Sean Peter Kane » urban design http://speterkane.com Portfolio of urban planning graduate student Pete Kane. You'll find many website designs, urban planning concepts, architectural pieces, furniture ideas, and project management cases. Tue, 18 May 2010 03:42:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Homans Building Redevelopment http://speterkane.com/2009/04/homans-building-redevelopment/ http://speterkane.com/2009/04/homans-building-redevelopment/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:14:40 +0000 Pete http://speterkane.com/?p=20 Homans Building Redevelopment

This project was developed during my “Green Urban Design and Placemaking” graduate course at Tufts University. The course centered around the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program. This certification program expands the LEED requirements to ensure that a project considers its impact on the great neighborhood, not just the plot of land being (re)developed. Each group in the class was assigned one project site within Somerville, MA.

There were no cost limitations to the project. The only real requirement was that the design incorporate LEED-ND guidelines. The groups were also offered the chance to add to their development site by including surrounding parcels, however, this would need to be fully reasoned.

In the end, the project finished with a design that would afford a Gold Certification. The proposed development optimized the location to the future Green Line T Station in Gilman Square as well as provided the opportunity to revitalize the neighborhood.

Current Conditions

  • Four parcels
  • 1.1 acres
  • Old abandoned warehouse
  • Gas station
  • Three loading docks
  • Parking lot
  • Historically significant
  • Unfavorable to pedestrians
  • Abuts commuter rail line
  • Close to City Hall & High School
  • Poor structural state of building

Project Goals

  • Restore Gilman Square
  • Incorporate sustainable design
  • Inspire and teach
  • Foster community connections
  • Optimize transit-oriented site
  • Provided needed services

Design Principles

  • Integrate site design with existing neighborhood fabric
  • Enhance transit corridor
  • Encourage travel by foot / support a car-free lifestyle
  • Incorporate green space
  • Develop an identifiable neighborhood center
  • Provide a “third place” for the neighborhood
  • Confirm neighborhood completeness
  • Encourage mix of uses
  • Create a model for sustainability

LEED-ND Elements

  • Infill project site
  • Located next to future Community Path (bike)
  • Above-ground and garage bike parking
  • Reduced heat island (underground garage)
  • 10% of parking for carpool and Zipcar
  • Widened sidewalks to 20 feet
  • Store entrances set apart only 55 feet
  • Large percentage of windows on first floor
  • Shade from trees on sidewalk every 40 feet
  • Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) is 3.1
  • New park of 1/5 acre
  • Trombe/thermal wall on south side
  • Optimized natural daylighting via cross-atrium
  • Energy-efficient lighting
  • Electrochomic windows
  • Rain barrels to retain 90% of stormwater
  • PV-panel covered roof
Homans Building Redevelopment - Present Building Homans Building Redevelopment - Present State Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Redevelopment Homans Building Redevelopment - Present State Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Redevelopment Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Elevation Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Program of Uses Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Exterior Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Atrium Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Streetscape Homans Building Redevelopment - Proposed Park ]]> http://speterkane.com/2009/04/homans-building-redevelopment/feed/ 0