UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Date: 5-Apr-2010 I, Brian J. Szymanski , hereby submit this original work as part of the requirements for the degree of: Master of Architecture in Architecture (Master of) It is entitled: Can Place Be Created? Cultivating Sense of Place in New Developments Within Existing Urban Contexts Student Signature: Brian J. Szymanski This work and its defense approved by: Committee Chair: George Bible, MCiv.Eng George Bible, MCiv.Eng Patricia Kucker, MARCH Patricia Kucker, MARCH 6/18/2010 706 Can Place be Created? Cultivating Sense of Place in New Developments Within Existing Urban Contexts A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture – School of Architecture and Interior Design Spring 2010 By Brian Szymanski Bachelor of Science in Architecture University of Maryland - College Park, Maryland - 2007 Thesis Committee: Tom Bible (School of Architecture) Menelaos Triantafillou (School of Planning) Patricia Kucker (School of Architecture) Abstract Developer driven new construction often relates little to its context, and the needs and wants of the community in which it is located. In the last few decades we have seen developers market new projects as creating a sense of place without fully understanding the meaning and complexity of the term, which is especially unfortunate in large scale new developments built in existing communities. This thesis will analyze what sense of place is and will question whether sense of place is something that can be created by a design intervention. In addition, it will try to determine how a designer or planner can facilitate sense of place and allow it to emerge in newly created urban developments in existing cities. Through analysis of literature on sense of place and the study of communities with a strong sense of place, it is clear that sense of place involves three important elements. Strong places allow for a clear sense of the place, or a feeling of being in differentiated space and a feeling of spatial orientation and understanding. They also allow for a connection to and understanding of the spirit of the place; the unique qualities that make up the soul of the place or its genius loci. Furthermore, sense of place involves an attachment to the place, or a subjective perception of and personal connection to a place based on personal experiences in the place. An analysis of the many elements that impact the cultivation of sense of place will be studied through the design of a new mixed use development in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. By understanding what sense of place is and the factors that contribute to it, it is possible to suggest ways in which designers can facilitate a stronger sense of place in the design of newly established urban settings. Abstract Acknowledgements I would first like to thank the members of my thesis committee, Tom Bible, Menelaos Triantafillou, and Patricia Kucker for their help and guidance with my research. You have always filled me with new ideas and confidence in myself. Your guidance helped make this thesis an extremely satisfying experience. It was a pleasure working with you during this process. I must also thank my other professors at the University of Cincinnati. In specific, I would like to thank Mahyar Arefi who had a profound influence on my interests in the specific topic of sense of place and urban placemaking. His teachings gave me a strong foundation on many of the topics explored in this thesis and has inspired me to further explore these topics throughout my career. In addition, I would like to thank my professors at the University of Maryland. Most of all, I would like to thank Karl Du Puy. His teachings sparked my original interest in urban design and urban issues and have shaped my education and future career in a profound way. He too has helped fill me with great self confidence. Without these two professors, I would have never pursued this area of research and future career focus, and for that I am forever grateful. I must also thank the many people I have worked with in my professional career thus far for giving me a chance and teaching me so much. I would like to thank Ron Searles of RC Searles Associates, David Haresign and Bill Bonstra of Bonstra Haresign Architects, and Andrea Leers, Jane Weinzapfel, and Tom Chung of Leers Weinzapfel Associates. In addition, I would like to thank the many people at HKS, Inc., including Mike Nicolaus, Dana Hunter, and Steve Fotiu for their willingness to help me explore ideas in the early stages of my thesis research. I must thank my friends and studio companions for their help with my thesis, and for making my time here an enjoyable and memorable experience. Finally I must thank my parents Mitch and Carla Szymanski for their unconditional love and support, and for helping me become Acknowledgements the person I am today. Table of Contents I. Introduction to Issues of Place 1 II. Research Question 7 1. What is Sense of Place? 8 2. A sense of the place 11 2.1. Spatial Definition & Differentiation 13 2.1.1. Edge and Boundary 14 2.1.2. Entrances and Exits 15 2.1.3. Enclosure 16 2.1.4. Naming 17 2.2. Orientation & Way finding 18 2.2.1. Image Clarity 19 2.2.2. Physical Connections 21 2.2.3. Visual Connections 22 2.2.4. Hierarchy 22 2.2.5. Signage 23 2.3. Experience and Perception Skills 24 3. Spirit of the place 26 3.1. Natural Elements 29 3.1.1. Landscape Connection 30 3.1.2. Climatic Connection 32 3.2. Cultural Expressions 33 3.2.1. Visual Character 34 3.2.2. Cultural Activities & Uses 40 3.2.3. Symbolism and Meaning 41 3.2.4. History and Development 42 3.3. Sensory Experiences 44 3.3.1. Taste & Smell 45 3.3.2. Hearing 46 Table ofTable Contents 3.3.3. Touch 48 3.3.4. Visual Delight 49 4. Attachment to the place 50 4.1. Personal Satisfaction 53 4.1.1. Personal Identity 53 4.1.2. Memory 56 4.1.3. Control & Power 59 4.1.4. Growth 63 4.1.5. Intellectual Stimulation 65 4.2. Social Satisfaction 66 4.2.1. Community Interaction 66 4.2.2. Equity and Diversity 70 4.3. Comfort & Image 71 4.3.1. Economic Success and Activity 72 4.3.2. Safety 75 4.3.3. Care 77 4.3.4. Comfortable Spaces 78 5. Process 81 6. Conclusions 86 7. Can Place Be Created? 88 8. Worcester Massachusetts 91 8.1. Site Research 92 8.2. Site Analysis 102 8.3. Community Research 105 9. Proposed Intervention 116 9.1. Local Community Oriented Space 127 9.2. Regional Activity Oriented Space 129 9.3. Conclusions 138 Table ofTable Contents 10. Bibliography 140 11. Appendix 149 11.1. Precedent Analysis 149 11.1.1. Hismen Hin-Nu Terrace – Oakland, CA 149 11.1.2. Faneuil Hall Marketplace – Boston Massachusetts 153 11.1.3. Prudential Center – Boston, Massachusetts 158 11.1.4. Heritage on the Garden – Boston, Massachusetts 160 11.1.5. Fruitvale Village – Oakland, California 161 11.1.6. Belmar - Lakewood, Colorado 164 Table ofTable Contents Fig. I.1 - St. Charles Place I. Introduction to Issues of Place In the last few decades we have seen who use it. These types of developments developers market projects as creating a sense that attempt to create a sense of place solely of place without fully understanding the through physical design elements often relate meaning and complexity of the term. All too little to their physical or historical context, often, it is thought that the physical creation and the needs and wants of the community in of space, with particular aesthetics or spatial which they are located. [http://creekbridgehomes.com] qualities will immediately create the feeling Growing movements such as The of a sense of place. In many instances, the New Urbanism stress the importance of Fig. I.2 - Windemere - San Ramone, term “‘sense of place’ is…touted to flaunt the 7 OLIVETA by Centex Homes 2 HAWTHORNE by Brookfield Homes community and a sense of place. Yet projects cosmetic charms of a new development slapped created under the name of New Urbanism 7 up with an instant picturesquenss of pasteled 4 PALOMA by Lennar Homes 2 PICCADILLY 4 SQUARE are often criticized for focusing only on the and plastered sheet rock” (Fleming 2007, 1 CAMPTON by Brookfield Homes aesthetic and formal characteristics of a place 1 14). According to www.creekbridgehomes. I V Y 6 FIOLI by Centex Homes H I L L and resorting to historic architecture styles W A 6 Y PERMANENT OPEN SPACE com at St. Charles Place, a newly constructed DOUGHERTY VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL that create seemingly inauthentic places. The JOINT-USE PARK D I O N R A L B community in California, “you will discover a B O L VENTURE L I SCHOOL N G E R C HIDDEN suggestions of New Urbanists are not unique, A VALLEY N Y BELLINGHAM PARK O N SQUARE neighborhood with a sense of place” simply R HIDDEN HILLS D ELEMENTARY INFO SCHOOL CENTER SOUYEN M E R E I N D E P A R K W A Y JOINT-USE but are consistent with other authors who PARK W FIRE PARK STATION due to its “old-fashioned” architecture and W I N D E M E R E P A R EAST K W BRANCH A Y PARK discuss the physical form of cities such as LIMERICK planning.