Photo by Mick Jeffries
In a meeting on Thursday, Woodford Webb and Mayor Jim Gray introduced Studio Gang as the new architects charged with creating solutions for the Centrepointe block. Jeanne Gang described their design process for a crowd of about 300, and then shared architectural models and ideas in open discussions assisted by several of Studio’s architects.
Regardless of the outcome for Centrepointe, the briefing was great for Lexington because it introduced several hundred people to the kind of intelligent, inspired design thinking that should be applied to every building project. Most of the people in the audience had never been exposed to this sort of process and the Studio Gang presentation was a wonderful introduction.
Ms. Gang discussed some Studio Gang projects, several of which had “transformed urban environments.” She provided credible evidence in photos and drawings. Then she described her firm’s explorations of Lexington’s biggest design problem. They started with a macroscopic perspective and zeroed in on the block with carefully informed decisions, step-by-step. The outcome was a series of massing models, the favorite having two towers and multiple smaller buildings. So the design is still schematic – in its early stages with no details.
The Studio Gang proposal introduces a major tower and a minor tower to the site, rather than the enormous single tower of the earlier proposal. Placement and orientation of the towers was developed in response to sun studies, minimizing shadows cast on surrounding context and having the effect of dramatically reducing the apparent scale of the development. This strategy suggests a broader sense of environmental responsibility which is supported by other features. The design allows for pedestrian access to the interior of the block, improving circulation and increasing opportunities for interaction (which is what cities are all about). Green roofs proposed for many of the buildings would mitigate storm water issues and heat-island effect, and would, again, provide space for activity and interaction. Success of the Vine Street frontage will depend upon a complete reworking of that arid highway, suggested by an artist’s vision of the street with ample plantings.
Photo by Mick Jeffries
My favorite qualities of the proposal were the ways in which it responded to the context. Unlike the earlier Centrepointe proposal, it appears that this project could feel appropriate to the city. A variety of building sizes suggests sensitivity to existing textures and that the block could be understood as an agglomeration that has evolved over time, rather than as the product of a massive imposition. Inviting local architects to design portions of the Main Street buildings serves this notion and is an ingenious way to create legitimately diverse frontages in the mode of the historic facades across the street. (This may also be an astute political move if it has the effect of preempting critique from the design community). At one point, Gang displayed a historic Sanborn fire insurance map, noting the visual texture of the buildings in the drawing and describing this as inspiration for envisioning a “pixellated urban texture” for the block. The images revealed that the firm had not only done its homework, thoroughly researching the place, but they were able to move beyond that with a poetic take on history, bringing it into the modern day in a relevant, yet abstract way.
Studio Gang’s objectives were to inform, foster support, and listen to ideas from “end users” – Lexingtonians. Ms. Gang’s presentation suggested inspired leadership and an informed team, and the invitation for discussion after the presentation was sincere. I found the two Studio Gang architects with whom I spoke to be on top of their game and very receptive. Great architecture depends upon interaction with end users during the design process. The meeting on Thursday is evidence that Studio Gang recognizes this fact and we all stand to benefit.
Green roofs in Lexington? That’s great news!
I am not an architect but I have seen far too much bad advice come to Lexington, remembering the loss of Union Station, the devastating downtown “urban renewal, even the Festival Market mistake and so much sterile development. While I compliment the Webb’s for opening up the discussion of Centre point property to the public and having Jeanne Gang and SGA, the architectural firm from Chicago, I share some random thoughts from listening to the presentation.
1) When I think of seriously inviting places, especially in big city parks, I remember primarily women with strollers. Small play areas for older tots while the parents sat with infants really encourage the feeling of being amongst a friendly group.
2) Avoid self contained buildings that discourage the visitors or employees from leaving the building during their being there in those buildings. We need people on the streets. Jeanne Gang ideas of “horse country” divisions of the structures may also lead to security issues and lots of dead or inactive space between buildings.
3) Jeanne Gang mentioning Cincinnati in her presentation brings back the memories of hundreds on Cincinnati streets, many residents of the downtown, going to street front businesses that even bring business building workers out to eat and shop.
4) These wonderful ideas need financing. Are we encouraging local ownership with local financing in addition to seeking local architectural input for buildings on Main?
5) Can we begin thinking about diverse residents living downtown? What about cooperation with the university, and their donors, for housing to bring older student, faculty, staff and maybe retirees to such structures?
6) This project should not be used to promote changes from one way streets – Main or Vine. It’s another issue totally and shouldn’t be planned for Dudley’s main structures on Vine. Ironically, how many one way streets in Spain, Austria or NYC did the presenter use as beautiful streets?
7) The old Vine redesign used in slides is a ridiculous rendering, especially in scale for that area.
8) Division of space usage? Store fronts, office, hotel, condos or apartments?
I was pleased to be there and hear Jeanne Gang’s presentation and feel the excitement of those present.
While financing/investment is completely unknown, before any development is approved, the communities’ creative thinking may bring the best ideas forward!
It is exciting we are making some progress on our downtown. I like the idea that our local architects will get to add some important direction in the final design.