fluo

fall 2021

Collaboration: Anthony Wu

Supervisors and Instructors: Dana Cupkova, Matt Huber, Phyllis Kim

A collection of halfway homes and community spaces focused on social movement between the Aspinwall and Lexington/Lemington neighborhoods and environmental consciousnesses in relation to water flow from building to site to the Allegheny River. With this project, we hope to envision a future where this part of Pittsburgh is both socially interconnected as well as a place where nature is celebrated and cared for.

Our site is situated along the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood adjacent to a former railroad bridge proposed to become a pedestrian pathway between the Aspinwall Riverfront Park and the other bank of the river. When beginning the consideration of the site, we found that the social disconnect currently between the two sides of the river called for a project that could somehow integrate direct access to the bridge itself, encouraging movement and community across both areas. Our structure, acting as a series of half-way homes, could greatly benefit from this. Public interior spaces, a park, and public transit access allow more than just its inhabitants to enjoy the building.

Stemming from design principles of Habitat 67 and Narkomfin, the form of our structure stems from an aggregation of small units grouped together to allow for a repetition of certain living spaces; sometimes combining to create larger public areas. The small units paired with the winding, open, and narrow form allow for daylight access throughout the entire structure, even with the steep slope of land to the south of the site. The building is split up into three main programmatic zones: public space situated nearest to the bridge, semi-public circulation and gathering spaces for residents, as well as the living units.

Precedent Analysis (made with Anthony Wu)

Because of the site’s location being situated between steep slopes and the Allegheny River, we felt it was important to be considerate of how water interacted with the project. By forming the facade to encourage specified water flow down the building, it allows water to collect both on green areas on the roof and in particular areas around the building. With this, it can be used for vegetation on and around the building. Other ponds throughout the site accommodate for water flow from further inland during heavy rainfall, preventing excessive runoff into the river. With the edge of the river being less disturbed by erosive water flow, nature can thrive.