To answer some of these fundamental concerns, this week’s book review focuses on the M.Arch Thesis of Tom Lee, of MIT.
Breaking the Segregated, Ivory Tower
In his exploration of vertical ‘typologies’, Mr. Lee sought to contest one of the largest paradoxes inherent to historical skyscraper design: that habitable “ivory towers” are often exclusionary from other users/user types, purposefully segregating themselves from diverse regions or neighborhoods around them[1]. Lee wanted to examine these fundamental problems of skyscrapers in Chicago, using lessons from his native San Fransisco by which to attempt to break the mold that traditionally defined skyscrapers: to place such buildings in a more integrated realm.
However, Lee (unsurprisingly) discovered that many contemporary building developers were still fairly conservative in their design requirements and layouts, seeking to maximize profit through time tested strategies, rather than rely on subjective, untested, new designs. The sheer resource and energy costs required to construct such structures often rendered most whimsical or elaborate plans as moot. For clients to consider a break from repetitive, non-programmatic floor plans, designers would first need to purposefully demonstrate how specific design or vertical relationships could increase profitability or generate positive marketing possibilities, before such clients would commit to significant design shifts[2].
To combat these features, Mr. Lee sought to reconsider the typology from a standpoint of diversity and efficiency, developing a new skyscraper model based on increased resident unity. Using quantified, evidence-based results from horizontal neighborhoods, he broached his topic from a stance of ‘social liability’, seeking to make tall buildings as open and friendly as possible. He sought to explore what happens when traditional spaces in a skyscraper are rearranged, placing transportation on the exterior of the building, and exploring the results.
A Literal, Vertical Neighborhood
To execute a diversely ‘proven’ skyscraper, Lee sought to duplicate a typology that was already commercially successful, and tilt it upward. In this case he mapped a traditionally, diverse, horizontal neighborhood in central San Fransisco, tilted it upright, and mapped the results. The area around Casto Street had long been known to be a focal point, and economic generator: could a vertical counterpart equal its vitality?
Throughout his initial research, Lee discovered many surprising facts about modern skyscrapers. His test building utilized various public/private areas assigned to similar, more horizontally situated residential neighborhoods: public space was assigned to elevator shafts and common rooms, whereas ‘private space’ was assigned to areas that could be seen or viewed by anyone: public courtyards or balconies. A combination of residential, commercial, and institutional users was also used. What he did not expect, was how poorly these areas translated to a vertical realm.
To execute a diversely ‘proven’ skyscraper, Lee sought to duplicate a typology that was already commercially successful, and tilt it upward. In this case he mapped a traditionally, diverse, horizontal neighborhood in central San Fransisco, tilted it upright, and mapped the results. The area around Casto Street had long been known to be a focal point, and economic generator: could a vertical counterpart equal its vitality?
Throughout his initial research, Lee discovered many surprising facts about modern skyscrapers. His test building utilized various public/private areas assigned to similar, more horizontally situated residential neighborhoods: public space was assigned to elevator shafts and common rooms, whereas ‘private space’ was assigned to areas that could be seen or viewed by anyone: public courtyards or balconies. A combination of residential, commercial, and institutional users was also used. What he did not expect, was how poorly these areas translated to a vertical realm.
Obstacles and Problems
In exploring this ‘vertical sustainable neighborhood’, Lee encountered several intriguing obstacles. First was that skyscraper public/private relationships were found to be introverted, as compared to their horizontal counterparts. The ‘street space’ in skyscrapers has always been space that users can all access – often happening to be elevators and corridors inside a building. Private ‘backyard storage space’ could only be aptly applied to balconies – places that are the most visible, public on any building.
In exploring this ‘vertical sustainable neighborhood’, Lee encountered several intriguing obstacles. First was that skyscraper public/private relationships were found to be introverted, as compared to their horizontal counterparts. The ‘street space’ in skyscrapers has always been space that users can all access – often happening to be elevators and corridors inside a building. Private ‘backyard storage space’ could only be aptly applied to balconies – places that are the most visible, public on any building.
Additionally,
Lee discovered that many of these spaces could also be incredibly dangerous, if
utilized by cultures unaccustomed to vertical shared living. Case studies showed that the transplanted
horizontal dwellers of suburban St. Louis into the Pruitt- Inghoe
complex were found to have far more security concerns than Le Corbusier’s similarly sized towers had had, in the densely
inhabited cultures of Europe. In Lee;s
conclusions, he deduced that a focus on social liability alone was not enough
to justify such incredible investments of height, and that other considerations
were likely necessary to break from historical standards. Access to
‘public’ space in his design required layers of security clearances for access,
with pedestrian access often purposefully limited to central atrium cores. Access corridors were almost always easier to locate inside the
center of the building, being inaccessible to the general public, or
purposefully limited for resident safety.
A reversal of these conditions also proved difficult in his studies, either requiring a doubling of vertical access lifts to access the internal core of a building, or continuing to maintain a high degree of segregation between both the surrounding metropolis and interior residents – placing transportation on the exterior skin makes skyscrapers even more ‘fortress like’.
A reversal of these conditions also proved difficult in his studies, either requiring a doubling of vertical access lifts to access the internal core of a building, or continuing to maintain a high degree of segregation between both the surrounding metropolis and interior residents – placing transportation on the exterior skin makes skyscrapers even more ‘fortress like’.
While
these possibilities might have greater justification in Southern climates, they
proved to infeasible overall.
Final Verdict – 8/10
Overall, Mr. Lee proved that it remains difficult to simply
apply horizontal concepts to vertical design integration. The lessons of Pruitt Inhoe and Unite du Habitation remain relevant today, as Lee showcased that designers
must seriously consider the psychological ramifications of the towers and their surroundings simultaneously -
how such structures can link to larger cultural facilitations. In his
conclusions, he deduced that a focus on social liability alone was not enough
to justify such incredible investments of height, and that other considerations
were likely necessary to break from historical standards. As seen with both case studies, the difficulty to
break the typology from being a ‘suburb in the sky’ remains.
We give this Thesis project an 8/10, based on the importance of the topic explored, and the
relevance it has to today’s ‘unconventional’ (re:Zaha/MAD) tower designs.
Source: https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/27054#files-area
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| 'Interior Street' - A Vision for Unity |
[1]LEE, T. The
Living Skyscraper: Mapping the Vertical Neighborhood. Thesis. University of
Cincinatti, 2001. Print. pg 42.
[2] LEE, T. pg 44.
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