Kirby Drive Enhancement Project at IH-59

FiftyNine Design

Nikki Conley

Michael Cox

Michael Milton

objective

intro

goals

Strengthen district identity

Make it easy to walk

Make it safer to walk & drive

The design options were created to Express/Embody movement of people, vehicles, & goods at the interchange of Kirby drive and IH-59.

The improvement of the linkage between the north and the south sides of Kirby Drive will enhance & accentuate this transition and visually unify the drive.

Change this site from static to fascinating.

Based on site research, client input and existing HOK planning efforts, FiftyNine Design developed multiple options to enhance Kirby Drive at IH-59.

KIRBY DR

IH-59

South St

Richmond

site:

– Kirby Drive is an important north south corridor with the southwest region of inner Houston.

– Existing landscaping conditions and district improvements provide a base foundation for unifying the area through the IH-59 passage.

– The color red identifies the district on street signs and in individually purchased and placed retro English phone booths.

teamdesignprocess

General observation of Kirby Drive & Upper Kirby District

-site visit

-photos

-organization objectives

Site Analysis & research

-precedents

-strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

Schematic Designs

-sketches

-brainstorming

-develop identity of design

-explore multiple options

Design Development

-focus on movement concept

-three main options

-street and bridge furnishings

Kirby Dr

Residential

Commercial

Parking

Commercial – The district is predominantly

commercial along Kirby Drive and then transitions to vibrant residential neighborhoods down smaller connecting streets.

Private– The neighborhoods mix single

residence and multi family structures.

– North of IH-59 exists more multi family & high density residences

Uses

who & howKirby Drive is currently used

-improve vehicle circulation with reduced and clearly defined driveways-provide amble and aesthetically appealing street lights-cut back the sides of the underpass

Make it safer to walk & drive

Vehicular zones

Traffic direction

-north median in dead lane-increase distance to entrance drive of corner business to increase traffic flow-clearly separate and define pedestrian zones along street and under the intersection

Center median

Pedestrian zones

Hardscape &softscape

-use curb standard/policy/guideline with softscape as buffer between pedestrian car and buildings/parking lots-Increase softscape-Vary tree and shrub heights-Reduce height of landscaping at corners to increase sightlines-Use standard 5 foot sidewalks-Standards should be maintained throughout the entire corridor-Mixed vegetation will provide rhythm and variety

ProposedStreetStandards

parking soft softwalk road roadmedian soft softwalk

Proposed Street Standard Variations

building soft softwalk road soft softwalkroad parking

Condition where building meets Right of WayCondition where parking lot meets Right Of Way

-commercial uses should align with right of way -discourage on street parking-balance access and safety for pedestrians, cars, and other modes of transportation

Lighting-under the bridge-street lights

Transition-gateway elements: north to south

Connection-materiality in elements-interaction with existing elements

Standards-Traffic signals-Signage-Bus Stops-Curbs, softscape, hardscape

Based on the team goal is to Strengthen the District Identity, we explored three visions under the same connection to MOVEMENT

Each option uses the following elements to illustrate the design

Creating an Identity through design

Transition: North to SouthIH-59 creates a dramatic barrier across Kirby Drive. The underpass is the connection between the north and

south.

Currently the connection is weak and the actual elements of the underpass are generic, static and easily disregarded. We propose three options to enhancing this condition.

A: spatial, structural gateway, red beams

B: funneling effect, smooth transition, organic

C: structural gateway, open spaces contained by angular red poles,

Increasing the attention to the existing elements will increase the pedestrian and driver impression from passing through this pass on their journey down Kirby Drive.

A

Translucent polymer panels create a skin around existing structure. The form curves around the movement of pedestrians and cars and creates separated tunnels.

B

C

Multiplicity of the cells decrease as the distance from the intersection increases. Just as the size and influence of the highway becomes less prominent with distance.

A: Steel beams, red, rigid with break away

C: Tensioned illuminations held by solution

B: organic, curvaceous

Street Light standards

By changing the lights from the Houston standard to a unique standard, lights can provide both necessary

safety and reinforce the district’s individual identity.

C: tubular steel, skylight, and coverings

B: single molded form, organic curves

A: visible steel, clear polymer

Bus Stops:

Mass transit in along Kirby currently involves only the Metro bus system.

In this area there is a large potential for mass transit to flourish due to its location and diversity of goods and services

Lighting: under bridge

A: task lighting, varying sizes, industrial -Downlights follow column lines, create additional vertical lines and

expand rhythm of columns to perimeter walls

B: Illumination, color-backlit membrane surround passage with colorful flow,

C: Suspended illuminations-lights hang between framework as connectors

A: cantilever beams across roadway form vibrant gateways for drivers

C: suspended lights increase concept of identity and inspire future light design possibilities.

B: swooping arches

• The three proposals address the same urban issues in three different projections.

• They are connected through location, purpose and specific urban planning issues