Weaving PorosityA Gateway Through Larimer

Blake Lam + Diana LuiJonathan Kline + Rami el Samahy, Instructors

existing

removal

potential

weave

ground program

A number of obsolete structures are removed to create parking and allow for new pedestrian movement across the site. Openings are made to two of the existing structures to allow for the injection of new ground program.

New open spaces allow for greater pedestrian movement across the site and through certain structures. This creates new potential for both indoor and outdoor activity.

None of the open public spaces support any activities. The existing structures are closed spaces used for storage. Most of the spaces are fenced off and do not function as community assets.

The farmers’ market occupies the ground floor of the warehouse and expands outside to engage the street. New parking has been provided to support existing and new programs. The rest of the outdoor space is used for pedestrian and recreational activity.

The first layer of intervention activates the ground floor. This is achieved through landscape and the extension of paths acorss the site. The ground floor level of the existing warehouses are programmed as a farmers market and youth center.

elevated programThe program on the ground level expands to become a volume that is elevated above the site. The massing responds to the desired movement paths across the site and reinforces the open public spaces on the ground level. The building is generated as a landscape that is lifted from the ground plane.

Youth Center

Farmers Market

Recreation

Landscape

StatementThe market/youth center is situated at the intersection of Frankstown Avenue and Liberty Blvd. The site is prominently positioned as a gateway into the neighborhood, but currently does not facilitate any sense of arrival nor does it function as a public amenity.

The openness of the site and the presence of the vacant structures like the warehouse present a series of opportunities with which to create a significant destination for the neighborhood and the region. The intervention began with an analysis of existing movement and a mapping of potential movement through the site. This created a strategy with which to connect the Kingsley Center with Larimer Academy, which forms a corridor of youth activity. Additionally, in order to create a more self-sustainable neighborhood, it was necessary to create a commercial anchor on the site. We chose to create a permanent place for the East Liberty Farmers market.

existing

removal

potential

weave

ground program

elevated program

Site section

Ground floor planSite concept

Sectional perspective

Market shelves

Aromatic green wall

Seating

Modules

Farmers market interior

Market stalls

Plaza benches

Youth center interior

New movement and program are created by weaving a modular system—composed of varying material and textures—across the site. This not only shapes the outdoor landscape, new bike and pedestrian paths, and plaza, but also is also used to create the architecture. The modules themselves also facilitate a form of exhibition for commercial and educational activity.

The intervention begins with cleaning and greening the existing open spaces, as well as opening up the warehouse to accommodate the farmers market. The neighbor-ing structure that fronts the street and the upper level of the warehouse will serve as the initial space for the youth center. Within 5 to 10 years, the building will be constructed.

As the farmers market continues to develop, so too will a new commercial corridor develop along Frankstown. This could begin as a group of restaurants that develops around a plaza across the street that brings people to the gateway during the day and night. Likewise, the expansion of youth activity will help establish this area as a significant educational hub in the region. Throughout this process, the landscape will continue to extend beyond the site in order to strengthen and expand the gateway to Larimer.

YEAR 1

YEAR 5

YEAR 10

YEAR 20

GATEWAY PHASING

house temporary youth center for the arts

move East Liberty farmer’s Market to existing warehouse

clean up vacant sitesestablish outdoor seating areas

childrens playground

neighborhood recycling center established

outdoor basketball court

youth center expansion created

new parking created behind market

unused buildings demolished

green wall modules implemented extension of market vendors new bus stop located at plaza

green parking in front of Kingsley

Larimer info center created

media center established

new parking

pedestrian bike trail created along Lincoln Avestreet parking along Liberty Ave

begin commercial corridor

development of eateries

Frankstown pedestrianized

relocated bus stops

connection to promenade

growth of educational facilities

development of new housing for youth

Kingsley parking becomes new bus stop and park

commercial corridor development

path connection to new bus terminal

pedestrianized streets

connection to East Liberty

Night life at the gateway

Street life

Chess park

Edible garden

Dance floor

Outdoor youth recreation Outoor Modules Phasing Regional plan