program is defined in a manner that can be adapted Mexico planned for a joint “international park” that and altered for the specific needs of its new context. would unify the region. The project could facilitate this For example the visitor crossing and the pedestrian abandoned goal by unifying the big bend with pedes- circulation is the most vital to the program and can trian infrastructure. All three of the towns, while have scaled down and reformatted to meet the demands of no man made barriers, are split by the Rio Grande but the context. The auto-factory is not a constant and depend on each other greatly. The project will use a can be reprogrammed to meet the economic needs of pedestrian rail line to move workers and visitors almost the specific community it is serving. 100 miles between the three towns. This will attempt to revitalize the communities that have slowly been on the decline in recent years.

SAN YSIDRO & TIJUANA YUMA & SAN LUIS

NOGALES EL PASO

OJINAGA & PRESIDIO DEL RIO & ACUNA LAJITAS BOQUILLAS

LAREDO

BROWNSVILLE & MATAMOROS

Ojinaga, Lajitas and Boquillas Location Diagram

OJINAGA LAJITAS BOQUILLAS

All images edited by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 45 History of Ojinaga and Presidio the south side of town was damaged by fire and Texas Department of Transportation has passed a $13 mil- Founding lion grant to rebuild the bridge. The town saw a small The area was originally settled by the native tribes, decline since the bridge has not nonoperational. known to the Spanish as the Pueblos. The Spanish first arrived in 1535 and called the small settlement Demographics and Economy La Junta de las Cruces. The first Americans arrived in The total population is about 27,000 people with just 1848 just after the conclusion of the Mexican-Amer- over 5,100 living in Presidio and 22,000 living in Oji- ican War, most were dirt farmers and cattle ranch- naga. The population was on a steady and significant ers. Pancho Villa used the town as a base during the incline until 2016 and decreased around 10% since. Mexican Revolution which caused concern for the US The primary economic drivers of the towns are agricul- government. The two towns split by the Rio Grande ture, cattle ranching and several factories that employ have been forever linked and are a prime example of a significant portion of the population. the interdependence of border towns. Landscape International Relations The towns of Presidio and Ojinaga lay in a small valley After September 11, 2001 the US started to restrict of the Rio Grande with two mountain ranges to the local traffic across the border and many towns that north and south. The towns also sit at the junction of depended on local crossing for economic growth. Pre- the Rio Conchos and the Rio Grande commonly re- sidio and Ojinaga greatly depended on ease of traffic ferred to as “La Junta”. This has created a fertile valley across the Rio Grande. In 2008 the rail bridge on suitable for irrigation and agriculture.

View of Ojinaga at night

ahoramismo.mx 46 Implementation

The project takes into account analysis of current border dynamics and infrastructure to create a new dynamic for communities split by the border. By locating its self in a community that is currently without a wall or other manmade barrier, the project allows itself to explore what it means to view the border as an opportunity of investment rather that a place to be divided and forgotten.

View of a Church in Ojinga Jesus Alfredo/ flikr.com

SAN DIEGO - TUSCON REGION EL PASO REGION RIO GRANDE REGION 58K 70K 176K

600

400

200 OJINAGA & PRESIDIO 600

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 SAN DIEGO 400 200

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 EL PASO IN 2017 THE RIO GRANDE REGION AND THE EL PASO REGION YEILDED THE HIGHEST APPREHENSIONS ALONG THE 600 BORDER. OJINAGA AND PRESIDIO ARE SITUATED BETWEEN THESE TWO 400 REGIONS. 200

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 RIO GRANDE

Apprehensions Diagram

Images by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 47

SECURE FENCE ACT (2006)

MILES OF BORDER FENCING

700 CURRENT BARRIER 600 500 RIO GRANDE 400 300 200 100 0 1996 2006 2013

WITH MIGRATION INCREASING IN THE RIO GRANDE REGION SMALLER TOWNS HAVE STRUGGLED TO ADAPT TO POPULATION INCREASES AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC STABILITY

OJINAGA & PRESIDIO LAJITAS BOQUILLAS

CURRENT BORDER FENCING HAS REROUTED MIGRATION FLOWS TO THE RIO GRANDE

Current Fencing Diagram

Images by Author 48 Implementation

The project situates itself between the two current border checkpoints of Presidio and Ojinaga. The introduction of a new pedestrian crossing attempts to bring more visitors and increase tourism to the region. The project strategically builds of existing infrastructure. The project also demonstrates how introducing a wall would be not only ineffective but would sever the vital dependency of the two towns have created for eacho- ther.

Ports of Entry INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE

THE PRESIDIO AND OJINAGA BORDER CHECK- POINTS ARE SEPARATED BY A “NO BUILD ZONE”

OJINAGA PORT OF ENTRY

PRESIDIO PORT OF ENTRY

INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE Site Plan and Border Checkpoint Locations Images by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 49

IF A WALL IS BUILT IF CONNECTION IS ALONG THE RIVER PRE- PRESERVED THE WALL SIDIO WILL BE CUT OFF WOULD HAVE TO BE FROM OJINAGA BUILT AROUND THE TOWN

THIS STRATEGY WOULD ISOLATE PRESIDIO FROM THE US AND WOULD NEED A PRIVATE FARM LAND WILL SECOND CHECKPOINT HAVE TO BE PURCHASED NORTH OF TOWN TO BUILD PORTIONS OF THE WALL

Wall Built Along Border Wall Built Around Presidio

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAIL ROAD CONNEC-

PUBLIC CROSSING

WORK/AUTO CIRCULATION

THE PROJECT ATTACHES ITSELF AND BUILDS UPON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

Project Site Circulation Diagram Images by Author 50 The Site The well-defined intermediary zone split by the Rio Grande is a prime location for intervention. The “no The specific site focused on for the means of develop- man’s land” is a notable vacancy in the urban fabric ing the experiment is between the towns of Ojinaga between the Ojinaga and Presidio. While Ojinaga has and Presidio. The project is sited directly between the a significantly larger population, almost 4 times as two vehicle checkpoints for the two towns. There is much as Presidio, the urban fabric is along the river is nearly 1,500 feet between the two checkpoints that stopped abruptly to create the intermediary zone. The clearly forms an intermediary zone. The sole ele- project also straddles the river (bottom) giving prefer- ment that intersects this zone is the vehicular bridge ence to neither country or side of the border. The sig- that connects the two checkpoints. The project over nificance of locating the project directly on the border arches this bridge and uses it as a jumping off point for is to refocus the town centers towards what currently infrastructure integration. The project will feed off divides them. The overall objective would be not only the momentum of the Texas Department of Transpor- use this development as a prototype but also as a point tation addition to the checkpoint bridge and the rail that both towns would build off of and further develop, bridge (top). further integrating the two communities.

Urban Plan Rail Connection

Site Plan Image by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 51 Implementation

The architecture concept is a play on the implementation of a wall along the border. The diagram of the project is to ‘thicken’ the wall and elevate the bulk of the program (top left). The next element is an introduction of the connection rail designed to supply the factory and stitch together the Big Bend region (middle left). The last component of the project is the public bridge that connects the two sides of the border together (bottom left).

The project takes a long linear shape to emulate the introduction of a wall. However the public crossing program does break the linear massing of the other program. This is an intentional move that is meant to highlight the public connection of the project (right).

View of Ojinaga Border Crossing eldictamendeojinaga.com.mx

PUBLIC CROSSING PUBLIC CROSSING WORK WORK WORK

CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL

RIO GRANDE

OPEN UP DIVISIVE WALL LIFT THICKEND / OCCUPIABLE LIFT THICKEND / OCCUPIABLE CREATE NEW PUBLIC BRIDGE OVER RIVER CONDITION SPACE SPACE CROSSING Project Concept Diagram Image by author 52

Third Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan Image by author BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 53

Factory and Cantilever View

Vehicle Bridge Crossing

Pedestrian Bridge Crossing 54

United States Elevation

Mexico Elevation

Short Section BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 55

Massing and Concept Axon

Long Section 56 Final Board Layout

The final board layout is organized to first introduce BORDERS AND BOUNDARIES Re-thinking the Development of the US - Mexico Border the audience to the topic of the border. The project PATRICK ALAN SAUCEDO

STATEMENT The US – Mexico Border is viewed as a line in the sand separating the two independent nations. In actuality it is a thickened zone between two boundary lines. This thesis will investigate the redevelopment of this intermediary zone by introducing a new architectural armature, for those seeking to cross this threshold. The project will attempt to solve the issues either ignored or exacerbated by the two countries, creating an idealized community produced by, but is introduced by a series of diagams and images that independent of the failures of the current dynamics of the region.

SECURE FENCE ACT (2006) help explain why and what the project is attempting MILES OF BORDER FENCING 700 CURRENT BARRIER 600 500 RIO GRANDE 400 300 to accomplish. The board then moves into images and 200 SAN YSIDRO & TIJUANA YUMA & SAN LUIS 100 0 1996 2006 2013 drawings that were produced to emphasize specific NOGALES EL PASO WITH MIGRATION INCREASING IN THE RIO GRANDE REGION SMALLER TOWNS HAVE STRUGGLED TO ADAPT TO POPULATION INCREASES AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC elements of the project while still providing the viewer STABILITY OJINAGA & PRESIDIO DEL RIO & ACUNA LAJITAS BOQUILLAS

OJINAGA & PRESIDIO BOQUILLAS a sense of the overall scope and scale of the project. LAREDO LAJITAS

BROWNSVILLE & MATAMOROS CURRENT BORDER FENCING HAS REROUTED MIGRATION FLOWS TO THE RIO GRANDE THIRD FLOOR PLAN

SISTER CITIES CURRENT FENCING ALONG THE BORDER

SAN DIEGO - TUSCON REGION EL PASO REGION RIO GRANDE REGION 58K 70K 176K

600

400 FACTORY AND CANTILEVER 200 OJINAGA & PRESIDIO 600 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 OJINAGA FROM JESUS OF NAZARETH CHURCH SAN DIEGO 400 200

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 RIO GRANDE

CURRENT IMMIGRATION TRENDS PRESIDIO WATER TOWER

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

BIG BEND RAIL CONNECTION

OJINAGA - PRESIDIO AUTO BRIDGE

VEHICLE BRIDGE CROSSING

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAILROAD

LA ESTACION OJINAGA

PUBLIC CROSSING PUBLIC CROSSING WORK WORK WORK

CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL

RIO GRANDE

OJINAGA AND PRESIDIO CONTEXT PLAN THE PROJECT INTEGRATES WITH THE SOUTH ORIENTAL OPEN UP DIVISIVE WALL LIFT THICKEND / OCCUPIABLE LIFT THICKEND / OCCUPIABLE CREATE NEW PUBLIC BRIDGE OVER RIVER RAILROAD CREATING THE ‘BIG BEND RAIL CONNECTION’. CONDITION SPACE SPACE CROSSING

INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE

THE PRESIDIO AND OJINAGA BORDER CHECK- POINTS ARE SEPARATED BY A “NO BUILD ZONE”

FIRST FLOOR PLAN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CROSSING 1’ = 1/96”

OJINAGA PORT OF ENTRY

PRESIDIO PORT OF ENTRY

PRESIDIO PORT OF ENTRY UNITED STATES ELEVATION 1’ = 1/64”

INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE

SITE PLAN OJINAGA PORT OF ENTRY LONG SECTION 1’ = 1/16” MEXICO ELEVATION 1’ = 1/64”

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAIL ROAD CONNEC-

PUBLIC CROSSING

WORK/AUTO CIRCULATION IF A WALL IS BUILT ALONG THE RIVER PRE- SIDIO WILL BE CUT OFF FROM OJINAGA

PRIVATE FARM LAND WILL HAVE TO BE PURCHASED TO BUILD PORTIONS OF THE WALL

IF CONNECTION IS PRESERVED THE WALL WOULD HAVE TO BE BUILT AROUND THE TOWN THE PROJECT ATTACHES ITSELF AND BUILDS UPON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

THIS STRATEGY WOULD ISOLATE PRESIDIO FROM THE US AND WOULD NEED A SECOND CHECKPOINT NORTH OF TOWN LONG SECTION SITE CIRCULATION DIAGRAM WALL BUILDING STRATEGIES 1’ = 1/16” BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 57

BORDERS AND BOUNDARIES Re-thinking the Development of the US - Mexico Border PATRICK ALAN SAUCEDO

STATEMENT The US – Mexico Border is viewed as a line in the sand separating the two independent nations. In actuality it is a thickened zone between two boundary lines. This thesis will investigate the redevelopment of this intermediary zone by introducing a new architectural armature, for those seeking to cross this threshold. The project will attempt to solve the issues either ignored or exacerbated by the two countries, creating an idealized community produced by, but independent of the failures of the current dynamics of the region.

SECURE FENCE ACT (2006)

MILES OF BORDER FENCING

700 CURRENT BARRIER 600 500 RIO GRANDE 400 300 200 SAN YSIDRO & TIJUANA YUMA & SAN LUIS 100 0 1996 2006 2013

NOGALES EL PASO

WITH MIGRATION INCREASING IN THE RIO GRANDE REGION SMALLER TOWNS HAVE STRUGGLED TO ADAPT TO POPULATION INCREASES AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC STABILITY OJINAGA & PRESIDIO DEL RIO & ACUNA LAJITAS BOQUILLAS

OJINAGA & PRESIDIO BOQUILLAS LAREDO LAJITAS

BROWNSVILLE & MATAMOROS CURRENT BORDER FENCING HAS REROUTED MIGRATION FLOWS TO THE RIO GRANDE THIRD FLOOR PLAN

SISTER CITIES CURRENT FENCING ALONG THE BORDER

SAN DIEGO - TUSCON REGION EL PASO REGION RIO GRANDE REGION 58K 70K 176K

600

400 FACTORY AND CANTILEVER 200 OJINAGA & PRESIDIO 600 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 OJINAGA FROM JESUS OF NAZARETH CHURCH SAN DIEGO 400 200

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 RIO GRANDE

CURRENT IMMIGRATION TRENDS PRESIDIO WATER TOWER

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

BIG BEND RAIL CONNECTION

OJINAGA - PRESIDIO AUTO BRIDGE

VEHICLE BRIDGE CROSSING

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAILROAD

LA ESTACION OJINAGA

PUBLIC CROSSING PUBLIC CROSSING WORK WORK WORK

CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL CONNECTION RAIL

RIO GRANDE

INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE

THE PRESIDIO AND OJINAGA BORDER CHECK- POINTS ARE SEPARATED BY A “NO BUILD ZONE”

FIRST FLOOR PLAN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CROSSING 1’ = 1/96”

OJINAGA PORT OF ENTRY

PRESIDIO PORT OF ENTRY

PRESIDIO PORT OF ENTRY UNITED STATES ELEVATION 1’ = 1/64”

INTERMEDIARY “NO BUILD” ZONE

SITE PLAN OJINAGA PORT OF ENTRY LONG SECTION 1’ = 1/16” MEXICO ELEVATION 1’ = 1/64”

SOUTH ORIENTAL RAIL ROAD CONNEC-

PUBLIC CROSSING

WORK/AUTO CIRCULATION IF A WALL IS BUILT ALONG THE RIVER PRE- SIDIO WILL BE CUT OFF FROM OJINAGA

PRIVATE FARM LAND WILL HAVE TO BE PURCHASED TO BUILD PORTIONS OF THE WALL

IF CONNECTION IS PRESERVED THE WALL WOULD HAVE TO BE BUILT AROUND THE TOWN THE PROJECT ATTACHES ITSELF AND BUILDS UPON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

THIS STRATEGY WOULD ISOLATE PRESIDIO FROM THE US AND WOULD NEED A SECOND CHECKPOINT NORTH OF TOWN LONG SECTION SITE CIRCULATION DIAGRAM WALL BUILDING STRATEGIES 1’ = 1/16” Final Board Layout 58 BORDERS & BOUNDARIES 59 60