4. OURCHALLENGE
We have been given the opportunity to
rethink the landscape, and other exterior
conditions of the Gammage Auditorium, I
can envision the landscape becoming just
as majestic and dynamic as the Frank
Lloyd Wright building itself.
There are many challenges currently on
this site. The area’s main purposes as of
now are parking and the performances. It
is lacking an environment made for
pedestrian comfort which results in an
underutilized site for a majority of the time.
The site has great potential to be a place
for people to gather, move, and
collaborate with other members of
both the ASU and Valley
community but will need to
undergo some design
changes.
Intro
Needs access route to ASU
More focus on the pedestrian
Underutilized space
Doesn’t relate to surroundings
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
― Arthur Ash
5. CIRCULATION
Intro
Improve pedestrian conditionsTree lined walks
“As people are walking all the time, in the same spot, a path appears.”
― John Locke
This site needs to be able to function with
a great number of people circulating
during a large show to fewer people on a
regular basis.
Well designed circulation creates a
balance between pedestrians and
vehicles. However the amount of space
being utilized as parking spaces gives
vehicles priority. To restore the balance
there needs to be a shift in design.
While still allowing for drop off zones and
parallel parking I am proposing removing
the parking lots and assigning parking to
the structures on ASU’s campus.
6. USE
Intro
“Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time
the immortal movement of its time.” ― Karl Marx
This is an area with great potential for
collaboration, community gatherings, and
sharing of research for future
improvements. It is also a great
opportunity for the many different fields
represented at ASU to enlighten others of
their work.
I want to encourage as much use of the
space as possible. By creating spaces for
outdoor education, music education,
gallery space, community gathering,
gardens, pocket-parks, and circulation
corridors, everyone will be able to find a
way to utilize the space.
Outdoor Education
Bus StopMusic Education
Plaza
Community Gathering
GardenPocket parks
7. PROGRAM
The program, or way in which the space is
used, currently is limited. With a fresh look
and support, the area can developed into
an endless number of opportunities.
Gammage Auditorium currently hosts
many events, including hit musicals and
Broadway plays. This year Gammage is
celebrating 50 years of top quality
entertainment. With a bright future ahead,
it seems that the purpose of the space
should be broadened to encompass the
vast possibilities of the large exterior
space.
Having a place where the community and
ASU students can come together
would be a great way to begin
our progression forward
into the next 50 years.
Intro
“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.”
― John Maeda
Big name shows Public gathering
Community markets Outdoor learning
8. WRIGHT’SLEGACY
Gammage is a famous Frank Lloyd Wright Building built in the Early 1960s, in fact it is known as one of FLW last
pieces before his death in 1959. The building was originally designed as an Opera house on an island in
Baghdad, Iraq, but after the Death of the Reigning King the project was set aside until the opportunity for an
auditorium at ASU came along. The program matched that of the Opera House and Frank was able to proceed
in building what we know today as Gammage Auditorium. It is on all the historic registries and by
progressing the landscape it will allow for the auditorium to be that much
more recognized for its unique and collaborative
efforts by university and community.
Intro
"A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is
made by way of a cultivated, enriched heart.“― Frank Lloyd Wright
9. I see Gammage as being an
opportunity to have a seamless
place of collaboration between
the educational and
professional communities and
unique new opportunities and
advances in all fields of study if
we are able to come together
and share knowledge from our
different perspectives.
By having Gammage as a
innovative center I have created
spaces focused on Community
and Education but are bridged
by the out reaching arms of
Gammage.
OVERALLCONCEPT
Vision
CommunityEducation
Gammage
Circulation Connections
Collaboration
Current Conditions
Concept Diagram
Redesigned Site
Intimate Entry
Outdoor Classroom
Community GatheringApache Curve
ASU
10. IDENTIFYINGTHEUSERS
To begin the design process it was imperative to take time to observe the people that use the space. I noted that
the area acts as a passage way from the surrounding community to the ASU Tempe campus. However the
current design presents several obstacles and inconveniences. This I where the pedestrian corridors derived
from. These corridors will provide a pleasant and inviting place for pedestrians moving through the site.
On nights of events you see the place in a new light, there are streams of people from all directions, looking for
friends and looking to find an entrance. By creating a clear entrance and meeting point for people who are on
the way to see the show the experience and flow will be more natural. The proposed center fountain will be the
element that will provide as a landmark to give people direction. It will also allow for a more pronounced
view from the Apache curve. Apache curve is the proposed location of the Tempe Streetcar,
the next project being planned by the Valley Metro.
This will result in fewer vehicle travel,
and more pedestrian use.
Vision
Not pedestrian friendly Private events in Gammage Large showings
http://www.valleymetro.org/projects_and_planning/project_detail/tempe_streetcar
11. MAKEITFUNCTIONAL
Movement through the site is a key
challenge I worked to solve. In order for a
design to be functional it needs to be
effective and provide for the needs of the
users.
Gammage is located on a university
campus providing a prime opportunity to
incorporate education into the landscape
by creating an outdoor classroom space.
Community involvement is a factor that
will start to form connections for students
outside of the university and exposure
between the professional community and
the perspective of the next generation
of thinking.
Vision
“The original idea makes design distinctive, function makes it work and
quality adds value.” ― Serge Zuev
12. THEPARKING
Gammage currently has a very vehicular dominant
presence. In order to have the pedestrian friendly and
welcoming environment that I envision for this site the
parking lots create too much resistance to the
pedestrian access. By removing them we can greatly
reduce the heat island effect and increase the
opportunities the space has for bringing the
Community and University together into a natural and
pleasant environment.
Alternatives for parking could be using current
structures for events, by assigning parking with the
show’s tickets. Also, on the horizon, construction is
soon to begin on an extensive underground parking
structure on Mill and University that will be providing.
additional parking for ASU and Gammage to utilize.
Vision
“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There’s something
wrong with a society that drives a car to work out in a gym.” ― Bill Nye
More bike racks Keep parallel parking
Current parking lots
13. OUTDOORLEARNING
Zones
Small group seating
Amphitheater
Small Stage
Interpretive Trail
An outdoor classroom area is
something I have heard many ASU
students suggest. Much of Arizona’s
weather is beautiful and stimulating
especially for highly stressed college
students. My hope is that ASU
students and teachers will take this
space and develop it to fit their
needs. It is a place that they will be
able to exercise creativity and
develop into a space they can take
ownership of. A place to refresh form
the routine of the classroom and learn
to appreciate the natural environment
at the same time .
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old
dimensions.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes
14. COMMUNITYSPOT
The community space is
designed to be a versatile
area. There are any number
of community events that
could be held here, from
picnics to outdoor markets
and special events.
There is also the opportunity
to have an area for food
stands or food trucks. It can
also become a recreational
field when not in use.
But most importantly they will
to be able to connect with
college students at these
events.
Zones
15. THEPLAZA
The plaza is the area that will be
used for gatherings before plays as
well as special events. There are
two existing fountains that get lost
in the current landscape. By adding
the central fountain and connecting
them with the plaza they will
together be a strong indicator and
give prominence to entrance to the
auditorium. The plaza wraps around
the entire structure and is used
dominantly for pedestrian use, while
still allowing for vehicular
circulation.
Zones
16. VIEWS
The view to a place can be
more impactful than the place
itself, it is important to have the
view capture the purpose and
the curiosity of the audience,
even if just for a moment. This
may be the only way someone
ever experiences the site
unless your view is powerful
enough to draw them in.
Zones
“When the image is new, the world is new.”
― Gaston Bachelard
17. THECORRIDOR
Details
The experience of the pedestrian is one of the main focusses
of this project. The way they move was defined by having an
alley of trees to create a dramatic view portal, a comforting
protection, and allows you to be transported away from the
city and into nature.
As you walk along the corridor at each bend there is a new
opportunity to experience one of the areas of the site, giving
the individual the sense of surprise and curiosity as they
move through with the intention that they will
eventually stop and enjoy what the space has to
offer.
“Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
18. THEGATEWAYTOASU
Details
The tunnel effect was part of the original design however was lost in the row
of Rhus Lancea. By removing the trees between the lights and creating
shade with a row of Parkinsonia praecox trees there will be a unique
enclosed and directed feeling which will provide a strong central axis to ASU.
19. THEBUILDINGPERIMETER
Details
Again faced with the challenge of circulation
I extended the planting area that is along the
edge of the building to create a continuous
path that encircles the building. I replaced
the asphalt with a permeable paver that
serves as a path for both vehicles and
pedestrians. By removing the existing trees I
have created a cleaner landscape to
enhance the view from the street and those
moving through the site.
“People ignore design that ignores people.”
― Frank Chimero
20. INTIMATEMOMENTS
Details
For one of the areas of surprise I
have created intimate spaces to
add to the dynamic of the area.
These spaces are created to give
a moment of refreshment and
leave each person with a positive
perspective they can carry on into
the rest of their day. The
vegetation is fragrant and colorful
to capture the soothing feeling of
being in a garden or park and has
the characteristics of a healing
garden to encourage people
regardless of their circumstances.
Patio Study Area
Pocket park
N
Lagerstroemia indica
Quercus parvifolia Sophora secundiflora
Bauhinia aculeata
Entrance
21. WHY?
Gammage is a site of a world famous building that often goes unnoticed. With this designed I have
strived to transform it into a unforgettable and irresistible core where
history can continue to be made.
