West Ashley Gateway

REPORT TO THE CITY OF CHARLESTON Submitted 02.08.18

ARCH 3520/8570: Urban Architecture F17 DocumentProject 12 Prof. Ray Huff WEST ASHLEY GATEWAY 1 Graduate Student: Julian Owens 1.0 BACKGROUND 2 Undergraduate Team 1: Ryan BrownLike and Andrew cities Ramsey thoughout America, Charleston has metamorphosed from a small 3 Graduate Student: Vishnu Sreenathpeninsula city separated by two great waterways, Cooper and Ashley Rivers, from 4 Undergraduate Team 2: Nick Bilgri,outlying Rachel Smoak areas, and to Shane a regional Lenard urban center and economic hub with many of the 5 Undergraduate Team 3: Amber Thompsonattendant and Arthur development Southern patterns that characterizes much of the nation’s urban 6 Undergraduate Team 4: Michael Horanregions. and Michael King 7 Graduate Student: Atika Jain The settlement of Charles Twone was founded in 1670. Development of the city since that time can be characterized by three major epochs: Pre-Civil War, Post- Studio Charge Civil War and Americanization, then and now. It is the later metamorphoses that + Assessment of Existing Conditions + Develop Base Documentation will interest this studio. As a peninsula city, urban development was constrained + Research historical and current impacts by water boundaries in addition to defensive, social, cultural and political forces. + Preparation of Program Narrative The city grew into a major economic power during the Colonial and Pre-Civil + Analysis of Project Issues/Opportunities War periods resulting in an extraordinary urban topological form that has largely + Articulation of Key Design Principles retained this historic structure | fabric to this day. However, outlying areas such as + Preparation of Series of Conceptual Design Proposals West Ashley and James Island developed as suburban typologies in the 50’, 60’s and 70’s replete with early subdivisions, strip commercial, malls, car dealerships and major roadways.

However today, even this development typologies has become dated and the spoils of an auto-focused model has come to be recognized as counter to more urban-centric models. The vagaries of suburban sprawl and commercial strips “How can architecture be critically deployed as an instrument in the network of human flows, cultural and commercial exchanges, public space, and urban life? How can architecture spatialize this cultural context and confront the restructuring of social and cultural values brought on by the evermore-uncertain status and identity of what it means to be human?” - Mario Gooden, Huff+Gooden Architects

are now recognized as being largely anathema to healthy livable environments. A comprehensive planning study is underway by Dover Kohl, a Florida-based planning firm. This area known as the West Ashley Results of their planning work will be formally introduced to the community in early fall. A number of major initiatives are expected to come out of this study that is hoped to transform or re- make development patterns in and about the West Ashley district.

Of particular interest to Studio U will be a key site, affectionately known as the “Pig Site”, that forms a “gateway” to West Ashley. The site is located at the confluence of Old Towne Road, Sam Rittenberg Blvd., and nearby Sumar Street. Formerly a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, the site was acquired by the city to be redeveloped in support of the West Ashley Plan initiative for a major “Gateway” opportunity. Our charge will be to examine various urban design options for the site concluding with

1 08.23.17 0PRESENTATION OVERVIEW 2

1Introduction to West Ashley Plan & Studio Charge 2West Ashley Plan Objectives 3Site Issues / Opportunities / Strategies 4Conceptual Urban Strategies 5Civic Center Conceptual Design Proposals 1Introduction to West Ashley Plan and Studio Charge 1INTRODUCTION TO WEST ASHLEY PLAN / STUDIO CHARGE 4 Summary

1.0 BACKGROUND Like cities throughout America, Charleston has metamorphosed from a small peninsula city separated by two great waterways, Cooper and Ashley Rivers, from outlying areas, to a regional urban center and economic hub with many of the attendant development patterns that characterizes many of the nation’s urban regions.

The settlement of Charles Towne was founded in 1670. Development of the city since that time can be characterized by three major epochs: Pre- Civil War, Post-Civil War and Americanization, then and now. It is the later metamorphoses that will interest this studio. As a peninsula city, urban development was constrained by water boundaries in addition to defensive, social, cultural and political forces. The city grew into a major economic power during the Colonial and Pre-Civil War periods resulting in an extraordinary urban topological form that has largely retained this historic structure | fabric to this day. However, outlying areas such as West Ashley and James Island developed as suburban typologies in the 50’, 60’s and 70’s replete with early subdivisions, strip commercial, malls, car dealerships and major roadways.

However today, even these development typologies have become dated and the spoils of an auto-focused model has come to be recognized as counter to more urban-centric models. The vagaries of suburban sprawl and commercial strips are now understood to be largely anathema to healthy livable environments. A comprehensive planning study of West Ashley suburb is underway by Dover Kohl, a Florida-based planning firm. Results of their planning work will be formally introduced to the community in early fall. A number of major initiatives are expected to come out of this study that is hoped to transform or re-make development patterns in and about the West Ashley district.

Of particular interest to Studio U is a key site, affectionately known as the “Pig Site”, that forms a “gateway” to West Ashley. The site is located at the confluence of Old Towne Road, Sam Rittenberg Blvd., and nearby Sumar Street. Formerly a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, the site was acquired by the city for redevelopment in support of the West Ashley Plan initiative for a major “Gateway” opportunity. Our charge will be to examine various urban design options for the site concluding with development of an architectural proposal for a civic use at the site. This particular site is important as it is a natural “gateway” to West Ashley from I-26. The study site is contiguous with a 60’s shopping center that is undergoing some renovation. A grocery formally occupied the site but closed and the site has not been redeveloped. Initial attempts to purchase and redevelop the site as a gas station met with considerable community opposition. The city eventually purchased the site with the intention of developing it in the public interest.

During West Ashley planning meetings with the community, a range of possible uses were suggested. We’ll explore some of the proposed uses but our intent is to develop the site as a “civic” use.

The studio will undertake a comprehensive assessment and develop conceptual proposal(s) for the target site to determine the following: ++ Current issues and liabilities of the site ++ Opportunities for redevelopment of the site based on community input ++ Develop architectural proposals for a civic re-use 1INTRODUCTION TO WEST ASHLEY PLAN / STUDIO CHARGE 5 From Dover Kohl Partners draft “Plan West Ashley”: 1WESTINTRODUCTION ASHLEY PLAN TO WEST ASHLEY PLAN / STUDIO CHARGE 6 From Dover Kohl Partners draft “Plan West Ashley”: “A primary purpose of the Plan for West Ashley is to direct the growth and maximize prosperity and other benefits while minimizing the negative impacts of any remaining future development.”

West Ashley should strive to reflect the very best balance of livability, effi- ciency, environmental stewardship, sensible transportation, prudent regula- tion, and private property rights. DRAFT PLAN WEST ASHLEY PLAN WEST ASHLEY

Source: Plan West Ashley (draft - 12/5/17)

Photo captured by Adrienne Evans SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 • CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 1INTRODUCTION TO WEST ASHLEY PLAN / STUDIO CHARGE 7 West Ashley Plan Guiding Objectives

UPGRADED Community Design & Land Use: grow in the right places, in the right ways; preserve neighborhood character;• preservefocus neighborhood character new development in clear, identified areas; enhance community brand and• identifocus- new development in identified areas ty; reuse vacant commercial sites, and improve the character of those sites; shorten trips with new work, entertainment, and recreation destinations; provide better infrastructure to support the growing population

CONNECTED Transportation: • connected to transportation networks connect West Ashl ey t o t he wi der r egi on, and connect t he nei ghbor hoods wi t hi n West Ashley; provide vehicular capacity and safety improvements in targeted• improve vehicular safety locations; provide better pedestrian and bike safety; expand the bikeway and the greenway; invest in transit enhancements and upgrades; create more efficient connect i ons acr oss t he Ashl ey Ri ver • focus on resilience RESILIENT Infrastructure & Sustainability:• maintain existing green and augment create a path towards building resilience; grow within lower-risk areas, decrease• improve drainage overall impervious area; address drainage and prioritize maintenance; keep natural areas natural; grow and connect the green network

AFFORDABLE Housing: • maintain “affordability” maintain affordability; add more housing options, while maintaining the community’s character; provide parks, natural open space, and community• retain community character facilities

FOCUSED Economic Development: • attract job creators attract more jobs to West Ashley; transform the Citadel Mall into a mixed-use center; recruit and support small and local businesses; add more recreational,• improve cultural, recreational, and civic cultural, and civic facilities to the area; refresh existing shopping centers; establishopportunities smal l -scal e communi t y shoppi ng west of I -526

Source: Plan West Ashley (draft - 12/5/17) 1.5 1INTRODUCTION TO WEST ASHLEY PLAN / STUDIO CHARGE 8 Studio Charge Phase 1 - Urban Redevelopment Scenarios: To conceptualize redevelopment of a key Focus site that will assist in transforming West Ashley from a suburban typology to a more robust tran- sitional urbanized typology based on the general recommendations of the West Ashley Plan.

Phase 2 - Development of Piggly Wiggly Site: Prepare a series of conceptual strategies for a new civic performance ven- ue on the Piggly Wiggly site. 2West Ashley Plan Objectives 2WEST ASHLEY PLAN OBJECTIVES 10 Urbanizing a Suburban Typology “West Ashley’s community character and identity is weakened by vacant strip malls, generic and aging shopping centers, and lack of identity at entryways.” SUBURBAN Condition: • Lack of connectivity • High void to solid • Auto focused • Disconnection • Light density • Too few "centers" • Disassociations • Displacement

West Ashley 1 : 160

URBAN Condition: • Interconnectivity • High solid to void • Multi-modal • Higher density • Series of "centers" • Scaled • Pedestrian

Downtown Charleston 2WEST ASHLEY PLAN OBJECTIVES 11 Regional Focus Areas Vision is to make strategic interventions in focused areas • Focus on commercial corridors suitable for future development • Vision identifies where changes to achieve these objectives can be focused

“There is an opportunity for the West Ashley Plan vision to guide interventions in an focus area.”

Source: Plan West Ashley (draft - 12/5/17) 2WEST ASHLEY PLAN OBJECTIVES 12 Regional Focus Areas “Areas highlighted in orange and blue below are designated for priority focus using “grow” and “adapt”scenarios due to their elevation, proximity to transportation connections, and environmental suitabili- ty.”

“The adoption of design standards, particularly for sites at West Ashley’s entryways, can also enhance community identity. The urban design of these critical, highly-visible, potentially iconic par- cels will set the tone for the rest of West Ashley.”

“Place specific regulations should be established in priority areas for growth and/or preservation, so all the buildings belong togeth- er in an ensemble, while still allowing for creative architectural expression and variety.” 3Site Issues / Objectives / Strategies 3SITE ASSESSMENTS / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 14 Studio Focus Area at Northernmost Access to West Ashley

North 3SITE ASSESSMENTS / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 15 Study Area Site: Including Ashley Landing Shopping Center

North 3SITE ASSESSMENTS / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 16 Target Area Site: Former Piggly Wiggly Site

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 17 Study Site Area Issues • Typical suburban site issues ++ West Ashley developed as a suburban typology typical America settlement patterns with associated issues of that typology

• Lack of urban identity ++ Poor pedestrian options; buildings don’t reinforce public realm; buildings as “objects in a field” most prevalent; lack of hierarchy; poorly defined public realm

• Poor Gateway ++ Confluence of major roadways present significant opportunity for a gateway experience to “enter” the West Ashley district

• Disconnected ++ Study area separated from adjacencies making access other than by auto difficult; commercial uses are not “neighborhood centric”; existing building do attempt to relate to context other than commercial uses

• Poor existing site utilization ++ Surface parking relationship to building massing partial to auto-centric mix; less dense; uses spread out over site 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 18 Site Area and Target Site Issues • Site scale ++ Poor density exasperated by surface parking located in forefront of building development

• Site form ++ Study area site is triangular bounded by arterials making access difficult; challenges to make cohesive urban building forms

• “Suicide merge” condition at North end ++ Dover Kohl study proposes workable strategies for remedy- ing this challenge

• Subject to future flooding ++ Despite site area base elevation being above minimal flood-prone levels,, future considerations of elevating water levels need to be considered 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 19 Site Context • Site contiguous with residential development at western end • Eastern portion of site adjacent to strip commercial

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 20 Disassociated Site • Two high-speed, high volume roadways isolates Focus Area • Creates an “island affect”

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 21 Site Utilization and Urban Wall Relationship of parking to building poor. Minimum building edge at roadways fails to create an urban wall. Typical of suburban commercial strip development.

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 22 Site Access • Vehicular: Multiple access disorganized and non-hierarchical • Pedestrian: Street crossing sans Charlestowne pedestrian unsafe

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 23 Contiguous Commercial • Eastern end of Target Site contiguous with existing commercial • Explore opportunity for linking pedestrian access at key locations

North 3SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 24 Flooding Trend • Site is situated just outside the flood zone • Increased rainfall or higher sea levels expected

Original drawings retreived from FEMA, National Flood Insurance Rate Map, map number 45019C0503J 4Conceptual Urban Strategies 4CONCEPTUAL URBAN STRATEGIES 26 Four Conceptual Approaches • Studio developed 4 conceptual strategies in response to goals of West Ashley Plan • Each strategy explores distinctive approaches to redeveloping this critical focus area

TREE CANOPY

RETAIL PLAZA

CHILDREN PARK

RECREATIONAL/ ACTIVE GREEN

CAFETERIA SPILL OUT

Pedestrian Friendly Densification

Public Green Elevated 4Pedestrian Friendly 27 4Elevated Site 28 4Elevated Site 29 4Elevated Site 30 4Elevated Site 31 4Elevated Site 32 4Elevated Site 33 4Elevated Site 34 4Public Green 35 4Public Green 36 4Public Green 37 4Public Green 38 4Public Green 39 4Public Green 40 4Public Green 41 Flooding

Connectivity

Accessible Housing

Cost

Sustainability

Identity

Parking 4Public Green 42 Flooding

Connectivity

Accessible Housing

Cost

Sustainability

Identity

Parking 4Densification 43 4Densification 44 Densification : Creating an Identity

Vertical Massing Around West Ashley 4Densification 45 Horizontal vs Vertical Massing

Standard Model of Densification Proposed Model of Densification

https://placesjournal.org/article/building-hyperdensity-and-civic-delight/ Densification 46 4Choosing an Axis

Edging with the green Dividing the site - Creating Pathways 4Densification 47 4Densification 48 4Densification 49

Section B

Section A 4Densification 50 4Densification 51 4Densification 52 Density

Pedestrian Friendly

Continuous Activation

Identity

Cost

Island Effect 4Densification 53 Density

Pedestrian Friendly

Continuous Activation

Identity

Cost

Island Effect 4Pedestrian Friendly 54 Pedestrian Friendly 55 4Existing Traffic Main Roads

Promenade Grid Adjustments

Charleston West Ashley Final Layout Pedestrian Friendly 56 Current Intersection Renovation 4 Pros: -More cost effective -Allows for faster speeds -Reduces congestion -Decreased construction time -No large road closures -Easier to pass through SCDOT -Less conflict points -Locals are used to navigating

Cons: -Connectivity of surrounding buildings -Overpass may be obstructive -Northbound can’t turn Southbound -Retains current notions

West Ashley Plan Concept T-Intersection Pros: -Pedestrian crossing point -Smaller footprint -Fixes negative notions of the area -Easier to navigate -Allows traffic to go all directions

Cons: -Cost -Construction Time -Major road closures -Necessity questionable -Light cycling and congestion 4Pedestrian Friendly 57 4Pedestrian Friendly 58 4Pedestrian Friendly 59 5Civic Center Proposals at Piggly Wiggly Site 5SITE ASSESSMENTS / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 61 Focus Area including Piggly Wiggly Site 5SITE ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES/ STRATEGIES 62 Piggly Wiggly Site Opportunities

• City’s control of key focal site • Key West Ashley Plan’s “Focus Area” From Old Towne Rd • Critical “entry” point to West Ashley • Potential for civic use(s) • Mixed use including residential From Ritternburg • Improved intersection at Rittenburg/Old Towne • Exploitation of Sumar Street opportunities • Currently underdeveloped From Cosgrove Side • Regionally accessible • Connect adjacent commercial zones • Improve site scale and form

To Sumar St 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 63 Piggly Wiggly Site (Target Site): Existing former Piggly Wiggly store to be razed 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 64 Conversion of Sumar St to Shared Street • Better access to Piggly Wiggly site and development along Sumar • Facilitate movement between Ashley Landing and site • Convertible to community events

Sumar becomes a shared street

: 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 65 Basic Site Development Strategies

Standalone Building as Object Civic Building in a Mixed Use Setting 5CONCEPTUAL PROGRAM: CIVIC CENTER 66 New Performing Arts Center to Include: • Performance Hall seating 450 plus 75 in choir loft • Types of performances to include music, dance, theater, and pre- sentations • Total program area approximately 20,000 sf • Meeting rooms for community programming • Exterior performance space • Additional uses including commercial, residential, or others as ap-

THEATER SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM propriate to the design approach 10/20.17

Theater Manager

Opposite Wing

Soundlock Balcony Above Chorus Dressing

Cloak Rm Cry Rm Entry

Star Dressing Rms

Box Ofiice Control Above Stage Lobby Auditorium Pit Stage Back Stage Manager

Green Room

Entry Concessions Concessions Storage

Chorus Dressing

Soundlock Balcony Above Prompt Wing

Toilet Toilet

NOTES:

1 Not all relationships are identified with 2 Relationship diagram is just that, an idealized diagram; specific design approaches will modify the relationships accordingly 3 Several functional spaces are not identified as these are quite variable 4 Balcony arrangement can be modified as required 5 Stairs, hallways, elevators, etc. are not shown or indicated 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 67

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

CommunityGreen

The Ashley Landing site is a natural island: it lays between the exhaustive traffic of Sam Rittenburg and Old Towne Roads. Expansively paved, the site is a prime opportunity to reduce the amount of wasted space in West Ashley. Upon surveying and working with the local community, The West Ashley Plan conveys the community needs for more walkable environments, civic spaces, and programmed greenspace.

Taking this into consideration, we noticed that the culmination of both arterial roads creates a natural vertex just beyond the abandoned Piggly Wiggly site. This makes it an optimal location for some sort of iconic structure, monument, or civic space. Given this, we decided to layout the rest of Ashley Landing in an attempt to culminate its energy at the abandoned Piggly Wiggly site.

Utilizing greenspace, we created a variety of both intimate and very public greenspaces along a green spine cutting through the site. From this, we created a radial, urban grid to promote pedestrian traffic towards our target site.

URBAN PLAN 1 : 150

STUDY SITE

TARGET SITE

SITE FOCUS GREEN AXIS RADIAL GRID URBAN GREENSAPCE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 68

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

2018 PHASE 1 2022 PHASE 2

2030 PHASE 3 2040 PHASE 4 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 69

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

vitrine

“a glass showcase or cabinet especially for displaying fine wares or specimens”

Ashley Landing has long been known as a major entryway to the West Ashley community. Sitting at the apex of two major arterial roads, the former Piggly Wiggly site has the opportunity to have an iconic presence, by virtue of its location at the intersection of Sam Rittenburg and Old Towne.

Our goal is to create a space that is a landmark in the West Ashley community, not only in its civic nature, but in its physical presence as well. This theatre will serve as a beacon to those traveling to West Ashley and give the site new life.

The structure will be an illuminated object, welcoming patrons. The long porch, connecting to the green spine, serves as a lookout to the outdoor spaces and gardens. Inside, the folds and creases of the theatre space isolate the performance from the bustle of the busy intersection. At the top, the folded form emerges from its glass display case; giving the site the iconic presence it deserves.

ENTRY CONCEPT FROM SAM RITTENBURG

LIGHT ENVELOPE PARTI 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 70

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

PLATE SKETCH 1 PLATE SKETCH 2 PLATE SKETCH 3

PLATE STUDY 1 PLATE STUDY 2 PLATE STUDY 3

STUDY MODEL : OBJECT WITHIN VITRINE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 71

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

TARGET SITE: 1:40

SITE SECTION: 1:40 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 72

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

FLOOR PLAN ONE 1:16

FLOOR PLAN TWO 1:16 FLOOR PLAN THREE 1:16 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 73

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION 1:8

LONGITUDINAL SECTION 1:8

TRANSVERSE ELEVATION 1:8 TRANSVERSE SECTION 1:8 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 74

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

PORCH APPROACH OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE SPACE PORCH

INTERIOR HALL PERFORMANCE SPACE LOBBY 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS: Eos 75

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos

Lyric Theatre, Belfast, NI

Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC

Charleston Piazza

Kursaal Auditorium, San Sebastian, ESP

Nelson - Atkins Museum, Kansas City, MO 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 76

West Ashley Gateway Bilgri, Lenard, Smoak The Eos 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 77

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performance Concept Narrative The design offers a space of an urban typology that is new to West Ashley. Situated on a site completely surrounded by heavy traffic, visitors of this space have the ability to get away from it all and enjoy the relaxing views this space has to offer, or even a performance. While it takes the user away from the suburban rush, it still allows viewers from the outside to get a glimpse of the daily get down occuring on the site.

Architectural Scale

Threshold

Urban Scale

Urban Wall 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 78

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performance

Site Geometry

Cohesion

New Structure

Pedestrian Pathway

Green Space

Roadway

Existing Building 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 79

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performace

1 2

1. CIVIC

2. RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL/ PARKING

TARGET SITE GROUND PLAN TARGET SITE MASTER PLAN 3. RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL 1”=40’ 1”=40’

COMMERCIAL VERTICAL CIRCULATION GREEN SPACE

PATHWAY

SITE SECTION 1”=20’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 80

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performance

FRAMING VIEWS WITHIN THE SITE AND AROUND IT

ELEVATED PLATFORM LEVEL ABOVE PLATFORM 1”=40’ 1”=40’

COMMERCIAL VERTICAL CIRCULATION GREEN SPACE PARKING STRUCTURE

RESIDENTIAL UNIT LOBBY SPACE PATHWAY

SUMAR STREET VIEW 81

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performance 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 82

West Ashley Gateway Julian Owens Elevated Performance

14 3 5

15 5

3 16

3 3 17 4 7

GROUND FLOOR 1ST FLOOR EXTERIOR EVENT SPACE 1”=20’ 1”=20’

KEY 1. MAIN ENTRANCE 2. BOX OFFICE 3. STORAGE 4. OFFICE 5 5. RESTROOM 6. LOBBY 13 8 13 7. CHOIR LOFT 8. SOUND/LIGHTING 5 BOOTH 9 9. CRY ROOM 10. PRINT/COPY ROOM 11. OFFICE 12. OUTDOOR SALON 13. SALON 10 14. OFFICE 15. MEN’S DRESSING 11 12 ROOM 16. WOMEN’S DRESSING ROOM 17. GREEN ROOM 2ND FLOOR 3RD FLOOR 18. LOADING/UNLOADING IINTERIOR EVENT SPACE 1”=20’ 1”=20’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 83

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

TARGET SITE PLAN 1” = 30’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 84

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

URBAN SITE PLAN 1” = 100’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 85

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

AUDITORIUM STAGE CHOIR LOFT

BUILDING SECTION 1” = 20’

AUDITORIUM VIGNETTE GATEWAY VIGNETTE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 86

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

“MONEY SHOT” RENDERING 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 87

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 88

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

101 Salon 102 Salon 103 Salon 104 General Storage 105 Restroom 106 Restroom 107 Electrical Closet 108 Building Storage 109 Elevator 110 Elevator Room 111 Fire Pump 112 IT 113 Electrical 114 Mechanical 115 Storage 116 Admin Restroom 117 Admin Assistant 118 Director's Office 119 Storage 120 Print/ Copy 122 Elevator 123 Elevator Room 124 Salon

122 123

120 121 124 119 118 UP

117

114 116

113

114

112

115 115

111

103 101 102

109

110

105 108

106

104 107 GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1” = 20’ 0’ ABOVE GRADE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 89

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

201 Storage 202 Wardrobe Storage 203 General Storage 204 Dressing Room Shower 205 Dressing Room 206 Star Dressing 207 Guest Waiting Room 208 Green Room 209 General Storage 210 Restroom 211 Restroom 212 Dressing Room Shower 213 Dressing Room 214 Star Dressing 215 Elevator 216 Break Room 217 Stage Manager Office 218 Prompt 219 Restroom 220 Restroom 221 Stage Storage 222 General Storage 223 Stage 224 Auditorium Seating 225 Concession & Concessions Storage 226 Box Office 227 Cloak Room 228 House Manager 229 Electrical Closet 230 Elevator

229 230

228 227

226

225

222

220 221 223

219 224

218

208

207 206 204 202 205 217 203 201 215 216 214 213 209 210 211 212 SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1” = 20’ 12’ ABOVE GRADE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 90

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

222

THIRD FLOOR PLAN 1” = 20’ 24’ ABOVE GRADE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 91

West Ashley Gateway Andrew Ramsey and Ryan Brown Conceptual Development

Overall Building SYNCOPATION Auditorium Space Prep. Spaces Meeting/ Office An unexpected interruption in the regular downbeat rhythm Space by stressing the normally unaccented beats.

Lobby/ Waiting NARRATIVE Location Humans naturally have an affinity for the elements of music such as repetition, rhythm, and dynamics. By designing a ROOM RATIO DIVISION building around the principals of music this affinity is pleased visually and creates an environment where they are fully immersed in the music that takes place there.

ORCHESTRA DIVISION CIRCLE OF FIFTHS CHORD TYPES 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 92

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S

“There is a powerful need for symbolism, and that means the architecture must have something that appeals to the human heart.”

-Kenzo Tange

CIVIC SPACE AS AN IDENTITY CIVIC BUILDING AS AN OBJECT CIVIC SPACE AS A PUBLIC SPACE 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 93

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S SCALE BUILDING AS AN OBJECT + LANDMARK

“SOME BUILDINGS ARE WHAT THEY ARE. OTH- BUILDING AS A BACKGROUND BUILDING AS A LANDMARK ER ARE ONLY WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE”

ROBERT VENTURI URBAN THRESHOLD BUILDING AS AN FRONTISPIECE

SITE DIAGRAM - MAIN ACCESS ROUTE SITE DIAGRAM - PUBLIC LOOP BUILDING AS A FRONTISPIECE THE EYE FILM MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM URBAN PLAZAS BUILDING AS AN PUBLIC SPACE

FLOATING BUILDING

1. PROTECTION FROM EXTREME WEATHER ALSOP SHARP CENTER CONDITIONS “Raising the building above the ground cre- 2. OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE ated a new outdoor public space, Butterfield 3. BETTER ACCESS Park, and also improved pedestrian circula- 4. MORE FLEXIBLE tion in the area.” 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 94

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 95

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 96

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 97

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S

ENTRANCE LOBBY AUDITORIUM SALON PROGRAM DIAGRAM 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 98

West Ashley Gateway ATIKA JAIN [M-ARCH] G E N E S I S 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 99

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse Project Charge: Design a civic use performance space that reinforces the intent of the West Ashley Plan while acting as a gateway for West Ashley.

Site: 43 Sumar St., Charleston, South Carolina

Goals: 1. Civic Building 2. Landmark/ Gateway Building 3. Densification of West Ashley Landing 4. Of the Time, of the Place, for the People

Conceptual Idea: The building is formed by the intersection of and opaque and Transparent volumes. The opaque volume envelopes the theater space whereas the transparent volume envelopes the public use “salons” and lobby gathering

areas. The transparent half of the building will act as a “lantern,” or “beacon” at Two masses intersect one another. . The two masses contain differing programmatic elements. night, signaling the entrance to West Ashley. Instead of a large dramatic mass, the gateway to West Ashley is developed thourgh an entrance sequence beginning with lamps, then water, then the civic theater and redevleoped West Ashley Landing.

Building as a Lantern The two masses share a solid-void relationship 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 100

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Massing Elements of Design Building Placement on Site Reciprocated Interior and Exterior Space

Set at head of Cube Site

Stage Noise pollution Seating Canopy at head of Site Lobby

Civic Buildings given central Theater Box Exterior Directionality prominence Glass Box

Move Civic building to center of site

Surround viewing from all directions

Charlestowne Landing 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 101

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Gateway for West Ashley: To achieve the goal of creating a meaningful Gateway into West Ashley, an entrance sequence shall be created beginning at the end of the Cosgrove Bridge and the beginning of Sam Rittenberg BLVD near Northbridge Park. A series of custom street lamps of the same architectural language as the civic-use theater reinforces the new sense of identity created by the civic theater while also enveloping its neighbors. The goal is to create a greater entrance sequence which acts as a gateway opposed to one large building, thus crafting a stronger sense of Place-Making.

Custom Street Lamps will speak to the material and Custom Street lamps will replace the existing lamps along the Major roadway entrance to West Ashley. architectural language of the civic-use theater. Corten, glass, and Louvers evoke the design of the theater

Area Devoted to Pedestrians on existing W. Ashley Landing Area Devoted to Vehicles on existing W. Ashley Landing Area Devoted to Vehicles 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 102

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Intent: The intent of the conceptual idea if to formulate a juxtaposition of materials and their respective characteristics and assign programmatic elements to these characteristics.

Front of House Concept: Theater Concept: -Open and Welcoming -Evocative of the history of Charles Towne Landing and West Ashley -Well-lit with natural daylighting -Surprising, fun, and different atmosphere from other local theaters -”High-tech” focus with suggestions of adaptability and modernity -Humility and honesty of material

Open, structural glass facade: Wood theater: Modern building materials with finely detailed, high The relatively simple theater materials and wooden finishes makes the lobby and front of house “of the seating, such as these seats, would surprise time.” patrons, as typically the theater is the most ornate part of a building.

Hardelot Theater Studio Andrew Todd Apple Store Stanford Bohlin Cynwinski Jackson, 2013 Finely-detailed glass stairs: Open, warm atmosphere with rustic materials: Glass stairs continue the high technical level of Warm, rustic materials such as wood and brick construction for the front of house. Stairs of this create a memorable and inviting space for caliber will serves as centerpieces for the building. performances.

Maltings Concert hall Arup Associates

Apple Store Osaka, Apple Covet Gardens Bohlin Cynwinski Jackson

Louvered, transparent roof: Corten: A transparent roof floods the interior of the lobby A material with an aged and rough quality. The with warm, natural light. A roof and ceiling treatment natural patina protects the material and will contrast such as this creates an soft quality of light, focusing nicely with the high finish of the front of house and a transition from outside to inside to theater. lobby.

Beyeler Foundation Renzo Piano Building Workshop 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 103

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Sam Rittenberg BLVD.

Old Town Rd.

N Urban Plan 1”:100’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 104

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

1 4

Target Site Plan 1”:40’ 1. Civic Theater 2. Mixed-Use Program Green Space Buildings 3. Parking Structure (future)

Walkways Paved 4. New Intersection between Old Town Rd. and Sam Rittenberg BLVD. 5. Outdoor Performance Space Water Brick Paving

Road Corten

Site Section 1”:40’ 1” = 40’ 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 105

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

6 1. Lobby 2. Box Office 3. Concessions 4. Salons a 7 b 5. Theater 6. Choir Loft c 7. Stage 8. Outdoor Stage c 9. Women’s Restroom 12 10. Men’s Restroom d 5 11. Brise Soleil Canopy e 4 12. Back of House a. Storage f b. AV Storage 9 10 c. Dressing Rooms d. Print/Copy Room e. Break Room 11 1 2

f. Director’s Office 8 21 3

First Floor Plan 1”:16’ Second Floor Plan 1”:16’ N N

Green-space Salons

Vehicular Space Auditorium

Green Space Buffer Back of House Section 1”:16’ Elevations 1”:32’ Lobby Diagrammatic Programmatic use of spaces 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 106

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Vignette sketch from Sam Rittenberg

Rendering of theater from Sam Rittenberg BLVD over water Pond in front of theater to be animated with LED’s and small fountains

Vignette sketch of facade Vignette sketch 5CONCEPTUAL CIVIC CENTER PROPOSALS 107

West Ashley Gateway Michael Horan, Michael King Urban Lighthouse

Render of Canopy

Detail of door wheel hinge

Service door mechanically opens with the easy turn of a wheel Exploded View of metal roof Louvers

Hidden Service door detail Vignette sketch under canopy with outdoor stage in use

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