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INSTANT DOWNTOWNSOUTH WEST FACADE BY NIGHT
FARGO, USA 2010
an urban condensation strategy for Fargo
Programm: mixed use, offices, apartments, student housing,retail, civic space, urban entertainment
Surface: 50000 m2
Client: Kilbourne Group
Website: http://www.kilbournegroup.com/
There are a couple important ingredients to create a sustainable and vibrant downtown inFargo. It needs to be well programmed, have a significant amount of inhabitants, qualityhousing, a diverse range of civic space and commercial activities. It also needs goodpedestrian connections towards the river, the civic center and the library. All of this must beconveniently accessible by car.
In order to vitalize the city center we have chosen a strategy of urban condensation: InstantDowntown. We propose a fully programmed dense urban block which gives Fargo's downtownan identifiable, mature skyline. At the same time we consider the scale and function of thehistorical buildings with a shopping layer on Broadway. In addition, we boost the number ofdowntown inhabitants, and create a one of kind elevated urban activity park. Separating theshopping plaza and the urban activity deck we find 500 (public and private) parking spaces ona continuous ramp fully integrated into the block. No more parking on street level, no moreugly street front parking garages.
Whilst Broadway and the mall are more orientated towards shopping and retail, the roof of theparking ramp doubles as an urban activity deck which consists out of five sloping levels. Thedeck is programmed with playgrounds, sandboxes, greenery, an ice rink and a basketballcourt. From this level nine towers and blocks between five and seventeen stories high areaccessed, combining a mix of offices, apartments and student housing. This guarantees roundthe clock activity on the urban deck. Windows in a wind protecting wall around the deck framebeautiful views towards the surrounding area.
Currently most downtown blocks in Fargo are 50% parking. Asphalt is the norm. We propose adesign which fully integrates parking into the urban program and creates space for streetorientated activity. An elevated continuous parking ramp is winding up the block and makesparking an experience in itself. The triangular courtyards created by the parking scheme formthe basis of the layout of the shopping mall and the urban activity deck and define space forescalators that connect these layers.
Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | [email protected] | www.marcovermeulen.nl
The relocation of the US Bank takes place at its original location, and integrates into thelayering of the building. Drive up ATMs will be located on the southeast corner of the block,while customer service is prominently located on the second level, overlooking an interiorshopping plaza. Reserved employee and customer spaces in the parking layer ensure easyaccess to customer service level, as well as additional office space located on the urbanactivity deck. The Instant Downtown strategy meets the needs of Fargo with a mixed use, condensed blockwhich fills the current void with a vibrant heart. The block creates an image of a livelyAmerican downtown on an urban scale, while continuing and intensifying the activity on streetlevel.
--BIRDSEYE VIEW SHOWING THE GREEN PEDESTRIAN
CONNECTIONS TO THE RIVER AND THE CIVIC PARK/LIBRARY. IN
THE FRONT BROADWAY STREET.
--THE NEW SKYLINE RELATES TO THE THREE SCALES OF THE
CITY
Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | [email protected] | www.marcovermeulen.nl
--EXPLODED VIEW SHOWING THE LAYERING OF THE BUIDLING:
RETAIL - PARKING - URBAN ACTIVITY DECK
-RESIDENTIAL/OFFICES
--WINTERFUN ON THE URBAN ACTIVITY DECK. THE CONNECTION
TO THE PARKING GARAGE IS CLEARLY VISIBLE AS WELL AS THE
VIEW ON BROADWAY
--VIEW FROM THE PARKING RAMP TOWARDS THE URBAN
ACTIVITY DECK.
--FLOORPLANS OF THE SHOPPING PLAZA, A PARKING LAYER AND
THE URBAN ACTIVITY DECK.
Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | [email protected] | www.marcovermeulen.nl