Design Group 1

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INTERACTWASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

In its current state, Washington Square Park lacks a definitive and clear purpose in both its program and its connection to the surrounding context. In order to activate the park the objective of this design is to CONNECT Washington Square Park to its context and creating a place for people to INTERACT through the use of design strategies and programming. The design proposal for Washington Square Park provides a place for entertainment for its patrons with options for various activities, recreation, food, events, and art. We approached the design process by creating a series of FRAMEWORK diagrams to ensure a more informed and evidence based design.

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KANSAS CITY

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WELL CONNECTED TO ACTIVITY CENTERS

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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL EVENTS

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Previous site analysis has been considered when approaching the design process to use as a guide in decision-making. Deemed especially important are the studies of viewsheds, boundaries, and extended spaces present in the park. These studies show Washington Square Park and the potential connections with its context.

CONNECTCONNECTViewsheds Boundaries

Union Station/Liberty Memorial

Crown Center

Extended Space Based On Figure Ground

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Extended Space Based On Site Experience Combined Extended Space: Viewsheds, Figure Ground, and Experience

Previous site analysis has been considered when approaching the design process to use as a guide in decision-making. Deemed especially important are the studies of viewsheds, boundaries, and extended spaces present in the park. These studies show Washington Square Park and the potential connections with its context.

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It is significant to retain and enhance the existing connections of Washington Square Park, especially the neighborhood loop connections and Grand Boulevard connector. It is paramount to the success and activation of the park to capitalize on these connections.

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After considering the analysis of the extended space studies, we have chosen three separate zones that are important to capitalize. The three zones of extended space address the views to the north, the east side of the park, Crown Center to the South, and Union Station to the west. The spatial extension zones help determine the programming of the space.

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The previously studied optimal viewing zone has also helped guide the design of the park, by the choice to leave an open, flexible space for viewing and other activities.

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It is important to retain the views of downtown on the north edge of the park, prompting the decision to create an open lawn in the center of the park. This programmatic decision for a flexible open lawn allows for a variety of activities, recreation and events uses.

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It is important to retain the views of downtown on the north edge of the park, prompting the decision to create an open lawn in the center of the park. This programmatic decision for a flexible open lawn allows for a variety of activities, recreation and events uses.

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The eastern edge of the park needs to be addressed due to the amount of employees in the buildings east of Washington Square Park. It is important to create an edge that connects to the buildings, allowing more accessibility to the park for the employees.

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It is important to create a strong connection on the east edge of the park to allow for greater accessibility and encourage employees to utilize Washington Square Park.

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With Crown Center in close proximity and its various retail and educational facilities, it is important to create strong connections between the park and Crown Center.

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Originally Union Station and Washington Square Park were connected, therefore it is important to re-establish the original connection, while connecting to the educational programming Union Station offers. It is also important to connect Washington Square Park to the Liberty Memorial, for its use as a park and its programming.

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Originally Union Station and Washington Square Park were connected, therefore it is important to re-establish the original connection, while connecting to the educational programming Union Station offers. It is also important to connect Washington Square Park to the Liberty Memorial, for its use as a park and its programming.

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To re-establish the connection between Union Station and Washington Square Park, removal of the link will open up the space and create a stronger connection.

Union Station: existing Union Station: potential

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Studying events in Washington Square Park’s surrounding area provides insight to the types of program occurring. This information helps to design a space that relates to its programmatic context.

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By studying the park during events such as marathons, we are able to make inferences regarding the programmatic needs and appropriation of the park outside of its everyday use.

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This diagram shows the conceptual vision for Grand Boulevard. Grand becomes a Livable, Green, and Complete Street Corridor. By removing a lane of traffic, the corridor can be transition into a tree lined corridor connects Penn Valley Park to Berkley Riverfront Park with a series of interconnected park and urban spaces while still maintaining the Average Daily Trips (ADT). Substantially more landscaping and stormwater best management practices encourage a better quality of life for residents and visitors.

Meeting the objectives of the project to connect to the adjacent neighborhoods, the yellow arrows represent critical east/west connections.

Movement north and south is encourage with the various complete street concepts linking connectors to the different neighborhoods and employment areas. Protected and bidirectional bike lanes promote additional transportation options, specifically designed for the most vulnerable. Wide sidewalks with cafes and other at-grade retail, shortened pedestrian crossings and enhanced crosswalks are incorporated throughout to improve the pedestrian experience.

Infill areas and proposed additional park land is incorporated throughout the corridor improving the vitality of the area. Areas currently occupied with surface parking lots and areas adjacent to existing destinations zones are being recommended for early phase development. These special plaza zones are located within Crown Center, Sprint Center, 10th Street, and River Market areas.

In summary, the BIG IDEAS for this plan as an extension of the 2005 Streetscape Master Plan includes• Supporting the GDAP goals - Create a Walkable

Downtown, Double the Population, Increase Employment, Retain and Promote Safe, Authentic Neighborhoods and Promote Sustainability

• Widen Sidewalks on the East Side (Asymmetrical Design)

• Protected, Bi-directional Bikeway• Connections to Adjacent Neighborhoods• Substantially More Landscaping and Sustainable

Stormwater Systems• Enhanced Amenities

The diagram show the major connections and vision for the corridor.

The CONCEPT

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The design of the park is comprised of two parts: the paved edges with the purpose of activating and connecting the park, and the centralized open lawn meant for various and flexible uses.

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A grid was created to assist in design appropriation, comprised of 15’x15’ squares. The size of the grid squares is derived from the size of a food truck as well as an appropriate size for a small art gallery space. The grid also determines the placement of the paved edges and open lawn.

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