Pruitt Igoe Now
Revitalization through Interconnected Spaces
JEFFREY CHEUNG
3/15/2012
I am an architecture student in Toronto, Ontario currently studying in Ryerson’s architectural science program. I am in my fourth year and I heard about Pruitt-Igoe from my professor as we based a core studio project on the ideas submission. Before doing this project in the fall semester, the history of Pruitt-Igoe was not known and after undergoing this competition, I have gained a lot more knowledge about modern architecture and am interested in the current site’s future. The most interesting thing about the site is the potential it has to be able to get redeveloped and to assist in the revitalization of the downtown area. My connection to public housing is that I have experienced some while in Hong Kong and know the types of conditions of the environment. For modern architecture, I have only studied and read about it and occasionally experienced it through observation on site visits. I hope that my conceptual approach and design intent are able to re-create new experiences on a once highly populated area.
Design Idea
The design proposal is to revitalize the downtown area of St. Louis surrounding the Pruitt Igoe site by implementing interconnected spaces through redevelopment and a catalyst building. Through analyzing the surrounding context and location of markets, the proposed catalyst building to be incorporated is to be a mixed-use market type building. With this catalyst, it will lead to the development of some urban agriculture which can lead to continued growth of different types of buildings to further support and develop the site. Stores are proposed to go along Cass and Jefferson Avenue to act as a starting point for future development. Green spaces and farmland will allow for circulation within the site and to the existing surrounding buildings to promote interconnected spaces. The creation of interconnected spaces will give the proposed interventions a way to be connected to each other to revitalize the location.
For transportation to the site, there will be a transportation hub for those who wish to take public transportation. For those travelling by car, there will be a ramp along 23rd street which provides direct access to underneath the site for on-site parking. The mixed use market building will consist of the two lower floors being a farmers market for the sale of local produce grown nearby. The third floor will be an office space; fourth floor will be an outdoor terrace and educational area of the history of Pruitt-Igoe and the present form while the top floor will be a restaurant. The ground floor area will have a plaza space which takes over a section of Cass Avenue to provide pedestrian-only zones for market spaces and interaction. To accommodate for the vehicular traffic along Cass Avenue, it will go below grade for a section of the road without causing interference to the plaza space above.
Revitalization through Interconnected Spaces
JEFFREY CHEUNG
3/15/2012
I am an architecture student in Toronto, Ontario currently studying in Ryerson’s architectural science program. I am in my fourth year and I heard about Pruitt-Igoe from my professor as we based a core studio project on the ideas submission. Before doing this project in the fall semester, the history of Pruitt-Igoe was not known and after undergoing this competition, I have gained a lot more knowledge about modern architecture and am interested in the current site’s future. The most interesting thing about the site is the potential it has to be able to get redeveloped and to assist in the revitalization of the downtown area. My connection to public housing is that I have experienced some while in Hong Kong and know the types of conditions of the environment. For modern architecture, I have only studied and read about it and occasionally experienced it through observation on site visits. I hope that my conceptual approach and design intent are able to re-create new experiences on a once highly populated area.
Design Idea
The design proposal is to revitalize the downtown area of St. Louis surrounding the Pruitt Igoe site by implementing interconnected spaces through redevelopment and a catalyst building. Through analyzing the surrounding context and location of markets, the proposed catalyst building to be incorporated is to be a mixed-use market type building. With this catalyst, it will lead to the development of some urban agriculture which can lead to continued growth of different types of buildings to further support and develop the site. Stores are proposed to go along Cass and Jefferson Avenue to act as a starting point for future development. Green spaces and farmland will allow for circulation within the site and to the existing surrounding buildings to promote interconnected spaces. The creation of interconnected spaces will give the proposed interventions a way to be connected to each other to revitalize the location.
For transportation to the site, there will be a transportation hub for those who wish to take public transportation. For those travelling by car, there will be a ramp along 23rd street which provides direct access to underneath the site for on-site parking. The mixed use market building will consist of the two lower floors being a farmers market for the sale of local produce grown nearby. The third floor will be an office space; fourth floor will be an outdoor terrace and educational area of the history of Pruitt-Igoe and the present form while the top floor will be a restaurant. The ground floor area will have a plaza space which takes over a section of Cass Avenue to provide pedestrian-only zones for market spaces and interaction. To accommodate for the vehicular traffic along Cass Avenue, it will go below grade for a section of the road without causing interference to the plaza space above.