Durham Pedestrian Bridge
Located in the heavy traffic part of Durham, NC. The Bull Bridge aims to connect the two halves of the city that were divided by the railroad all the while creating an icon for the city. Its materiality was inspired by the industrial feel that is innate to a growing city like Durham.
The perforated metals are weathered to reduce reflecting glare on passerby while maintaining a sheen that plays with the changing skylight throughout the day. The Bull Bridge is meant not simply a mean to get across the street safely but also as a gathering destination. There are two parks on either end of the bridge, the smaller on the north side and bigger the south side. The paths are meant to continue the missing
sidewalks and ensuring pedestrian a safe and efficient way to cross. The bridge also took advantage of the change in elevation creating an an information center that advertises places to visit, display poster for the upcoming shows at DPAC, information for the Tobacco Campus.
This site offers great accessibility to various means of transportation, near various bus stops which is an essential mode of transport for lower-income demographic. A large amount of street parking as well as parking allowing more freedom in program layout without a need for a parking lot on site. Furthermore, it is located right at Moore Square, one of the few green spaces in Downtown Raleigh, that attracts a large number of gatherings and could serve as recognizable gathering spaces for Forward Justice. Located at the corner lot also offer greater visibility to the building even from a whole block away.
However, there will be challenges regarding the program and the design of the building so that it will be respectful of its context and existing neighboring buildings as well as Moore Square. Noise level could potentially become an issue as with most downtown location and the Main elevation that faces Persons Street, which is a one-way street, could be confusing to new visitors
(Site Analysis)
(Program)
Foward justice Center at Raleigh will act as a hub for social events and activities. It will be where positive changes happen. Connecting and conveying this change to the local commuinity to fight for equality and justice.
The facility will serve both public and private needs. Separating private area by layout and card-access ensuring a safe working environment for staffs while offering useful spaces for the community.
Contextually, The building will react to its surrounding and the corner site by keeping the street line and planting vegetation to continue existing trees from Moore Square. The regulating lines of the pedestrian circulation as well as existing nearby facilities will provide a starting point for the design of the overall scheme.
Formally, The building will be open and truthful from the way the building is laid out to it's materials. Structures, HVAC systems, etc will be exposed expressing what Forward justice stand for honesty and transparency. Everything is out in the open. Furthermore, this is inline with North Carolina's Motto "Esse quam videri" which means: To be rather than to seem.
Understandably, a lot fo Client that require help from Foward Justice might be under stressful situations. The Space will be light-filled with a good amount of open space with more inti- mate area pread out within the program to visually ease visitor. Materials will be wood and steal to balance structure while providing a warm and welcoming effect.
(Design)
(Details)
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