1. The Block, The Street & The Building
A Comprehensive Set of Design Principles
November 2010
2. Design Principles
The Charter of the New Urbanism 23. Streets and squares should be
safe, comfortable, and interesting to
26. All buildings should provide
their inhabitants with a clear
The Block, The Street & The Building the pedestrian. Properly configured, sense of location, weather and
they encourage walking and enable time. Natural methods of heating
19. A primary task of all urban 21. The revitalization of urban neighbors to know each other and and cooling can be more resource-
architecture and landscape design places depends on safety and protect their communities. efficient than mechanical systems.
is the physical definition of security. The design of streets and
streets and public spaces as places buildings should reinforce safe
of shared use. environments, but not at the expense
of accessibility and openness.
24. Architecture and landscape design 27. Preservation and renewal of
should grow from local climate, historic buildings, districts, and
topography, history, and building landscapes affirm the continuity and
practice. evolution of urban society.
20. Individual architectural projects
should be seamlessly linked to their 22. In the contemporary metropolis,
surroundings. This issue transcends development must adequately
style. accommodate automobiles. It should
do so in ways that respect the
pedestrian and the form of public
space. 25. Civic buildings and
public gathering places
require important sites
to reinforce community
identity and the culture
of democracy. They
deserve distinctive form,
because their role is
different from that of
other buildings and
places that constitute
the fabric of the city.
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3. Design Principles
The Tran sect
Boundary St.
Bellamy Curve
5 min. walk
Ribaut Rd.
10 min. walk
Bladen St.
Neighborhood
Downtown Beaufort
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4. Design Principles
Integratio n
Design
Implementation
Service
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5. Design Principles
Block & Building Design
Civitas: The Principle: Practice:
Complete City Block design is an important,
collaborative effort between the
–Assess the natural amenities of the
site and incorporate when possible.
master plan of the neighborhood
Beautiful Streets and the architectural design. This –Determine best building for
level of design links the macro- site and develop using local
materials,building traditions, and
Civic Spaces concepts with the micro-engineering
climatic responses. (ie - tall windows,
needed to implement great urbanism.
The design process should be a deep eaves, porches, etc)
Meaningful seamless collaboration between
–Provide for flexibility in work
planner, architect, and engineer to
Arch itect u re ensure that the greatest spatial and
spaces and allow for agriculture/
craftspaces to be incorporated into
experiential needs of a project are
Liva ble Places upheld by all parties involved.
the site.
Process:
–Determine the transect and design
accordingly.
–Understand regional building
traditions and climatic responses and
incorporate when possible.
–Incorporate local building materials
such as timber, stone, brick, etc, when
available.
–Understand product mix and
incorporate maximum diversity and
flexibility into the buildings to
promote sustainability over time.
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6. Design Principles
Principles of Block & Building Design
Public Realm
Diversity
Accessibility
Context
Flexibility
Formal Typologies
Security
Environment
Food
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7. Design Principles
Public Real m
Creatio n of Principle: Practice:
Civic Value An authentic and meaningful public
realm is a prerequisite for a true
–Strive for meaningful axial
relationships which engages the
place. The ideal public realm is pedestrian to a greater whole.
Public Spaces defined by well designed landmarks,
buildings, streets and spaces, and the –Design unique spaces which add to
the experience of each place.
Streets sequences of interaction between them.
The public realm encourages social
–Incorporate a meaningful water
interaction, creates economic value,
Semi-Public Spaces and helps to organize everyday
features to engage the pedestrian
when possible.
life. True communities cannot exist
Private Gifts to the without this public realm.
–Apply intentional micro design
components (street furniture,
Street Process:
water features, infrastructure)
–Carve out spaces within each block – consider regional methods and
while considering the different materials to create a sense of
functions each space might identity
accommodate. These spaces should
be designed to provide a sense of –Incorporate appropriate local
security and comfort to the user vegetation into the landscape design
(transect dependent)
–Consider the relationship between
realms: private public/semi-public/ –Incorporate buildings based
private realm upon appropriate form, scale, and
proportion to space, not use.
–Consider the elements that make up
the experience of the public realm –Encourage and design -Gifts to
(spaces, landmarks, etc) the street- as appropriate to each
building and the spaces they define.
–Consider foreground and background
relationships and the spatial
qualities each require
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9. Design Principles
Diver sity
A Place For Principle:
–Understand parking requirements
Everyo ne Diversity of type is the appropriate
integration of different uses and
and configurations
dwelling types within a block. This –Develop the appropriate selection of
Accommodate Peo ple diversity of type and size should flexible plans
occur on a block level rather than
of All Ag es & Income a neighborhood level. As a result, –Consider functional requirements
Le vels the diversity of type will encourage for added growth/density and plan
diversity in others areas such as appropriately for it
a broader user and inhabitant mix,
Accommodate Many Types thus fostering a more authentic and
of Fa milies true community
Process:
Accommodate Many Types
–Utilize different building types and
of Businesses sizes to avoid homogenous blocks
–Consider growth on lot or block
Allow Growth & Chang e with secondary units (infill/mother-
in-law)
wh ile Remaining in the
–Consider overall project unit mix
Neig hborhood and its- relationship to the existing
neighborhood mix
Practice:
–Flexible lot lines or platting
process
–Understand desired ownership models
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10. Design Principles
Diver sity in Beaufort
A mixt u re of unit types are
arrang ed with in th is o ne block,
including: houses, live-works,
attached houses & carriag e
houses.
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11. Design Principles
Accessibility
Multiple Ways to Principle: Practice:
Get Around Well designed circulation for both
vehicular and pedestrian activity
–Create pleasant pedestrian
experience through use of mid-block
is a key component to good urbanism. passages – transect dependent
Allow Diver se Mod es of A friendly and safe environment
for scooters, bikes, and pedestrians –Integrate alley closer design
Tran sportatio n: is equally important if not more techniques
so than a well-planned connection
–Internalize parking/service or
Walking, Bikes, C ar s, for cars. At the block level, a
shield with elements
great network of connections should
Busses contribute to the experience of place
–Review life- safety requirements
as well.
Accommodate Service & –Contribute specific comments for
Process: final street design and calibration
Fire in a Reaso na ble including alleys
–Analyze block and masterplan to
Manner understand fine grained circulation
–Block sizes should be between
patterns
1200-3000- depending on transect
Create Healthy –Access to parking and service areas (perimeter measurement)
should be well thought through
Communities that
–Understand and review street
encou rag e physical sections and design intent
activity
–Review and understand FHA and ADA
requirements
–Understand any specialized use
requirements such as retail.
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12. Design Principles
Accessibility in Beaufort
The typical s treetscape in
th is neig hborhood should be
comforta ble for walker s, biker s
and car s. On-s treet parking
provid es a b uffer between
peo ple and car s.
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13. Design Principles
Co ntext
Grow With in Principle:
Beaufort's Exis ting Blocks are pieces of a larger network
of neighborhoods, streets, and
Urban Fa bric districts. Block design should be
appropriate for its location within
its overall context and transect.
Co nnect to the Exis ting
Neig hborhood Process:
–Understand the overall master plan
Use His toric Character in terms of hierarchy and sequence
of space.
as Starting Point DN A
–Understand any specialized use
requirements such as retail.
Be Sen sitive to the
–Analyze the building scale and
Exis ting Uses transect of the surrounding area.
Grow Appro priately Practice:
According to Positio n –Determine appropriate foreground
and background relationships.
in the Regio n
-–Incorporate buildings into their
appropriate place according to their
spatial hierarchy and functional
requirements.
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14. Design Principles
Co ntext in Beaufort
Boundary St.
Bellamy Curve
5 min. walk
Ribaut Rd.
10 min. walk
BOUNDA
BOUNDARY ST
BOUNDA
BOUNDARY ST
UNDARY
UNDA
NDA
ND Beaufort Historic Preservation
Preservati
Plan Update - Contributing Bldgs.
B
Bladen St. Beaufort, South Carolina
Neighborhood
Downtown Beaufort
Old Commons
Northwest Quadrant
The Point
The Bluff
EN
EN
Legend
gend
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Downtown
Non-Contributing Building
SE
E
15. Design Principles
Flexibility
The Ability to Principle:
Adapt Blocks should be designed with
flexibility for future growth,
use, and inhabitants. They should
Buildings Chang e in anticipate and allow for natural
evolution over time, while seeing the
Many Ways Over Time: present needs of the community
Size, Use, Spatial Process:
De finitio n –Understand expansion and growth
opportunities
Blocks C an Infill –Understand changing use
requirements
Gradually
–Analyze local historic towns to
understand how they have changed
Multiple and Diver se
and evolved over time.
Spaces and Buildings
Practice:
–Place utilities in a way that does
not impede growth
–Design access to allow for different
uses and users
–Design service/access area to
commercial standards
–Build in future service/trash area
for conversion to commercial use
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16. Design Principles
Flexibility in Beaufort
Existing Buildings
Phase 1: Infill the
edges of the block
Phase 2: Infill the
middle of the block
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17. Design Principles
Formal Typologies
Simple, Clear Forms Principle:
allow Block Rhythm Blocks are composed of building
forms. These forms are derived
& Heirarchy from rational, local, and
regional typologies. A thorough
Blocks & Spaces should understanding of applicable forms
should be achieved prior to block
be De fined by Building and neighborhood design.
Forms wh ich have a
Process:
Root in the Regio n:
–A thorough precedent study should
eg. Charles to n Sid eyard, take place to determine relevant
types applicable to region, climate,
Beaufort "T" and scale. Blocks are then composed
of forms based on choice of scale and
Forms should Take proportion, not use.
Correct Pro portio n for Practice:
their Scale
–Incorporate massing study as design
Create Healthy tool whenever possible.
Communities that –Design rational, simple plans
encou rag e physical that function inside the chosen
forms. They should be flexible and
activity expandable as necessary.
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18. Design Principles
Formal Typologies in Beaufort
Cottage
House
Attached House
Carriage House
Shopfront
Live-Work
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19. Design Principles
Secu rity
–Provide mixture of uses to promote
Everyo ne Should Principle:
people using spaces at all times.
Feel Safe Where Safety and Security are vital to
all people in all conditions. Spaces
–Provide Multiple low level human
They Live should provide this feeling whether
scale street lighting.
they are public or private. –Small Alley units often can help
Eyes o n the Street: Process: control sight into /from alleys.
Porches, Windows, Alley Units –Understand and apply good closure
proportion to streets and spaces.
De fined Spaces with
–Public to Private realm transition
Good Lig hting and be willing to define each
clearly.
Boundaries: Fences, Walls, –Cultivate ways to promote people
interacting and observing streets and
Hedg es & Material Chang es spaces. -Eyes on the Street-
–Understand the security is
Activity: Peo ple should be
often achieved via openness and
seen and be seen watch ing transparency vs. closure.
Vertical Enclosu re: via
Practice:
b uildings, landscaped or
–Provide defined edges on spaces via
fences, with good pro portio n s design of fences, walls or hedges.
–Provide windows and porches to
engage streets.
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20. Design Principles
Secu rity in Beaufort
The interior s of each block
create safe places for ch ildren
and fa milies. The lanes and
internal spaces have b uildings
fro nting o n them to en su re they
are closely watched.
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21. Design Principles
Enviro nment
Live in Harmo ny Principle: Practice:
with the Local Sustainability at the block level
promotes integration of local
–Consider solar control methods such
as south facing porches and building
Climate climatic conditions, topography, soil heights. Understand available energy
conditions, and available regional technology options and apply as
materials. The block composition appropriate.
Provid e Outdoor Rooms should consider opportunities
–Place hose bibs on porches, design
Landscaped with Local for local food, reuse/sharing
of resources, and orientation of closets for gardening tool storage
Species building forms.
–Limit buildings to 10 minute
Allow Buildings to Process: vertical walking distance: not to
exceed 5 stories.
–Consider heating/cooling methods for
Rotate to Address Sun & building orientation and form. –Reduce parking requirements
Wind where possible for economic and
–Consider block level technologies, sustainability reasons.
resources, equipment, and
Water: Run-off/ infrastructure. –Proper placement of yards and
gardens with regard to necessary
Retentio n/C apt u re –Understand regional building sun/light needs.
materials and construction
techniques.
Building Form Designed –Accommodate alternative
transportation options by providing
–Consider Light Imprint toolkit for
to Ventilate & Shad e managing stormwater on a block
block and neighborhood transit
level. stops, bike storage, car charging
stations, etc.
–Consider ability for dwelling units
to grow and/or process food.
–Understand alternative
transportation options.
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22. Design Principles
Enviro nment in Beaufort
Th is typical lot shows a house
oriented with a south or
wes t facing porch, an outdoor
space d e fined by the rear
outb uilding, and a fountain to
capt u re rain water.
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23. Design Principles
Food
garden use.
Eat Locally Principle:
–Provide civic spaces where food can
All people should have direct access
be sold and purchased such as a
Every Unit o n a Block to local food and nourishment. This
farmer's market or produce stand
should be a multiple scales and at
should have the Ability all locations with in a transect.
to Produce & Acquire Process:
Local Food: –Review Food and Garden strategies
on a neighborhood level. Where
Window Box, Roof can food be grown? Where can it be
sold and purchased with in walking
Gard en, Kitchen Gard en, distance?
Communal Block Gard en, –Block or Neighborhoods may have
communal gardens in addition to
Neig hborhood Community individual gardens.
Gard en, Farmer's Market –Provide each unit with some type of
garden or growing area.
–Understand climate and sun demands
on growing areas.
Practice:
–Provide tool storage near
community garden area.
–Provide water access near
community garden area.
–Reclaim roof or grey water for
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24. Design Principles
Food in Beaufort
Agricultural Plaza
E E F
D
F C
A B
F E
F E E E
Plaza Key
A. Community Garden
B. Market Square/parking
C. Market Plaza
D. Market Store
E. Food/Craft-based Live-Work
F. Incubator food-based retail
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