Re - Stitch
A Habitable Bridge for Everyone

Spring 2015
3rd Year Architecture Studio,University of Southern California
Type: Architecture, Civic
Location: The First Street Bridge, Los Angeles
Instructor: Mario Cipresso
Individual Work


The site is located in between two completely different communities: the Boyle Heights and Art District. As the Art District is one of the most vibrant places in Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights remains its condition as the typical residential community. The two sides vary greatly in many aspects, such as demographic and urban fabric, and Los Angeles River becomes rupture that exacerbate the difference.

The deign strategy aims to re- stitch two complete different communities and to create a new urban narrative for the existing infrastructural piece. By utilizing the bridge typology to its full potential, the project envisions the redefinition of a traditional transportation hub and turns it into a habitable public space which is highly responsive to the ongoing urban revitalization.




Precedent: Ponte Rialto, and Ponte Vecchio, Venice, Italy

Built in 14th Century, Ponte di Rialto and Ponte di Vecchio integrated architectural and infrastructural elements into the typology of bridge. As its original function is to link two sides of the river, the two bridges here introduced other programs, such as retail and tourism. As the function changed, these two bridges developed a more intricated system of organization: the spatial experience and circulation accordingly changed. The analysis of Ponte di and Ponte di Vecchio lays foundation for the concept of a habitable bridge. The bridges are both connections and destinations.

Form:



a: Considering that the programmatic needs are various in types and sizes, they are categorized two kinds: the public and private and located along separate sides .of the bridge.

b: The program blocks are further organized to optimize the view to Los Angeles River and accessibility from riverbank.

c: By connecting these programs with linear circulation, two separate blocks are formed.

d/e: The separate arms are linked both under (Image d.) and above (Imade e.) the existing bridge. The corridors serve as the buffering zone between the public and the private zone. Meanwhile, they provide links and optimized view of LA River and Downtown LA.

Cirulation:

The project takes the shape as a belt bending around the existing bridge, diverging from itself and emerging back. The form leads to unique circulation pattern throughout the building. The user experiences the space as a loop o f programs. By entering the building, the user triggers a series of spatial experience brought by changing form and program.

Connection:
The public space was designed as a trigger to transform the Los Angeles River bank. When addressing the issue of public space, a medium size auditorium and larger indoor open area are introduced. They can accommodate diverse types of events.

Solid vs Transparent:

The façade aims to accentuate the linear form of the project. By using fiber cement board and
double- glazing glass, the unity of the curvy form is reinforced. The fiber cement boards are mounted to the steel frame structure. The selection of material also accommodates the lack of sunlight at the bottom level.

Model building was a very important tool to explore the structural system and spatialquality. At the scale of 1/4“, I looked at the detailing such as façade attachment and floor plate construction. The primary structural system is steel braced frame and the secondary structural system are composed of double-glazing glass and steel studs to which the façade boards are attached.