have been messing around with some of danny's shapes.
are these alright?
will upload the file as is onto mobile me, Called '31-10 ben greenway masterplan'
will continue pissing around,
Grant there should be enough views on the file to start to do a bit of rendering
ben
Hey everyone,
I've uploaded the sketch model design from last week as well as the hi-res photoshop file that I did for the site. If you'd like to edit this, just turn on or off the layers as needed. The files are on my mobile me under:
'''silicone river ' as a working title, my brain has gone to pot and i can't remember if that is what we agreed on.
i know there was a tag line, but that has gone as well
help
ben
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Hi All,
check this great reference regarding our greenway"pet" project... drop a line if it inspires you!
PS. Can everybody add a DATE at the start of each file before uploading to MOBILE ME?
Cheers!
Jimmy
Futuristic “eco-Silicon Valley» Mentougou eco valley
No, no, it’s not the landing of an extraterrestrial landing plane had arrived on Earth with a friendly visit. Mentougou eco valley – a draft environmental green valley in Mentugu (Beijing, China), developed by the Finnish architectural studio Eriksson architects.
Future “Eco-Silicon Valley” is built up of multi-functional structures
with futuristic architecture and integrated pilot technologies.
The
project has been prepared to implement and is awaiting approval by the
Chinese Government. As already mentioned, all objects “embedded” in the
green valley, represent an experiment with a form of eco-technologies,
materials and building typologies. On the territory of Mentougou eco
valley will be implemented the most advanced developing energy
efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings.
Mentugu
valley is situated in 60 kilometers west of Beijing and is a
picturesque relief terrain. According to the project will be built
research complex, composed of institutions and development companies,
the central city and a few compact residential villages. Overall, the
project is designed to stay around 50 000 inhabitants.
Echo
Valley is in a unique “buffer” zone, protected by mountains from the
noise and pollution of the environment. Futuristic architecture of
large-scale project focused exclusively on the harmonious adaptation to
the surrounding landscape.
In
this case, the main challenge for the authors of the project was the
most efficient use of land resources with an emphasis on comfortable,
modern accommodation and comprehensive services.
Uploaded 'Closer plan view.psd' on Dans mobile me, with background and plan google view of the scale so you can get a hook on the building sizes. colours etc i can adjust later, just something for you to bounce off.
thank you all for posting work everything appears to be coming together, and there is a vital and urgent communication taking place in cyber space now
unfortunately yesterday i was offline for most of the day, but i have been battling with illustrator to put together a nodal plan, i think the pink centres should be viewed as communication nodes, where communities come together around a transport hub.
the river is such an intrinsic part of this area that i believe it should be THE LINK, therefore the site would benefit from a system of water taxis/trams rather fthan a land based transport system
this should be able to tie in nicely with danny's plan
I have combined the DNA strand with River Lae. Thought we can adjust the river channel flowing direction, using DNA core strand(purple color) as inspiration and reallocate rest of the green space and building layout.
Connecting the tree routes that would have woodland paths (soil bound resin, more later) that connect with a 'wilderness' sense of place. great for riding/running to work, general enjoyment and lowering the blood pressure.
Mixed use the land, with mixed housing, (no gated communities), mixed in with green/silicone tech industry. Shops within walking distance (400m), work within a 10min bike ride if so desired.
Swales and rain planters, overflowing into reed bedded pond/lakes.
A derelict post-industrial wasteland covers much of the area
The area is divided by underused waterways, heavily trafficked roads, the London Underground and heavy rail lines
It is blighted with many unattractive pylons.
Opportunities
A common strand which connects the main areas of the site is the waterways.
The canals and rivers within the Lower Lea Valley are potentially a rich leisure, tourism, heritage and ecological resource
The London 2012 Olympic Games will put this area in the spotlight
The close proximity to Stratford International and London Airport
Space for more mooring
Waterfront tow paths and cycle routes
Vacant open spaces exist that can make green connections with the Lee Valley Regional Park
The Vision
To create a better place to live
To create jobs and increase skills in the area
To transform the large number of underused canals and waterways
To create a system that links the green spaces together connecting wildlife corridors
Build pocket parks – increasing green spaces for people to relax (however small).
Proposals and Possibilities
Promote a green economy
Facilitate commuting and transporting by river
Promote the creation of new river businesses with supporting services (freight, river taxis/bus, ferries, barges and moorings).
Improve access to river edge/ high quality and greener waterfront
Attract river/waterside users – such facilities include types of boating pursuits, cafés, events and exhibition spaces
Build green pedestrian and cycle bridges
Build architectural ‘Energy Banks’ with technologies that use wind, solar and ground source heat (make wind turbines more interesting to look at)
Incorporate green technologies in all new builds. Visually ‘green up the urban area’
Facilitate water conservation and SUDS, water harvesting and reuse (redirecting money spent on water wastage)
'Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works' - Steve Jobs
History
History
Early London history
The Lee runs from Luton through marshland to the Thames and its link to London gave it enormous importance for transport and trade.
It has been altered to meet the needs of defence, transport and industry.
The Romans built a road parallel to the waterway – Ermine Street which ran from London to Lincoln
Danes invade London
During the 9th century the Lea formed a natural boundary between Alfred the Great’s Saxon England to the west in Middlesex and the invading Vikings to the east, in Essex who had worked their way from the east coast.
It is said that the Danes sailed up the Lee in 895AD, only to be stranded by Alfred building a weir and embankment by the Thames and draining the river, stranding the invaders.
Mills
By medieval times, the Lee was important for its mills.
In fact there were more tidal mills collected on the Lea than on any other river anywhere in the world, plus many windmills.
In 1424, an act of parliament had instructed work to improve the Lee’s navigation. Gunpowder, flour, coal and malt could now be moved in quantity to London.
The 18th century saw new canalisation technology used together with new cuts and locks allowed larger barges to move goods upriver from the Thames, and through into Hertfordshire.
Many of London’s ‘stink industries’ were now on the banks of the Lee. Here was produced the first commercially successful industrial bone china, known as Bow China.
Later on, gasworks and power stations were to make the Lee one of the most productive, parts of London.
Toys for the boys
By the 20th century, the Lee became home to factories like: The world’s first radio valves, Vacuum flasks, The Royal Small Arms, and the Lesney company, makers of Matchbox cars.
End of an era
The arrival of the railwayskilled the canals of course. By the end of the 19th century bulk cargoes were being moved by train and then by road. And with the decline in Britain’s industries in the latter half of the 20th century, much of the Lee’s banks became shabby and derelict.
Since I can't post anything to the blog I thought I'd send this to everyone over email. I know this is part of Ben's thing, but until we have a firm base plan, I can't get to building in Sketchup. Lemme know what you think,
Danny
Red: Roads
Yellow: Rail
Blue: Water
Brown Grey: Greenway Path
Dark Green: Existing Vegetation
Light Green: New Vegetation
Purple Grey: Commercial/Industrial
Rust(for lack of a better word): residential
East London Greenways become green-tech strands for the future
I'm going to keep my research process alive on the blog today, until some solid slogans emerge that underpin what we're really trying to do with this project. I apoloise if it gets a bit wafty. Let me know if I'm going off point.
So firstly, my thinking on how we present our project is this: We need to adopt words such as 'strands' 'sequences' ,'structural', 'code', instructions', words that relate to 'DNA' and which can be linked strongly to urban development and our project
For instance:
wiki:
DNA - genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all living organisms
The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes.
Therefore, our spin might be: The area we are developing is a sequential network of segments. Each segment connotes either work, play or leisure.
Ok, so the above is all to do with how the space is developed/organised etc. So we need to add the layer of 'green tech'
I've come up with this:
London invests in Green-tech Valley for the future
However, I don't think it's quite there and its not linking into to the our DNA ideas yet. So am brainstorming ideas right now on how to link both DNA strcutre and green technology ideas
