provocationsuc

Provocations Urban Campuses 1

Provocations

Spring 2013

UrbanCampuses

Provocations Urban Campuses2

The planet currently is experiencing the fastest rate of urbanization human history has ever witnessed, placing the design profession at a critical crossroads. Globally, planners and designers are sculpting new developments, districts, and cities, creating new mega-regions that will influence how people experience the physical environment for generations. Technological advances in construction drive radical geometric forms, which starchitects pursue in search of their legacy. Are these forms negatively impacting the quality of urban space? While bringing a valuable ecological perspective, is landscape urbanism ignoring other opportunities for placemaking and interaction formed by architecture, streets, and an understanding of human ecology? Will the unique poetics of a place, driven by its social context and cultural traditions, be forever lost to a globalized approach where designers import repetitive ideas and formulaic solutions?

Provocations is a forum for sharing work that illustrates Sasaki’s philosophy that thoughtful design solutions are not conceived in isolation, but rather from a collaborative and open conversation about issues and ideas. We carefully have curated projects for their challenging context, rigorous analysis, and original design solutions. Singular ideas, empty forms, and patternmaking are replaced by solutions derived from a deep understanding of the complex social and environmental forces that mold the context of a place. In each example, population shifts, changing demographics, and expanding economies play a significant role in shaping the

Global Practiceissues. Cultural considerations, natural resources, and landscapes systems like hydrology and habitat inform big moves. Ultimately, bold ideas that consider multiple issues create a poetic expression that solves immediate needs while also providing flexibility for future adaptation.

Our hope is that the sharing of the work in this series will result in an even more engaged discussion and cross-pollination of ideas that will help to continually cultivate our practice.

THIS ISSUEIn the second issue of Provocations, “Urban Campuses,”


ABOUT SASAKISasaki is an international design firm that tackles complex projects with innovative solutions in a global context. Since the founding of the firm in 1953, we have worked around the world. In the last 60 years, the issues that we face have become even more challenging. Urbanization, transportation, climate change, habitat loss, and water resources are all global issues. Although each of our projects offer solutions that are site-specific, many of these ideas translate across regions and cultures. A solution we have for flood mitigation in Iowa, for example, can also be the basis for how we look at a riverfront in China. The ideas we offer are more significant than where we work.

Core Sasaki team members on projects featured in “Urban Campuses”

Sasaki Projects

Lulu IslandAbu Dhabi

PalavaIndia

KUSTARAbu Dhabi

SUTDSingapore

SamsongSouth Korea

Beijing Technology DistrictChina

SongzhuangChina

Thu ThiemVietnam

JinanChina

SuzhouChina

IstmoGuatemala

TechtownUSA

Moscow IFCRussia

Dead SeaJordan

Sasaki Shanghai

Sasaki Boston


Scales of Thinking


The selection of projects for Provocations not only represents the unique cultural contexts in which we

work, but also the broad range of scales.

While our design principles do not vary from one scale to another, scale becomes a critical

factor in how we research regional ecological and infrastructure systems; what mechanisms we utilize

to assess densities, open space, and development impact; and also what strategies we propose for

phasing and implementation.

Scales of Thinking


TechTown: Igniting

Innovation Detroit, USA

The new economy requires new modes of learning, researching, working, and generating ideas that cut across disciplines and facilitate the transfer of ideas from the classroom to the marketplace. These advances demand that institutions reconsider how they are organized and how they collaborate in the context of their physical environments. TechTown, a knowledge district in Midtown Detroit, is leading Detroit’s transition from an automotive to an innovation-based economy, and is anchored by three key institutions including Wayne State University (WSU), the College for Creative Studies (CCS), and the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS). Over the past several months, Midtown Detroit Inc. (MDI), along with its institutional partners, has facilitated a district planning process that builds upon the unique strengths of each institution, while creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

The district plan for TechTown provides a long term aspirational framework, with clearly defined catalytic projects that bolster economic development and support the ways people want to live, work, and learn in the future. The public realm emerges as the defining feature that accelerates this change. The character of TechTown itself is unique, featuring buildings that played an important role in the automotive innovations of a bygone era. Today, the district fosters new modes of innovation from alternative energy, to health care, to creative industries. In this manner, the district maintains its legacy as a birthplace for ideas.


Context

Downtown Detroit Creative and TechDetroit Creative CorridorMedical and Educational Anchors

Creative Production Anchors

Creative and Tech Firm Locations

Hubs of Entrepreneurial Activity and Influence

Advanced Manufacturing Anchors

Innovation Context


Midtown Detroit

Wayne State University

Downtown Detroit

Eastern Market

Henry Ford Hospital

New Center

Russell Industrial Center

Medical Center

Art Center

Woodw

ard Ave

TechTown

Grand Trunk Railroad


WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

LOD

GE H

WY

W GRAND AVE

I-94

RAIL

Three Anchor Institutions

TECHTOWN

Land Ownership Structure


Henry Ford Health System

College for Creative Studies

TECHTOWN

Institutional Anchors

The TechTown District Plan articulates an inspiring vision for the revitalization of TechTown, an emerging knowledge district in Midtown Detroit. The plan leverages the potential of three institutions that anchor the district – Wayne State University (WSU), College for Creative Studies (CCS), and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) – to create a dynamic hub for innovation, collaboration and production.

The purpose of the TechTown District Plan is to define an aspirational framework for the development of the district that accelerates innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and builds a community around the generation of ideas in a vibrant, mixed-use setting.

The goals for the plan are to:

- Leverage the potential of the institutional anchors - Enable institutions to expand their biotech and life science research agendas- Create an environment that fosters knowledge generation and innovation - Strengthen connections within Midtown Detroit and to surrounding neighborhoods - Repurpose the historic building stock with uses that support innovation - Create a vibrant urban neighborhood that meets institutional housing needs- Integrate sustainability strategies at multiple levels


MINIMAL INVESTMENT

INVESTING WITHIN

CCS MAIN CAMPUS

INVESTING WITHIN

INVESTING WITHIN

Internal Institutional Focus Collaborative Potential

While TechTown is centered among the three anchor institutions, they have yet to leverage the potential for collaboration within the district. Amenities to support a culture of innovation are currently lacking, and the district is characterized by a poor quality public realm.


Defining an Innovation District


A conventional mixed use district creates a good living and working environment but primarily relies on consumption. An Innovation District, primarily focuses on production by capitalizing on programmatice synergies and fostering collaboration.

At TechTown, mixed use programs form a strong underlay over which a host of components that foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas are overlaid to create a vibrant and distinct Innovation District.

Collaboration Components


TechTown Today

District Area Public Space

Surface Parking Developable Area

Current Site Conditions and Challenges

TechTown is a well established district within Mid-Town Detroit with active programs. However, the lack of a defined public realm and no public space together with a dominance of surface parking lots has created an internalised culture where people seldom leave their buildings. Lack of adequate lighting and poor connections also create a perception of the streets being unsafe and discourage walking. The district has virtually no places to eat / meet forcing people to drive or be confined to cafetarias within their buildings.


Lack of a ‘Heart’Lack of a Heart

The district contains a number of historic buildings well-suited for re-use

Adaptive Re-Use

The district currently lacks a strong center or heart where people can come together and collaborate


Parking Dominates

Parking Dominates

Safety

Poorly maintained underpasses, and inconsistent lighting contribute to unsafe perceptions of the district.

27% of the site is dominated by Surface Parking lots with chain link fences that discourage walking


There are few amenities to support the district - Amenities that exist are largely internal

Lack of Amenities

Blank Building walls define many streetscapes and discourage street activity

Blank Street Walls


Streets are foreboding and discourage walking. Within the 149 acres no defined public space exists

Undefined Public Realm

There is very limited housing in the district despite a strong demand for it

Lack of Housing


Create a new destination at the heart of the district that brings people out of their buildings and into the public realm.

A Heart for the District

Promote creative collisions and serendipitous encounters.

Collaborative Collisions

Enliven the district through active ground floor uses, inviting civic spaces, and a connected public realm.

Activate the Public Realm

Transform the built environment from places for cars to places for people.

Walkable Environment

Framework Principles


Introduce varied programs that encourage diverse activities 24/7

24/7 Activity

Experiment!Position TechTown as a canvas for experimentation and innovation, both indoors and outdoors.


HFHS

HFHS

Overall Framework

Existing Institutional Anchors1 Henry Ford Health System (HFHS)2 College for Creative Studies (CCS)3 University Prep Academy4 WSU Medical Biological Research Bldg (MBRB)

Other Programs5 Next Energy6 Detroit Children’s Museum7 Criminal Justice Bldg (Incubator)8 Tech 1 (Incubator)9 Wayne State University Police10 Fisher Building11 New Center Park

Proposed Interventions12 Core Plaza13 Community Park14 CCS Plaza15 North Plaza16 Viaduct Improvements17 Residential (Live / Work)18 Co-working Space19 Mixed-use Infill (Live/Work, Galleries)20 Rapid Prototyping Facility21 Small Batch ManufacturingT Light Rail Transit Stop

The plan for TechTown establishes a public realm framework that defines key corridors that integrate a mix of uses and connect the institutional anchors. A mix of complementary uses, such as fab labs and production spaces, co-working spaces, incubators, housing, dining and support services will contribute to the success and vitality of the district. TechTown features many historic buildings that played an important role in the automo-tive innovations of an earlier era. The plan maintains a mix of building types, repurposing much of the historic fabric.

A strategic open space framework for long term devel-opment enhances and integrates the district. The core plaza is a central feature of the plan, and will be the focus of early investment. The plaza is designed for flex-ibility and to support year-round activity, from curling and campfires in the winter, to movie screenings, robot competitions and maker’s fairs in the summer. A com-munity park and two additional plazas connected along landscaped corridors provide amenities for each of the anchor institutions. This robust open space framework and urban design strategy transforms parking lots and vacant sites into places for people.

Public Realm Strategy


CASS AVE

2 AVE

3 AVE

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

EDSEL FORD HWY

W GRAND BLVD

MILWAUKEE ST

BALTIMORE ST

AMSTERDAM ST

YORK ST

ANTOINETTE ST

HARPER ST

BURROUGHS ST

JOH

N C LO

DG

E HW

Y

(1-94)

1

12

7

17

17

1718

18

18

18

19

20

21

17

13

1

3

P

P

P

P

PP

PP

P

P

3

3

9

8

5

46

2

10

11

14

15

16

1616

16

1

WSU

T

TCCS


Framework CorridorsThe corridors reinforce different institutional sectors, including Medical, the Creative indus-tries, and Research within the Focus corridor. The Neighborhood corridor forms a vibrant mixed use spine with residential live-work units, cafes and co-work spaces. The Recreation corridor re-purposes existing wide sidewalks and medians to create linear parks and a produc-tive landscape. A community park with recreation fields and exercise stations are located along this corridor.


Woo

dward

Ave

Woo

dward

Ave

Woo

dward

Ave

Woo

dward

Ave

Grand Blvd

Woo

dward

Ave

Woo

dward

Ave

Focus Corridor Neighborhood Corridor

Recreation Corridor Medical Corridor

Creative Corridor Woodward Transitions


3RD

ST

1

13

10

2

P

P

P

Existing Institutional Anchors

1 Henry Ford Health System (HFHS)2 University Prep Academy3 WSU MBRB

Other Programs

4 Next Energy5 Detroit Children’s Museum6 Criminal Justice Bldg (Incubator)7 Tech 1 (Incubator)8 Wayne State University Police

Proposed Interventions

9 Core Plaza10 Community Park11 Residential (Live / Work)12 Industrial Kitchen13 Small Batch Manufacturing14 Launch Pad15 Medical ResearchT Light Rail Transit Stop

15

15

15

15

The TechTown Core


CASS

AVE

2ND

AVE

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

AMSTERDAM ST

ANTOINETTE ST

YORK ST

BURROUGHS ST

9

11

11

12

11

1112

P

P

3

8

7

6

4

35

T

EDSEL FORD HWY

(1-94)

11

14


Strategic Interventions

Proposed

Existing

Proposed Interventions

Public Greens

Public Plaza

CASS AVE

2 ND

AVE

3RD

ST

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

W GRAND BLVD

MILWAUKEE ST

BALTIMORE ST

AMSTERDAM ST

YORK ST

ANTOINETTE ST

HARPER ST

BURROUGHS ST

JOH

N C LO

DG

E HW

Y

(1-94)

Live Work

Research

Commercial

Education

Amenity

Fabrication

Parking GarageService

Integrated Building Use

CASS AVE

2 ND

AVE

3RD

ST

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

W GRAND BLVD

MILWAUKEE ST

BALTIMORE ST

AMSTERDAM ST

YORK ST

ANTOINETTE ST

HARPER ST

BURROUGHS ST

JOH

N C LO

DG

E HW

Y

(1-94)


Mobility

Proposed Shared Parking Strategy

5 min W

alk

2.5 min W

alk

Proposed Parking Garage

Existing Parking Garage

Surface Parking

CASS AVE

2 ND

AVE

3RD

ST

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

W GRAND BLVD

MILWAUKEE ST

BALTIMORE ST

AMSTERDAM ST

YORK ST

ANTOINETTE ST

BURROUGHS ST

JOH

N C LO

DG

E HW

Y

(1-94)

Institutional Shuttle Network and TransitCollege for Creative Studies

Henry Ford Health System

Amtrak

M1 Light Rail


CASS AVE

2 ND

AVE

3RD

ST

WO

OD

WA

RD

AVE

W GRAND BLVD

MILWAUKEE ST

BALTIMORE ST

AMSTERDAM ST

YORK ST

ANTOINETTE ST

HARPER ST

BURROUGHS ST

JOH

N C LO

DG

E HW

Y

(1-94)


Transforming TechTownEx

isti

ngPr

opos

ed


A district currently defined by surface parking lots and A lack of identity will be transformed into a dense, well-balanced urban setting, with a clearly defined heart and a strong sense of place.


Sustainability and LivabilityEnvironmental, economic and cultural sustainability are foundational elements of the plan. Public open space improvements create a vibrant walkable district that reduces demand for parking, and provides access to new light rail transit on Woodward Ave. The plan contains an exercise circuit and an integrated bicycle network to promote health and wellness.

Landscape strategies include bioswales to enhance infiltration and reduce surface run off, while streetscape improvements increase pervious surfaces. The economy of the district focuses on local production of goods and services, and job creation around innovation. The plan preserves the district’s history and character through adaptive re-use of historic buildings.


2nd Ave Re-imagined2nd Ave is re-imagined as an exercise and recreational corridor with a linear park along the HFHS building that connects to the larger community park and playfields. The central median is transformed into a bio-swale and a productive landscape space.


The TechTown Core Today


The analysis and outreach process helped us arrive at both a long term aspirational framework for the district, including defined public realm identities for corridors, along with a near term catalytic site that focuses investment around a signature plaza. Initial investments link the proposed light rail stop to the east with a proposed park to the west. Strategic street closures and the transformation of existing surface parking lots create a defined heart for the district. A dense grove of trees and linear bench direct individuals from the proposed light rail stop into the plaza. A fabrication lab anchors the southern side of the plaza with fabrication tables that span both indoor and outdoor environments.

Collaboration cubes—or moveable and adaptable work stations—populate the plaza and can be reconfigured and relocated to meet the specific needs of the user. These cubes create a collab-orative icon for the district.

A projection screen, rock climbing wall, and signature shade circuit define the north side of the plaza, which includes a café with seating among an informal grove of trees. These amenities complement a nearby flexible space that can be programmed according to time of year and community needs. The plaza is home to the maker’s fair and hacker challenge in the fall. In the winter, the plaza accommodates a light installation and temporary curling lane, with collab-orative campfires for warmth. Spring transforms the plaza into the epicenter of an alternative energy challenge with solar test cubes and food trucks. Colored pavers pixelate the ground plane and create a branded identity for the heart of the district.

The TechTown Core


Collaboration Cubes

Movable Brain Storming Collaboration

Demonstration Games Lounge


4

5

67

8

9

13

14

15

16

12

School Gym

University Prep

Tech One

Utilities

Children's Museum

Westcott Displays

Next EnergyFabLab

Criminal Justice Building

Burroughs St

2nd

Ave

The Core


1 Proposed Light Rail Stop2 The Grove 3 Seat Wall and Shade Structures4 Circuit Cafe5 Think Tank and Brainstorming Grove6 Climbing Wall7 Media Screen8 Multipurpose Space9 Shade Circuit10 Pedestrian Priority Street11 Food Trucks12 Terrace Lounge13 Fabrication Tables (Fab-Tab)14 Collaboration Space15 Next Energy Testing Site16 Residential (Live / Work)17 Community Park and Exercise Station18 Exercise Circuit and Bioswale

1

2

3

10

11

1616

16

14

MBRB

WSU PoliceLofts

Burroughs St

Cass

Ave

Woo

dward

Ave


A Heart for TechTown


A New Front DoorA new entry plaza by the MBRB building and tree grove create an inviting entry space that connects the light rail stop on Woodward Ave to the core plaza. A screening element on the Tech One building provides clear visibility from Woodward Ave and creates a strong visual marker for TechTown


Cass Ave Re-imagined


Cass Ave is conceived as a Neighborhood Street that connects different parts of the WSU and CCS campus. Extensive surface parking lots along Cass Ave are infilled with innovative live-work typologies with co-working spaces, pubs and cafes that activate the street level. The intersection of Cass Ave and Burroughs St is transformed into the core plaza that forms a new heart for the district


FallMaker Fairs and Innovation Challenges in the Fall activate the core plaza and encourage collaboration and entrepreneurial activity in the heart of the district.

WSU Police

FABLAB

Criminal Justice Bldg

Tech One

MBRBC

ass Ave

Burroughs St


WinterFire pits allow people to use the circuit cafe and brain storming grove for collaboration even in the winter months. The flexible space in the plaza is converting into a curling rink.

WSU Police

FABLAB


Tech One

MBRB

Cass A

ve

Burroughs St


Fall: Maker Fair


Winter: Fire Pits


SpringFabrication tables extend from the adjacent fab-lab to facilitate the visible testing and development of new products. Shade structures and complementary landscaping create a comfortable environment for collaboration.

WSU Police

FABLAB


Tech One

MBRBC

ass Ave

Burroughs St


SummerThe Brainstorming Grove provides an informal destination for meeting and socializing, with access to the nearby Short Circuit Cafe and Food Trucks.

WSU Police

FABLAB


Tech One

MBRB

Cass A

ve

Burroughs St


Spring: Innovation Challenge


Summer: Brainstorming Grove


Phase 1 Components

The vision for TechTown will be realized over time. The plaza is regarded as the near term criti-cal action item for the district. It serves as the nexus and collaborative common ground for a multitude of stakeholders, but also requires the coordination of several landholders to realize this vision. This planning process provides the foundation for seeking sources of seed money essential to implementing this project. If realized, the core site public realm strategy has the potential to ignite innovation and drive Detroit’s transition toward a new economy.

Initial investments will occur at the heart of the district, and will begin with the creation of a pedestrian priority zone that reinforces connections among existing institutions and busi-nesses. Low cost, high impact installations, such as mobile and adaptable collaboration cubes specifically designed for TechTown, will support a range of active uses from spontaneous brainstorming sessions to planned social activities.

The subsequent development of the core plaza will include amenities to support innovation and livability, and public realm improvements that connect to a new community park and pro-posed light rail transit.

Realizing the Vision

Woo

dward

Ave

Burroughs St


Spring 2013 - Pedestrian Priority Zone A - Low Cost High Impact Installations

B - Define the Heart C - Extend Investment to the Park

D - Connect to Future Light Rail E - Complete the Core


ProcessA variety of creative strategies were employed to encourage participation in the TechTown planning process. A stakeholder committee composed of representatives from the anchor institutions and other constituents provided leadership and direction at key milestones.

A regular series of open forums afforded opportunities for wider participation, and included presentations from experts in innovation districts and research parks, urban design and planning.

Interactive games, such as the “Circuit Board” and the “Coin Survey,” were employed at the forums to test program and design alternatives, and to rank strategies for investment.

TechTownTalk, the project blog, was developed to document the planning process and provided another vehicle for information exchange.

A “MyDistrict” survey, an interactive online graphic survey, was distributed to anchor institution employees and other constituents to surface qualitative impressions of the district. Individuals were asked to identify where ideas are formed, where they collaborate, favorite dining locations, favorite outdoor areas, and other questions about the amenities and qualities of the district. The survey responses helped to tailor the planning, programming and urban design strategies to the unique requirements of an innovation district that supports the institutions.

Project Blog


MyDistrict Survey The Circuit Board Game

What Areas do you find Unsafe?

What are the Extents of TechTown?

Where is Collaboration taking place?

Game Pieces - Collaboration Components

The Game Board

Playing the Game - Testing Scenarios


Open Forums


TechTown

Acknowledgements:

Client: Sue Mosey - Midtown Detroit, Inc representing Henry Ford Health Systems, Wayne State University, College for Creative Studies, Next Energy, Tech One

Sasaki Team: Dan Kenney, Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Caitlyn Clauson, Philip Perlin, Victor Eskinazi, Alexis Canter, Ponnapa Prakkamakul

Strategic Advisors: U3 Ventures

Consultants: Rebar Interface Studio Anthony Townsend Street Plans Collaborative


Integrated Vision


Universidaddel Istmo

Guatemala

The purpose of the project is to plan a new campus for the university aiming at consolidating the school’s operation, presently dispersed throughout Guatemala City. The new campus will provide a home for the long term development of the institution that anticipates a steady growth in student enrollment over the next 25 years.

The key objective of the Master Plan is to develop a campus that is conducive to the realization of the University’s mission: to contribute to the formation of extraordinary professionals, with a deep commitment to society, rooted in a humanitarian worldview and with a keen appreciation of interdisciplinary learning. The Master Plan translates the University’s academic mission into a vision for the campus, capable of guiding its development over time and with a specific focus on its first phase of development.

Additional objectives include:

- The development of a flexible program and phasing strategy that allows the campus to grow in an organic manner, matching building and space resources with progressive enrollment.

- The development of a campus environment that can jumpstart a new pedagogical model for the school.

- The design of an integrated building site complex as a model for the restoration and sustainable redevelopment of the agricultural landscape characteristic of this region of Guatemala.


Site and Context

Site

City Center

Growth

Corridor

Regional Context Site Topography

Site Topography


valley

lower plateau

bowlpromontory

ridge

stepped terraces

historic mounds

dense forest

forested slopes

forested slopes

dense forest

steep slopes

gentle slope

steep slopes


Site Features

B - The Bowl and the Promontory on the Ridge

C - The Valley Landscape

The Promontory

C

B

A


A - The Ridge

The Bowl

The Ridge


Site Features


Typical cross sections showing strategies of integrating storm water filteration


The Farmhouse - Vernacular Typology around the new campus site

A New Academic Type

Use of Verandahs and Arcades in the current campus in Guatemala


Classroom

Vernacular Typology

Re-interpreting the Traditional Typology

Seminar Room

Shaded Arcade

Verandah

Developing a New Academic TypeA building form that is rooted to the local context, responsive to climatic condi-tions and seamlessly integrates pedagogical intentions of combining academic learning with social life. This type also integrates multiple sustainability strate-gies - shading, rain water capture, thermal insulation, etc

The Verandah as a multi-dimensional space 1. facilitate cross ventilation & providing shelter from the rain 2. a space for informal learning expanding the classroom into the public realm 3. a space for social interaction and engagement

Academic Space Public Realm / LandscapeVerandah

Rainwater Collector

Green Roof

Green Roof

The traditional typology consists of a living space with a a deep verandah that acts as climatic response and a space for social interaction. This type effectively blurs the ‘inside - outside’ relationship.

Living SpaceGarden / Farm

Rainwater Collector

Public Realm / Landscape


Acad

emics

Hospital / R

&D

Academ

ics

Dense Forest

Development Zone

Student Life

Campus Core

Drop-Off

Reforestation and an increase in the Forest Cover around the Site

Library

Rectory

Chapel

Student Center

valley

Concept StrategyIntegration of Student Life

Primary Public Space

Historic Mounds

student life

student life

student life

hospital / r&d

academics

sports & recreation

housing

student life

Conceptual Strategies

The campus is conceived as a compact “village on a hill” surrounded by a unique natural setting, its plan is a model for the development of rural areas transitioning to urban conditions. It is organized as a linear structure of buildings clustered around courtyards and patios and interconnected by colonnades.

The plan responds to its site context through a variety of conservation and development strategies, among which are the continuation and restoration of existing natural ecosystems including: the Mediterranean pine reforesta-tion in the hillside, the extension of the forested prairie in the elevated plateaus, and the conser-vation of wetlands, open springs and streams as part of the larger watershed in the valley.

Farm House


Academic BuildingsStudent Life

Vehicular Access

Drop-OffPromenade

Parking

10 minute walk circle (800m)

Conceptual Organisation

Historic Mounds

Farm House

Dense Forest

Dense Forest

Hospital

Library

Rectory

Chapel

Student Center

Sports Center

Sports Field

Bowl /Amphitheatre

Parking

Parking

Promontory Pavilion

Framework Structure

Campus Framework

Historic Mounds

Dense Forest

Dense Forest


Integrated Framework

Student CenterLibraryRectoryHealth SchoolBusiness SchoolEducation SchoolEngineering SchoolChapelLaw SchoolDesign SchoolSports CenterStudent Housing

University HospitalFuture R&DArcade

Program Distribution

The Master Plan takes advantage of the morphology of the site by concentrating the development in two key areas: the main campus, elongated over the site’s upper plateau, and the university hospital and research complex, positioned over the site’s lower plateau, and separated from the campus by the ravines and the valley. The campus is organized as a linear structure of buildings clustered around courtyards interconnected by colonnades. These clusters revolve around a plaza that acts as the campus heart and main civic space. Located at the plateau’s highest point, the plaza is both focus and viewing frame to multiple vistas of the campus, and it is defined by the Library, Campus Center and Rectory buildings.

The campus central plaza and its buildings constitute the campus cornerstone around which the rest of the campus will grow over time. Future academic departments, student residences and support uses will line up the remaining areas of the plateau. The landscape spaces between them will render the campus as a pedestrian environment in a garden setting.

The valley between the campus and hospital provides a natural reservoir for an existing seasonal stream, this landscape is the central amenity of a major park that connects the university with its surrounding development. Building and key program destinations are concentrated within a 5 minute walking radius, making the campus a completely pedestrian environment.

Historic Mounds

Dense Forest

Dense Forest


Flexible

Field

Student

Center

Library

Rectory

Entry Plaza

Campus Plaza

Education

School

Business

School

Chapel

EngineeringSchool

Design School

Design School

LawSchool


The Campus Framework

The campus is designed as a largely passive development that draws upon the site’s resources and unique climatic conditions to function. The design paid special attention to the integration of building, infrastructure and landscape solutions to manage water on site, conserving and reusing the heavy volume of storm water, helping revert existing erosion processes. Buildings are optimized in their orientation, massing, height and section to take advantage of natural ventilation and daylighting, contributing significant energy consumption reductions to the campus.

University

Hospital


The Campus Framework

Section through the Academic Core


The Academic Core


The campus open space system is based on the extension of the armature of natural systems existing on the site: the forest, the vegetated plateaus, the valley and the ravines. A key campus landscape strategy is to reinforce these systems by promoting the use of native vegetation, managing the extent of development and impervious areas and complementing existing ecosystems like the integration of drainage with the regulation of the site’s watershed and the development of terraces and planting areas to stabilize the ravines.


Sustainability Strategies

90

Cross Section through the Library, Medical School, Valley and the Hospital

Covered Walkway Landscape Walk Study Pavilion

Cross Section through the Academic Greens and Academic Buildings

Cross Sections

91Outdoor Study Flexible Verandah Green Walls


Academic Greens

With a central operation in the campus community center, student life spaces permeate the whole campus setting providing destinations for recreation, sports, residential life, student advising and dining mixed with academic spaces throughout the campus.


Landscape Strategies

Restored Urban Forest The Valley Landscape


The Ridge Landscape Integrated Framework Plan


The Valley Landscape

Future

Research

University

Hospital

The campus open space system is based on the extension of the armature of natural systems existing on the site: the forest, the vegetated plateaus, the valley and the ravines. In this setting, the campus and hospital parcels provide a pedestrian focused connective system characterized by streets, plazas, walks and trails.


Flexible

Field

Student

CenterLibrary

Campus Plaza

Chapel

University Hospital

Cross Section through the Valley Landscape and the Hospital


The Valley Landscape


The Campus Core


Universidad del Istmo

Acknowledgements:

Client: Universidad del Istmo

Sasaki Team: Pablo Savid, Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Hsing-Chih Lee, Roberto Viola Ochoa, Vee Petchthevee, Radhika Mahan, Anthony Fettes

Renderings: Arch Partners


University of Technology and Design

SingaporeThe Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) master plan provided a unique challenge: to design the campus for a new university that advances the implementation of the latest cutting-edge academic vision of interdisciplinary, collaborative, and project-based learning. The University’s academic mission, developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is based on bold new paradigms for integrating technology and design education in the fields of Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD), Engineering Product Development (EPD), Engineering Systems Design (ESD), and Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD).

The master plan fosters collaboration through multi-functional academic buildings that are anchored by an International Design Center and interconnected by an outdoor pedestrian network. Like MIT’s “infinite corridor,” the east-west spine serves as the main pedestrian corridor of the campus, provides horizontal and vertical connections, and creates lively spaces for a wide range of University activities. Student-life facilities, housing, and recreational buildings are integrated in mixed-use precincts and connected through open spaces and plazas.

Sustainable design plays a large role in the campus plan, utilizing a shade canopy over the spines, building orientation, green roofs, building systems, pedestrian and transit access, and storm water management. The result is a campus that has a strong sense of identity, supports a vibrant community, and demonstrates the University’s commitment to engaged learning and student development. Planned to open in the fall of 2014, the new campus will support projected growth to 7,000


Site and ContextLocated 13 kilometers northeast of Singapore’s Central Business District, in a district with residential and commercial uses, the SUTD site comprises three parcels totaling 22 hectares. Adjacent to the site is an emerging research and technology park - Changi Business park and an Exhibition Center.

Changi Business Park Cluster as seen from the site

View of the site from the future transit station


SITE

Chang

i Bus

ines

s Par

k

Exhi

bitio

n

Cente

r

Exhibition

Center


Site Features

There is potential to make strong connections between the campus, adjacent residential neighborhoods and Changi Business Park


The site has two distinct levels and inherent topography with concrete storm water channels carved into the landscape. There is potential to work with the natural site levels and better integrate storm water management into the public realm of the campus.


Conceptual StrategiesIn translating the totally new pedagogical idea into a campus design the planners worked directly with the SUTD academic planning group at MIT, the SUTD Board, and Singapore Ministry of Education. As a new university, SUTD did not have faculty, students, or staff. The design connects and integrates uses through a primary pedestrian spine, an east-west corri-dor that reflects the University’s interdisciplinary and collaborative mission, gives an address for the major program elements, and links to key community uses, including Changi Business Park, Expo Center, and the transit system.

At the heart of the campus and the spine is the Design Centre. It is the symbolic and functional hub of the University and international center for interdisciplinary learning and research. Inte-grated around the Design Centre are the academic spaces of the four academic fields (pillars) of the University. Each pillar is housed across clusters of buildings that include academic, student life, meeting, collaboration, and exhibition space, and each has a significant public presence on the primary spine. Intersecting the primary academic spine at the Design Centre is a north-south pedestrian corridor—or “living-learning corridor”—that connects the academic core to the residential program. The strong connection between the academic, residential, and student life areas promotes living-learning communities and builds on the vibrancy of the campus core.

Conceptual framework organization of the new Campus


New relationships between technology anddesign education

Creating an integrated community of living, learning and leisure

Organizational principles and a new pedagogical structure for the Campus


Campus Vision

Academic Pillar

Academic Pillar

Admin

UG Housing

Academic Pillar

Research

Faculty Housing

Faculty Housing

Faculty Housing

Grad Housing

Grad Housing

Grad Housing

T


Academic Pillar

Academic Pillar

Library Admin

Stud

ent L

ife

UG Housing

UG HousingUG Housing

UG Housing

UG H

ousing

Grad H

ousing

Grad H

ousing

Grad H

ousing

Rete

ntio

n Po

nd

Swimm

ing

Pool

Changi Business Park

Living and Learning Spine

EntryPlaza

Design Center

UG Housing

Recreatio

n Center

Exhibition Center


Podium Level Plan

Upper Spine Level Plan

Spine Level Plan

Housing

Student Life

Academic Cluster

Sports Center

Design Center

Parking

Facilities / Admin

Business Park


Upper Level Landuse

Buiding Fabric


Cross SectionsLocated at the heart of SUTD is the Design Centre around which are clustered the core aca-demic facilities housing the four major program areas. Student-life and residential facilities emanate north and west to the edges of the campus. The living-learning corridor to the north includes the library and student center, athletics and recreation facilities, and undergradu-ate housing. Parcels 2 and 3 to the west provide housing for graduate students and faculty. SUTD envisions housing a very high percentage of its students, faculty, and staff on campus to promote an engaged learning community and student development.


Housing

Student Life

Academic Space

Faculty / Admin

Design Center

Parking


The SpineThe primary spine defines the identity of SUTD by giving an address for the major program elements and creating a public face for the University within the city’s fabric. A shade struc-ture provides pedestrians with relief from the tropical climate and also gives the campus a signature identity. A gateway plaza on the western end of the primary spine and pedestrian-oriented gateways adjacent to the transit lines reinforce SUTD’s image within the city. The plan also increases SUTD’s public image by establishing physical ties to the adjacent Changi Business Park.


The spine is directly connected to the future transit station


Cross SectionsEncompassing over half of the SUTD campus, the open space network includes pocket parks, courtyards, gardens, green roofs, athletic fields, and forested buffers, all of which form a green network interlinking the site. This network is complemented by a network of canals, water features and bio-swales which manage stormwater sustainably. A tiered network of pedestrian paths, including the canopy-covered primary spine, connects nearly all of the campus within a ten-minute walk. The result is an integrated system that enhances environmental quality while providing students with varied spaces for movement, recreation, and congregation.


Housing

Student Life

Academic Space

Faculty / Admin

Design Center

Parking


Underpinning the SUTD campus is a strong commitment to sustainability. All campus build-ings face south to optimize solar orientation and minimize heating and cooling needs. They also feature green roofs to modulate energy use and provide additional green space. To respond to Singapore’s warm climate and promote pedestrian comfort, a canopy extends along most of the primary pedestrian spine and living-learning corridor. These architectural mea-sures, combined with landscape strategies to promote sustainable stormwater management and with transportation measures to promote transit use and reduce parking demand, fulfill SUTD’s goals of communicating sustainable development practices to the campus community and beyond.

Integrated Sustainability


Cross SectionsTo promote interdisciplinary conversation and innovation the academic fields (“pillars”) are distributed across the building clusters, rather than isolating each in a distinct area. During the first three semesters all undergraduates are grouped in interdisciplinary cohorts and are taught in specially designed technology-enhanced active learning (TEAL) classrooms. These classrooms are located on the lower levels of the buildings, putting the most active student learning spaces closest to the spine. To further promote the exchange of ideas, the master plan connects the academic clusters to each other and to the Design Centre. A network of pedes-trian bridges and entries knits the buildings together.


Housing

Student Life

Academic Space

Faculty / Admin

Design Center

Parking


Student Housing Clusters


University of Technology and Design, Singapore

Acknowledgements:

Client: Singapore University of Technology and Design

Sasaki Team: Dennis Pieprz, Romil Sheth, Dan Kenney, Victor Eskinazi, Vee Petchthevee

Local Architect: MKPL Architects

Landscape Architect: Sitetectonix

Academic Pillar

Academic Pillar

Library

Design Center

Admin

UG Housing

UG Housing

EntryPlaza

T

The Campus Core


Academic Pillar

Academic Pillar

Stud

ent L

ife

UG Housing UG Housing

UG Housing

UG H

ousing

Grad H

ousingG

rad Housing

Grad H

ousing

UG Housing

Recrea

tion C

enter

Rete

ntio

n Po

nd

Deck

Swimm

ing

Pool

Changi

Busines

s Park

Living and Learning Spine

StudentCenter


Boston64 Pleasant StreetWatertown, MA 02472United States

T +1.617.926.3300F +1.617.924.2748

Shanghai600 North Shaanxi RoadBuilding 10, Suite 402-408Jing’an District, Shanghai, 200040China

T +86.21.6190.5290

provocationsuc

Documents

repetitive ideas

crosspollination of

bold ideas

singular ideas

thoughtful design solutions

original design solutions

formulaic solutions

innovative solutions