YAF:ATL 48HRS Competition Brief "The Gulch", envisioning a new (old) Urban Core. Project Purpose: This is the 3rd Annual 48hrs Design Competition. The purpose of this competition is to provide a venue for designers and architects to showcase their creativity. Entrants will illustrate the value of good design to the Greater Public through the reinvention of “The Gulch” the largest contiguous piece of property being considered for re-development in the historic heart of Atlanta. Designers should also use this competition as a means to begin a larger dialogue about Atlanta’s design heritage and its future as a new modern city. Although this is an ideas competition, the intent is to spur a constructive dialogue among the many public and private stakeholders involved as well as to illustrate the immense transformative potential that a unique development of this size offers to the citizens of Atlanta. Program: The development of “The Gulch” is seen as a transformative event that can offer the citizens of Atlanta an opportunity to not only address the current issues facing them, but also to redefine and re-invent what it means to be a modern city. For the purpose of this competition we have increased the boundaries of what is usually consider the limits of “The Gulch” in order to expand the discussion and to seek proposals that integrate the development more forcefully into the city fabric. We seek proposals that describe an urban fabric that is logic based and goes beyond utility and necessity, one that confers identity and understands the need for creating symbols in the production of a city landscape. The proposal should respond to the pragmatic demands of a Modern City,reinforce the local culture, and contribute to the identity, symbols and expression that are unique to Atlanta. We seek a departure from the old 'demolish and replace' or the 'preserve and protect' models. We seek a new ecological system, a hybrid of the natural and the man-made, which is sustainable and proactively involved the growth of the city. Participants are asked to propose a combination of land uses that would allow this site to reclaim it's significant role in the evolution of the city. These land uses ought to be ones that serve as a catalyst for proactive development that benefits the multitude of the city's stakeholders. There are no specific programmatic requirements for the proposal; designers should take the opportunity to suggest what an infill urban fabric for the city of Atlanta should look like in the new century. We have instead outlined a list of components that should be seen as starting points. The incorporation of these components is left to be defined by each entrant. Historical Background: The Western & Atlantic railroad line and The Gulch in particular, are central to Atlanta's history because the city of Terminus, which preceded Atlanta, took its name from the southeastern end of the rail line. A hundred or so years ago, the Gulch was formed when viaducts were built to aid traffic flow over the rail lines. The Gulch even produced a pronounced shift on the city grid when it meets the nexus of all the rail lines. It’s now a fifteen-acre plus of asphalt of prime real estate, and owner Norfolk Southern is open to sale or development options. Components: Transportation, Public, Private and Environmental. Participants are to define the percentage that each of the four components will occupy in their proposal as part of their design. Participants are encouraged to add any additional components that they feel might complement their proposal, but the four components need to be addressed in some form, or fashion. Submission Requirements: These represent the minimum required information for the competition. Site Plan: One Site Plan. Scale - 1" = 500', minimum Perspective View(s): Minimum of two perspective views. Narrative: Descriptive Narrative, 300 word maximum included on 24’’x36’’ presentation. Format: Entry to be one 24’’x36’’ Composition in PDF format, max size 8MB if emailed. Please hand deliver on CD if size is over 8 MB’s. Registration Number must be clearly written on CD.
References: Downtown Atlanta - www.atlantadowntown.com/fun/history-of-downtownGeorgia’s water wars - www.waterwar.org Proposal for urban farms in Detroit - www.hantzfarmsdetroit.com/introduction.html A Historic Preservation Wish List - www.atlantamagazine.com/history/Story.aspx?id=1195912
Precedents: Please follow this link for relevant precedents and additional photos of 'the Gulch'. We have included the following attached list of items below for your reference and use.
- 4 birdseye views of the site
- A large aerial photograph of the, stitched together from Google Maps
- An aerial photographs showing the "limits" of The Gulch" in red outline
- A downtown map from www.atlantadowntown.com
- A large DWG of the surrounding area of downtown
Additional digital site information is available via Google Earth. Questions and Answers: 1. Is the 300 word limit for all text on the board or just the description? The 300 word limit is just a minimum for the written description of the project, it does not relate to other text on the boards. 2. Is the comp due on sat night or sun night? The entries are due Sunday @ 11:59pm, October 17th. 3. How are the rail lines that run through the Gulch used? The rail lines are primarily used for freight. 4. Is the emplacement of the congress center a former train terminal? The Site and the area where the Georgia World Congress Center is located were once part of the central freight depot, rail yard, and terminus. 5. Are the metro stops on and around the site extensively used? Yes, the Metro stops are used extensively. 6. What is the assumed height of the viaducts that surround the site? The height varies, but generally speaking there is clearance for all truck and train access below. 7. I was wondering about the existing buildings throughout the site- are we able to demolish them and build new or are we to try and salvage the buildings and transform the exterior facade of them? You are free to determine the fate of all buildings within the site or buildings that you deem critical to accomplish your design goals. 8. Do the percentages of the components have to be the same equal percentage i.e. 25% for each one? No, you are free to incorporate any percentage of each component as you choose. You also may add new components or eliminate components. 9. Is there a required format for the board (portrait vs. landscape)? No. 10. Are the railroads coming in the site still functional? If not, or either ways, what is meant by the transportation component of the program? Yes, the railroads are still functional. The transportation component is open to interpretation, but could incorporate the existing railways, the existing subway system, or create a new transit connection with the greater downtown. 11. With a site so large and lacking specific programatic definition, is this a master planning exercise, an urban planning exercise, landscape exercise, architectural overhaul...? It would be more appropriately described as a Master Planning / Urban Design Competition. 12. Are we to assume we can alter any, all, or none, of the buildings in and around the existing site and add what every we want to the site. All buildings within the site are free to alteration, demolition, etc... The Site Boundary is set to create a focus on the Site itself, however if there is a compelling argument for alteration of adjacent buildings and it is integral to your final design it will be allowed. 13. For those unfamiliar with 'the gulch' could you clarify some of the boundary intersection street names? They are not labeled on the aerials... and the downtown map does not have a boundary for the competition site. Centennial Park Drive (NW boundary), Spring Street (Southeast Boundary), Wall Street (Northern Boundary), Forsyth and Alabama Street f(orm the boundary of the Eastward Projection), and Whitehall Street (Southern Boundary) 14. If he hand deliver a CD where do we take it? 1473 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309: I will be there between 10pm and 12:00 Sunday evening. 15. The "Large Site.DWG" file is at 1:1 scale? Yes. 16. Are we free to alter the existing streets/railways that cross the site? Streets can be altered/removed/added. The railway can be altered but rail access has to remain. 17. Who utilizes the parking in the Gulch? is there a requirement to maintain any of the parking currently in this area? If so, how much approximately should be retained? Private Parking Services use the lots in the Gulch, there is no requirement to maintain or retain any of the parking. 18. What are considered environmental components of this competition? The site represents a largely disused industrial area in the middle of Downtown Atlanta. Environmental Components could be design approaches that look to create a better natural environment for the Downtown Area. Any elements such as open space, items to address water retention, preservation of sun/light/wind etc… could all be considered environmental elements. 19. Do you have any requirements regarding housing program or building development for the competition are, also are there any particular indications about parking areas? We’ve left the program very open to interpretation so we don’t have particular indications about either housing or parking. Furthermore there is ample parking in the surrounding area. 20. What is the general slope of the site? High Low? We didn't receive any spot elevations. Detailed information about the site can be found at the Fulton County GIS Database: Web Address, http://wms.co.fulton.ga.us/ |
  |
2010 Results >
2010 48hrs Program |
