5. Introduction [natural systems]
Ecology. the movement of a simple
substance through the soil, rocks,
water, atmosphere, and living organisms
of the earth.
.1
_005
6. The physical world is made-up of biotic and abi-
otic elements. How these elements interact forms
the world around us. Nature has developed cy-
clical systems working between these two bodies
giving life to death. It does so in a highly efficient
manner allowing for complexity and diversity of
life.
On the opposite end of this spectrum is the mod-
ern city. It’s system is linear. It’s only concern is
commerce and expansion assembled on a birth to
death production line. In the end, most products
are disguarded with high quantities of byproducts
dumped into the air, land and rivers. Whereas in
nature, waste is constantly cycled back to other
forms of life. Linear sysems are limited and short
lived which means the current sysem we live by
in the city will fail under social and biological fac-
tors. Ever since man decided he was above na-
ture and separate from it is when the city began,
and with it came commerce and industry as we
know it today. Those early cities were polluting on
a smaller scale, we’ve just exacerbated the prob-
lem. Businesses should act more like part of a eco-
logical system in which waste is eliminated and
used by another company. Mutual relationships
between inputs and outputs.
combustion
fossil fuel
10. Bakersfield, CA holds the title of ‘Dirtiest City
in America’ according to the American
Lung Association. Like many cities around
the country, Bakersfield suffers from wide-
spread suburban sprawl and inefficient in-
frastructure leading to toxic waste buildup
in the atmosphere. Other social issues such
as massive commuter traffic, oil companies
polluting, farming burn-off and surrounding
cities whose smog ends up right in Bakers-
field’s backyard is only adding to the exist-
ing problem. So what? Why should we care
when these forces also contribute to com-
merce and growth of a city? The answer is
buildup of toxic greenhouse gases is not only
destructive and deadly to plants and ani-
mals in the community but people as well.
Sixty days out of the year it is unsafe to go
for a run in Bakersfield because of bad air
quality. This has a direct impact on health-
care causing cancer and heart disease.
The problem is bad air quality. Tackling
something that cannot be seen is difficult
but possible and biology has the answer.
The strategy is to approach the city with a
“system” or network of connected systems
12. which act as catalyst to the greater prob-
lem. Think urban acupuncture. By pinpoint-
ing blighted locations within the urban fabric
and using them as tourniquets to the heal-
ing process of the city. These ‘needles’ will
be activation points within the city that may
or may not be physically connected but
share similar qualities. Megatropolis cities
like those in China and Europe have begun
to address pollution with Biology and Tech-
nology. Lack of densifying within the city
of Bakersfield has caused mass suburban
sprawl, so by looking at projects that seek to
connect the community through adaptive
reuse becomes one tactic to addressing this
issue. By combining and applying these tac-
tics to a location in need of infill the larger
scale problem can begin to be addressed.
Through multiple catalyst-like systems put
into place within the urban fabric, a cleans-
ing can take place and healing of Bakers-
field’s ecology can begin.
systeminbalance
16. We exist as a collection of memories. From birth
we are exposed to various environments effecting
both the phyical and pyschological “self.” Certain
instances we naturally gravitate toward. For me,
those instances have come to define the ‘self’
through various media. These instances can also
be thought of as influences.
Love+art
people
Life+Death
places
18. art + science
Art is a very powerful influence. As an single par-
ticipant, it can be a form of self expression, as a
community it becomes identity. Art has always
been a part of my life since childhood. It is about
creativity. Pushing us to think differently about the
world around us. Art is the air we breathe.
20. music
Music, like art, is a powerful tool to tap into cre-
ativity and architecture. It has been said that ar-
chitecture is frozen music. It possesses rhythm,
movement, repetition and deepth. It can be a
secondary effect to an environment becoming
part of the experience of space. Knowing this cre-
ates opens the possibility of better user environ-
ments.
22. biophiliac
noun. A biophiliac, one who gets aroused by
nature.
“ I think I’m a biosexual. Flowers turn me on, I
have eco-erotic thoughts. The liquid trickle of the
stream-flow lapping over the rocks makes my
juices flow. My loins are moist soil. My nipples re-
spond to the tiny cupped lips of flower petals...”
.La tigresa, Dona Nieto
23. Buddhist believe all things are connected, abiot-
ic and biotic elements alike. Architecture should
seek to be in balance with these elements.
_023
24. personal
influences
There are many people who have come to influ-
ence and shape me as a designer. Most of these
individuals share a common ground for being
progressive. Pushing and distorting the limits of
their world. People like Christo and Jean Claude
pushed art in a direction that had never been
experimented with before. John Pawson whose
minimal arhecture is about pushing light and form.
Amid architects who are pushing ecology into ev-
ery form of architecture. It is people like this and
others who are constantly shaping and reshaping
the way I preceive the world we live in.
27. n. A particular position or point in
space.
Location [place].4
_027
28. In the early days of Hollywood, Bakersfield was
considered the pit-stop town on the way to Los
Angeles. It was the only place along the long val-
ley stretch wtih a developing center core. Discov-
ered in the late eighteen hundreds, the area was
originally a tule-reed covered marshland. The cli-
mate here has long hot summers followed by cool,
wet and foggy winters which are ideal for a wide
variety of crops. Along with fertile soil colonization,
oil was discovered and the population in the area
boomed. Today, agriculture and oil still dominate
the region and the effects of exploiting non-re-
newable resources has begun to show face.
Bakersfield, Ca
san francisco
30. If we look at Bakersfield relative to a more global
scale, we can see the effects natural wind cycles
are having on local climate. Twenty-five percent
of China’s smog travels along ocean wind currents
moving across water and mountain ranges until
it reaches California’s below sea level valley. This
means Bakersfield’s citizens are having to breathe
in smog producted from the factories pumping
out consumer demand-driven products.
Global Effects
32. The valley has become dominated by farming.
The high-lighted area shows the counties with the
most arable soil. Not only does it feed local mar-
kets but markets across the continental U.S. as
well. This has driven the growth and commerce of
the state. This inturn has had heavy tolls on natu-
ral ecosystmes. Rivers and lake beds have been
depleted, old growth trees cut down and dozens
of other habitats destroyed in the process. Loss of
green life means less plants to intake carbon di-
oxide and filterout other toxic compounds in the
earth. This leaves Bakersfield in a vulnerable con-
dition.
The Valley
33.
34. Looking at the geology of place shows why Ba-
kersfield is in a toxic condition. Smog from other cit-
ies flowing into the valley and getting stuck there is
only part of the problem. Along with the build-up
of greenhouse gases from farming + agriculture
and the oil + transport industry, Suburban sprawl
and mass commuter transport have taken effect
as a result of being on the periphery to higher pay-
ing jobs. This has created a toxic social condition.
Local
NO
HNO3
X
NH NO4 3
37. Approach [methadology]
n. A system of methods used in a
particular area of study or activity.
Condition observed:
The health + life safety concern for the
community of Bakersfield.
.5
_037
38. [1]
Question of Inquiry
As a child, when you are told whether it is safe
or not to outside for a run because ‘bad air’ it
makes you question whether any else sees this
as a problem and why is no one doing anything
to change it. The question of inquiry then be-
comes a life and health concern for the users,
something architecture revolves around.
39. Toxic City: Cancer
What makes a city toxic?
Why is Bakersfield a toxic
breeding ground?
Health
+
Life Safety
40. What makes up the toxic city conditions? The
answer is made-up of multiple social issues.
[2]
Toxic City conditions
41. infrastructure that caters to vehicles
Disgregard for natural systems
Ecology
Connecting
Communities
Densifying
reliant on vehicular transportation
suburban sprawl destroying natural
habitat and needed farmland
Lack of art and culture
Lack of identity and sense of
commuity
mono-crops
Lack of haphazard outdoor gather
space
42. We can begin to collect data from multiple
sources that are developmental catalyst that
can be used as tactics to counteract the toxic
city conditions.
[3]
Interpret
45. Bakersfield Cactus rehabilitation
Local species to infill voids
Activation
Restoration
Art + Play
Urban acupunture
Adaptable reuse
Return to Natural state
Second life of building
Communal spaces
Haphazard possibilities
46. Current conditions where low-moderate income is kept on the periphery
to the commerical district.
47. Voids can be identified and links found to connect the community in a
rich network.
_047
48.
49. Observations [literature]
n. A remark, statement, or comment based
on something one has seen, heard, or
noticed.
Literature relative to what has and is
being done in ecology and architecture
intergration.
.6
_049
50. Central District Development Agency of
Bakersfield. Bakersfieldcity.us site current
status
Data: Relative quantitative information such as
redevelopment plans and historical data is impor-
tant to understand the site and surrounding con-
text. Past, present and future observations begin
to inform us of the direction in which Bakersfield is
headed.
Jane Jacobs. The Death and Life of Great
American Cities. A catalyst to urban blight
“A generalized neighborhood park that is not
headquarters for the leisured indigent can be-
come populated naturally and casually only by
being situated very close indeed to where active
and different currents of life and funciton come to
focus. If downtown, it must get shoppers, visitros
and strollers as well as downtown workers. If not
downtown, it must still be where life swirls-where
there is work, cultural, residential and commeri-
cal activity- as much as possible of everything dif-
ferent that cities can offer. The main problem of
neighborhood park planning boils down to the
problem of nurturing diversified neighborhoods
capable of using and supporting
parks.” (131).
Jacobs clearly defines adaptable points within
the urban fabric, something to be taken into
51. Paul Hawken. Ecology and Commerce.
how they can and should function together in a symbiotic
relationship.
“Natural Step begins with cellular biology, The
cell is only concerned with the conditions nec-
essary for sustaining and propagating life. Cells
grew and evolved over billions of years through
self-sustaining cycles where all waste is constantly
cycled back to other forms of life. Cyclical Biologi-
cal Activity can be the only source of life because
all linear systems (by function and definition) are
limited and short lived.” (52) What is great about
Paul Hawken’s book is that he not only outlines
why ecosystems are suffering but also resolutions
and tactics to implement in todays built environ-
ment. These include ‘Dematerialization’ and ‘De-
carbonization’ (64), both of which are relevant to
the project. If positive relationships can be found
and set as examples of a more beneficial world,
future projects can develop on such prototypes
that Bakersfield is lacking in.
account with Bakersfield. The old town redevel-
opment plan lies between ‘swirls’ of contact and
mixing that Jacobs’ speaks about. If we pay at-
tention to how the street life functions, then a ben-
eficial environment can be created for all users.
_051
52. TedTalks. TED.com. progressive and experimental implementations
Designers, Biologist and other professionals discuss
new and and innovative ways of interpreting and
evolving our built environment. Janine Benyus
shares nature’s designs.
12 examples of Biomimicry and how they can in-
fluence the products and systems we build. Skins
that are self cleaning, glass that behaves more
like masonry and materials that self-assemble are
just a few examples of this. How is this relevant to
the project? If we can make materials that are
more plant like this completes the link in a cycle
of reuse. Aside from quantitantive factors, we can
learn about design implementations that bene-
fit the user. Humans of the modern world spend
more than 90% of their time indoors. Indoor me-
chanical ventilation decreases microbial diversity,
and increases potential pathogens resulting in a
unhealthy environment.
EPA. EPA.gov blight in the built environment and how to
counteract sustainably
When approaching a global issue like air pollu-
tion, the EPA is a relevant source for studies and
analysis already done on existing similar condi-
tions. The EPA takes into account all four forms of
the environement looking at how important it is to
understand how each process works for its reha-
bilitation, and Bakersfield is in desperate need of
rehabilitation and detoxification.
53. Living Building Challenge. ilbi.org projects
that come full circle.
Design e2. tap into the known
The Living Building Challenge clearly defines guide-
lines and principles that encompass much more
than just the tangible physical built environment.
This challenge incorporates elements of ecology,
social responsibility, beauty and most importantly
the user. For now, this is the most comprehensive
design guide.
Case studies are crucial in developing practical
buildable projects. Design e2 is a series of case
studies from multiple typologies of the built envi-
ronment. From progressive technology in fabrics
to development of poor communities, it provides
valuable information and scenerios for similar type
of conditions like those in Bakersfield. These types
of buildings serve to ground the project.
_053
56. Dead zones within the urban fabric are potential
rehabilitaion sites. These spots are left over lots,
parkings lots, brownfields, abandoned buildings
and other blighted areas that are under-utilized.
In Bakersfield, post-industrial downtown is full of
sites like these. Low to moderate income levels
are widespread in this area and food desert con-
ditions dominate forcing people to travel outside
of their neighborhood for basic needs. The street
furniture is unkept, cracked streets and unsafe or
unwelcoming sidewalks detour community mem-
bers from enjoying public space. For these reasons
alone it becomes critical that the project seek to
reverse these habits. Links should be made to con-
nect pedestrian pathways from the commnity to
civic activity and vise versa. These blighted plots
become activation points along these paths for
potential growth and play. By placing projects
that interject these paths then ownership by the
community begins to take place. Bringing people
outside of the house and onto the street is one of
the first steps to recovery.
Connecting communites
Public activation
57. Ecosistema Urbano- Air Tree Madrid - Creative Urban sustainability
Insertion of an temporary airtree-social dynamic
Reactivate the existing
Technological furniture in the city
Energy selfsufficient
Urban creativity to bring people together
_057
58. Sergio Palleroni-BaSiC initiative
Sustainable low-income housing
Local materials-not polluting. Strengthening local business, keeping jobs
When its a community effort, community ownership happens
Designers were forced to design and think sustainably about the homes
59. Megs field Conversion- Millennium Park
Privately paid for, city only built garage
Park+Art on a human scale making it inviting to locals and vistors alike
Green roof on city hall: displays sustainability features
_059
60. Filtering Skins
Eliminating green house gases
As the buildup of green house gases gather in the
central valley, the pressure for change becomes
more apparent. CO2 and Methane are just of a
few of these chemical compounds. Like most gas-
es, they are invisible. What can be done about
something in the air we can not see to contain?
Nature provides that answer. What we see as po-
tentially dangerous plants see as food. Vegeta-
tion alone can absorb high amounts of CO2, but
then the question becomes what about the other
toxic chemicals in the air? That is where modern
technology can play a significant role. By combin-
ing these two techniques a prototype filtering skin
can be designed.
61. Callebaut’s ‘Anti Smog: An Innovation Centre in Sustainable Development’ is a catalyst for cleaner
air.
Use latest renewable energies to fight smog.
A new architecture able to disasphyxiate the area in which it is set up, The whole building is recov-
ered by a layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as anatase, which by reacting to ultraviolet rays, enables
to reduce the air pollution
An ecological prototype of auto-sufficient, depolluting architecture, reactive to its environment
250 m² photovoltaic blue roof catches the sun rays to transform them in electrical energies
in addition to be an auto-cleaning building, will enable to absorb and recycle by photo-catalytic
effect the cloud of unhealthful effects (Smog) especially coming from the intense traffic of the very
close Parisian belt.
_061
62. Solar Building: Park on the roof
Many buildings in the downtown area have under utilized roof tops and this is an example of using green-
scape within the city to reduce CO2 buildup
soil + sedum green roof provide a substrate for plant life to live and filter surrounding air.
This layer nsulates in winter and ejects heat in summer.
Acts as a water retainer - storm water retention is recycled.
Mayor chose a symbol that the public could get excited about and turned into a green symbol for the
city.
63. 28 Storey Kowloon Office Tower
Located in China, this office is a bushy greenery-lined carpark in one.
The bushy carpark is not only aesthetically pleasing but controls the air quality by absorbing carbon
emissions from the incoming ground level air. The air is then filtered again and exhausted out the
top
A well developed project involving biology and architecture.
_063
64. NL Architects “Tower of Power” in Taiwan
Utilizes 600 wind turbines to produce 6 MW of electricity for the city.
Include observation deck, meeting space, office space, a museum, and parking. The lace-like sky-
scraper combines practical mixed use space with the ability to produce an impressive amount of
clean power for the city and filtering incoming air for users.
66. Education
Systems of sustainability
This class of building are coming full circle with their
projects on renewable energies and complete
cycle decisions. They have become examples of
what biology and technology can do together.
67. BIDV Tower, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Ken Yeang
Ecocells for a sustainable energy source
Skycourts
Sun Shading helping regulate heat
Veritcal Boulevard, vegeation integration
Roof Gardens for water retention
Wind Funnels, natural ventilation keeping harmful pathogens low.
_067
68. Plaza of Nations, vancover Canada, Ken Yeang
Ziggurat pattern of continuous planting-operable glass screen enclosure to provide winter garden-
opened during summer.
Irrigated by gray water recycling.
Passive air circulation facilitated by taking advantage of the stack effect micro wind turbines.
Solar shading.
Planting only indigenous plant species.
Ground-level parks/open space/ lots of seating.
Established a low-energy design.
70. Chicago Center for Green technology:
Laboratory of what green things can do.
Thousands of local residents use it to know what they can do in their homes to reduce energy cost
and be off the grid as well as smart water management and reusable materials.
73. Case Studies
n. A particular instance of something
used or analyzed in order to illustrate
a thesis or principle.
.8
_073
74. Magic Mountain
Ecosystem mask for Ames Thermal Power Station
Ames, Iowa Architect: AMID*cero9
Rethinking of the built environment as something
capable of giving back to the natural systems:
Power Station transformed into a vertical garden
with living technified walls. Local flora and fauna
data collected and applied. Perimeter pathway
cleared between shell and wall for post-construc-
tion maintenance. Shell is made of living matter
as a base in a grid recycled polypropylene pallets
on structural box grider attached mechanically
to the reinforced concrete walls of the power sta-
tion. Bring back nature to the city: Lost habitats
restored. Creating identity and giving back to the
community.
76. BLUR BUILDING
Pavillion for Swiss Expo 02
Architect: Diller + Scofidio
[SKIN + STRUCTURE]
Efficient tensegrity structure: Piles in the water sup-
port a tensegrity system of rectilinear struts and di-
agonal rods which cantilever out over the lake.
(Based of a Buckminster Fuller work form).Rethink
physical relationship to the building/ built environ-
ment: Mediums that are not necessarily tangible.
Filtering lake water while creating form. Users are
given a personality test and suits that lightup based
on characteristics. These traits are then translated
into colors so like people are attracted to eacho-
ther, creating spontaneous interactions between
individuals.
78. MMAA Office
Qatar, United Arab Emirates
Architect: Aesthetics Architects GO group
[Biomimicry]
Designed for its environment: energy efficient with
shades on windows retracting depending on in-
tensity of the heat. Behaves similar to how a cacti
performs transpiration. Waste water management
through botanical garden at base, waste water
is pumped into 3 different systems. Use of helpful
bacteria, fungi, plants, snails, clams and fish that
thrive on breaking down and digesting pollutants
keep a closed loop system.
79.
80. Scala Tower
Copenhagen
Architect: Bjarke Ingels
[PROGRAM + CONTEXT SYMBIOSIS]
Guilding principles: Relate base to the scale of the
surrouding buildings + relate building to the histor-
ic Copenhagen skyline...slim towers in the horizon.
Morphed ideas: Base + Tower spiral up together
making public space an integrated part of the
structure. Getting people to sit, stay and play.
83. Quality of space. Users, light, sound?
What should you feel: place to stop and
rest. Material: non-toxic, reused,
recyclable.
Space Relations [program].9
_083
84. Proposal
Currently, Bakersfield is the target of healthcare
organizations across the nation, and one of those
is the American Lung Association who label the
city “Dirtiest City in America”. Why is Bakersfield in
the condition that it is? The area’s geology makes
this clear. The city lies in the San Joaquin valley
putting it in a type of sinkhole, making the area
a gathering point for greenhouse gas buildup.
This in turn leads to many social and healthcare
issues for the local community. Through biology
and technology we can begin to see a reversal
of the negative effects farming, oil companies
and vehicular smog have caused to the natural
environment. Bakersfield has great potential to
be a clean power source and in turn be benefi-
cial for its community members. A systems type
approach based around the idea of urban acu-
puncture is the strategy. Networks based around
rehabilitation of communities can act as catalyst
for the city by cleaning the air and connecting
communities.
Biomimicry may hold many of the answers to the
questions revolving around the healing of Bakers-
field. Most of the activity happening in the city
is self-destructive in nature. Massive amounts of
commuters traveling to and from LA County for
work each and everyday is just one example of
the disconnect from natural cycles. Biomimicry
teaches us that nature works in cycles and all forms
of energy and production should be available lo-
cally. Today’s linear thinking of birth-to-death in
the products we make and use only results in ex-
ponential amounts of waste. This means
we should be thinking about buildings second life,
adaptive-reuse and recycling of waste and ener-
gy within a building.
This project should also seek to strengthen the
community as a whole and discourage suburban
sprawl. A successful project gives ownership to the
people, making local community members feel
connected to the project. The user must never be
forgotten in the design while considering these
goals. If the structure is more of hin drance than
benefit to human use, how can this be considered
anything beneficial to society as a whole? The av-
erage person spends close to ninety percent of
their day indoors and when you consider the psy-
chological effects the built environment can have
on an individual it becomes clear why it is impera-
tive that good design start with principles based
off well-designed structures revolving around the
user.
By combining these two goals a system can
be developed with specific goals and principals
to be applied within Bakersfield’s void spots. These
dead-zones within the inner city will act together
to re-establish connections with communities and
allow the city to breathe better.
86. Community Gathering
Program
The research and decision making process that identifies the scope of work to be
designed.
Functional + operational requirements.
What is the site potential?
87. he scope of work to
outdoor activited space - playground
entertainment
greenscape
urban agriculture
human scale
walkability
exhibition space - art studio
theater
restaurant - cafe
housing
_087
91. How does it work?
.10 Order and Organization [logics]
_091
92. Should the relationship of the building to the street
and surrounding context open vertical or horizon-
tal? What are the circulation routes across the site
and do any of these influence the form through
stacking, twisting, splitting or detached? Should
certain uses be grouped or isolated? What kind
of materiality and assembly is appropriate to the
site? Are there conditional restrictions to the site?
These are questions that improve quality of space
and give ties from the building to the community
at large.
CIVIC / TRANSPORT AREA
93. Vertical vs. Horizontal
Why vertical?
Vertical has density benefits. One of the main fac-
tors breaking down a community is lack of diver-
isty and density. A vertical form provides space
for various income types and multi-use space. The
down side to this form is the disconnect from high
space to lower space. The vertical form can be
unapproachable in monolithic representation.
_093
94. Vertical vs. Horizontal
Why Horizontal?
Horizontal has a physically more appealing form
in relationship to the surrounding context. Very few
buildings rise above four stories in the old town dis-
trict meaning a mid-rise would feel alien to its en-
vironment. Horizontal structures innately relate to
the pedestrian by being on the human scale mak-
ing it approachable.
95. MILL CREEK PARK
Grouped vs. fractal
Why grouped?
Programs which have an isoated nature tend to
exclude other opportunities for haphazard user in-
teraction. The designer may have intentions for a
spaces use but ultimately the space and function
over time and for various reasons changes allow-
ing for new possiblities. These possibilities allow for
an evolving architecture, something dead space
left out.
_095
96. MILL CREEK PARK
Materiality
This project revolves around adaptive reuse of
existing structures. With this in mind, materiality
should focus on retaining materials on site that
can be put to a new use or remain structurally
sound. The second phase is to incorporate local
materials that are reuseable, biodegradable and
do not have negative effects on the environment
in its processing or embodied energy. Designing
in this fashion ensures a sustainable educational
environment.
97. Conditions
There are certain restrictions and parameters with
which the project can revolve around. The main
focus is connecting the site with existing circula-
tion paths. A dominate feature is the water canal
running from the central park down to the civic
area of downtown. This is a perfect opportunity
to tie into and link the project. Other conditional
criteria like low to modern income in the area be-
gin to determine program. Because the focus is
adaptive reuse this sets another restriction on site
location. All three of these conditions alone tells
us where and what type of architecture the site
calls for.
_097
98. CIVIC / TRANSPORT AREA
Possibilities.
From the art studio to the park to the civic center:
connecting the community is the first step towards
a higher of living for the citizens of Bakersfield.
