The goal of this Thesis project is to design a stadium on the site of the Civic Arena that will adapt and transform in parallel with the growing sport of Rugby Football in the United States through series of open-ended Architectural systems. This Rugby hub will act as a organic growing 'stage' upon which the growth and culture of the sport can be displayed, represented and celebrated.
The beginning steps of this process do not necessarily need to be in any order, and can be executed interchangeably.
I will do site analysis of not only the Civic Arena (either as a reusable structure or as a razed site) but also of the nearby Console Energy Center, as they can share parking and infrastructure needs, as well as the surrounding region, ranging from local to the Greater Pittsburgh area. This will involve observing and mapping on several scales infrastructure, urban design, parking needs, and so on.
I will also study and develop the programmatic needs of stadiums ranging from a 5,000 capacity to a 60,000 capacity by observing numerous precedents and interpretation/explanation of rugby culture. Local needs and amenities will also be determined from the mapping and site analysis exercise.
Reading and research into existing 'open-ended' design techniques will be carried out. Additionally, if the project becomes an adaptive reuse of the Civic Arena, thorough studies of the structure, layout, and programmatic spaces of the existing building and infrastructure will be done.
The final product of this Thesis project will be a base design for a 5,000 person capacity stadium, along with addition staging plans for future development and growth of the building as Rugby becomes more and more popular in the United States, capping off at a maximum of 60,000 capacity. Additionally, a clearly (or as clear as possible) defined outline of when the building can and should begin each successive stage of growth will be established.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Position Paper v.1.2
Scale is one of the most crucial elements when designing truly engaging Architecture: Not only is the scale of the human body relative to its surroundings important, but equally important is the scale of the built environment adjusting to growing occupancy and needs.
Architecture alone cannot cure all the inadequacies, shortcomings and woes of the world on its lonesome. It can, however, act alongside forces outside (or also encompassed by?) the realms of Architecture to act as a conduit to allow for such changes to occur. Architecture's most basic function is, after all, to serve human function and needs, whether those needs are for survival, amusement, or otherwise.
As the sport of Rugby continues to grow in the United States, a similar growth pattern can be traced to other countries where the sport has absolutely exploded in popularity. In 1995, the International Rugby Board declared the game open and removed all restrictions on payment to players, essentially turning the sport professional. Though the United States lacks enough interest or fan base to fund any sort of professional league, the game is teetering on the brink of such an advancement in the near future. Any Rugby fixture built specifically for the game in the United States, and particularly Pittsburgh, could not be one of grandeur and magnificence at its inception because there is currently a lack of interest, and by simply placing it there and hoping the fans will come would be foolish, especially in Pittsburgh where football and hockey rule the local sports world. Acting as a comparatively small scale venue with seating starting at 5,000 maximum, the human scale will be addressed throughout. As the popularity of Rugby grows on its own, and the human scale (occupancy within the building) grows with it, so too shall the building, because a sure way to deter crowds is to sit in an overscaled and empty space. Through the research and incorporation of 'temporarily unfinished' or open-ended building techniques, structural systems, parking, infrastructure and programmatic elements, the building can literally grow, open up, and be amended to meet the needs of a vastly growing sport. The building houses the needs for the development at both the professional level as well as the youth level, and itself can become a representational icon for what the sport is and will be in the future while providing fans with as little disconnect and maximum overlap between the players, the game, and the Rugby culture as possible. The proposed site to be (re?)used is the Civic Arena given the flexibility of the space with regards to land, parking, infrastructure and so forth.
Architecture alone cannot cure all the inadequacies, shortcomings and woes of the world on its lonesome. It can, however, act alongside forces outside (or also encompassed by?) the realms of Architecture to act as a conduit to allow for such changes to occur. Architecture's most basic function is, after all, to serve human function and needs, whether those needs are for survival, amusement, or otherwise.
As the sport of Rugby continues to grow in the United States, a similar growth pattern can be traced to other countries where the sport has absolutely exploded in popularity. In 1995, the International Rugby Board declared the game open and removed all restrictions on payment to players, essentially turning the sport professional. Though the United States lacks enough interest or fan base to fund any sort of professional league, the game is teetering on the brink of such an advancement in the near future. Any Rugby fixture built specifically for the game in the United States, and particularly Pittsburgh, could not be one of grandeur and magnificence at its inception because there is currently a lack of interest, and by simply placing it there and hoping the fans will come would be foolish, especially in Pittsburgh where football and hockey rule the local sports world. Acting as a comparatively small scale venue with seating starting at 5,000 maximum, the human scale will be addressed throughout. As the popularity of Rugby grows on its own, and the human scale (occupancy within the building) grows with it, so too shall the building, because a sure way to deter crowds is to sit in an overscaled and empty space. Through the research and incorporation of 'temporarily unfinished' or open-ended building techniques, structural systems, parking, infrastructure and programmatic elements, the building can literally grow, open up, and be amended to meet the needs of a vastly growing sport. The building houses the needs for the development at both the professional level as well as the youth level, and itself can become a representational icon for what the sport is and will be in the future while providing fans with as little disconnect and maximum overlap between the players, the game, and the Rugby culture as possible. The proposed site to be (re?)used is the Civic Arena given the flexibility of the space with regards to land, parking, infrastructure and so forth.
Make Something v.2
Graphic detailing elements of Rugby that remain static and ones which must remain open ended when undergoing substantial growth and interest over time. This has led me towards an exploration of open ended building techniques, structural systems, and programmatic elements which will adjust and be supplemented in time to reflect the growing popularity of Rugby in the immediate region & the larger context of the nation.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Method
To begin, I must establish a deep familiarity with rugby and its history and development. I will research the sport from inception to current development and growth on a country by country basis. The focus will be on the countries where the sport is held in highest regards. This research will establish an encompassing timeline varying from country to country.
Next, I will identify approximately where on the timeline the United States rugby program is currently closest to, and determine what direction the sport is heading to from there. Through mapping and research, this will help me determine a trajectory for the future of U.S.A. rugby in the context of the world.
I will then observe and study foreign stadium & training ground typologies to determine how they function and grew within their given contexts. These grounds can range from small to large, and along with the timeline will help me understand the scale that the project will begin to require.
The next step of research consists of observing already established United States typologies. This will be aimed at looking at how they are successful, how they are not, and how future projects of the same type must be capable of adaptability and flexibility to accommodate the rapid growth of the sport within the context of the United States.
After these steps of research are completed, a process of evaluation of data and refinement will be implemented. This will result in a re-statement of the intent, scale, and program for the current and future development of my project and other projects similar to it.
The final steps will be to carry out the project starting with site selection, design, and so forth.
Next, I will identify approximately where on the timeline the United States rugby program is currently closest to, and determine what direction the sport is heading to from there. Through mapping and research, this will help me determine a trajectory for the future of U.S.A. rugby in the context of the world.
I will then observe and study foreign stadium & training ground typologies to determine how they function and grew within their given contexts. These grounds can range from small to large, and along with the timeline will help me understand the scale that the project will begin to require.
The next step of research consists of observing already established United States typologies. This will be aimed at looking at how they are successful, how they are not, and how future projects of the same type must be capable of adaptability and flexibility to accommodate the rapid growth of the sport within the context of the United States.
After these steps of research are completed, a process of evaluation of data and refinement will be implemented. This will result in a re-statement of the intent, scale, and program for the current and future development of my project and other projects similar to it.
The final steps will be to carry out the project starting with site selection, design, and so forth.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Position Paper v.1.1
Architecture has the ability to aid the advancement of rugby in the United States while benefiting the local Pittsburgh community.
Ever since a national collegiate rugby tournament was televised on major networks this past summer, rugby as a sport has continued to grow at a remarkable scale in the United States. The Rugby World Cup in the summer of 2011 will be the most televised rugby event in the United States to date, and rugby will continue to hold its place as one of the fastest growing sports amongst young people today. There are less than a handful of regulation qualified facilities in the country. With this growing interest and influence among a young audience, an epicenter can be established within Pittsburgh not only for the growth of rugby, but also for a growing responsibility to strive for common good within the local community.
By looking at the most prominent example set in Glendale, Colorado, the underlying factors which have made the building and the local community such a success can be determined (http://www.glendale.co.us/). This city center has not only massively advanced the growth of rugby nation-wide, but it has boosted the local community commerce immensely. Glendale is a one by one square mile city within Denver that has now become the home for everything that is United States Rugby, nicknamed "Rugbytown, USA". Players and fans travel from around the world to watch rugby at this facility. This in turn boosts local hotel industry, restaurants, and other commercial entities within this small city. Not only does this building serve as a rugby epicenter, but the city center, fire department, police, and other community services are based in this building and park. Thus, this facility can serve as a major community center and influence the inhabitants of the local area outside the realm of simply rugby.
The goal would be to form a standard for the continued growth of the sport through the establishment of a conveniently located community complex withing Pittsburgh. This building would serve not only support the cause of USA Rugby, but also drive and encourage community betterment and welfare through engaging youth programs and facilities.
Ever since a national collegiate rugby tournament was televised on major networks this past summer, rugby as a sport has continued to grow at a remarkable scale in the United States. The Rugby World Cup in the summer of 2011 will be the most televised rugby event in the United States to date, and rugby will continue to hold its place as one of the fastest growing sports amongst young people today. There are less than a handful of regulation qualified facilities in the country. With this growing interest and influence among a young audience, an epicenter can be established within Pittsburgh not only for the growth of rugby, but also for a growing responsibility to strive for common good within the local community.
By looking at the most prominent example set in Glendale, Colorado, the underlying factors which have made the building and the local community such a success can be determined (http://www.glendale.co.us/). This city center has not only massively advanced the growth of rugby nation-wide, but it has boosted the local community commerce immensely. Glendale is a one by one square mile city within Denver that has now become the home for everything that is United States Rugby, nicknamed "Rugbytown, USA". Players and fans travel from around the world to watch rugby at this facility. This in turn boosts local hotel industry, restaurants, and other commercial entities within this small city. Not only does this building serve as a rugby epicenter, but the city center, fire department, police, and other community services are based in this building and park. Thus, this facility can serve as a major community center and influence the inhabitants of the local area outside the realm of simply rugby.
The goal would be to form a standard for the continued growth of the sport through the establishment of a conveniently located community complex withing Pittsburgh. This building would serve not only support the cause of USA Rugby, but also drive and encourage community betterment and welfare through engaging youth programs and facilities.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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