Urban Masterplan + Viaduct
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2018 // Judson University, Dr. Christopher Miller
The objective of ARC 651 at Judson University in the fall of 2018 was to design a new urban master plan for Winson Green, a neighborhood on the border of northeast Birmingham and Smethwick in the UK. Winson Green is a depressed neighborhood but has a rich history started during the industrial revolution as the home of the Soho Foundry and of Blackpatch Park, the alleged birthplace of Charlie Chaplin. The project was done in conjunction with urban missionaries working in the neighborhood and relied heavily on their expertise.
After the urban master plan phase each student designed a building within the plan that would contribute to the positive urban decisions already made at the master planning level. |
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URBAN MASTER PLAN
The urban masterplan was phased so early phases dealt with issues like building density near transit stops and enclosing the park space for safety reasons. Later phases expanded to further connect, redevelop underutilized amenities, or install new institutions. Connections: The urban master plan looked to connect the place with new and existing public transit and roads conducive to pedestrian use. Safety: Creating places that were cared for and supervised by the community. Housing Options: The project suggested the opportunity for mixed tenure housing and housing options from the "missing middle." Density: The urban plan was designed with a dwelling unit density per hectare calculation to support retail and transit service. Placemaking: It was a concern of the project that the character of the place be appropriate to the architectural influences of Birmingham and Winson Green. Recreation: The project took notice of the increase in green infrastructure in Birmingham and the revitalization of the canal system as an outdoor amenity. This resulted in a green corridor connecting Blackpatch Park to the transit line and to the canal. Equality: The discussion of character was intended to show equality to all socio cultural and socioeconomic end users. The master plan was selected by the Congress for the New Urbanism as the winner of their annual Student Merit Award. Check out the full narrated Judson University ARC 651 presentation here! |
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PLAZA DESIGN
The combined efforts of five students worked to design buildings that would enclose and activate the Soap Bowl Plaza part of the urban plan. The plaza is situated to become a hub as it is a location where several roads converge, therefor, the class decided that it should be a dense T5 area. The most important part of the plaza is the railway viaduct. The plaza is surrounded on three sides with railway lines which are often a barrier that cuts off connection to neighboring areas, however, the historic viaduct opens the area up. The design of the plaza showcases the viaduct as an important part of the history of Winson Green. In order to maintain the necessary density for the area, which is roughly one hectare, it was determined that there would need to be at least 50-60 dwelling units in this area. The northeast corner building alone contains twenty-one dwelling units from studio to two bedroom apartments. With this building and others the Soap Bowl is estimated to accommodate 80-100 dwelling units per hectare, well above the necessary density to support transit and retail. |
SITE PLAN // SOAP BOWL PLAZA
SITE SECTION // SOAP BOWL PLAZA
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VIADUCT INFILL // BREWERY + PUB
The viaduct infill building turns a piece of infrastructure from the industrial revolution that would otherwise pose an urban safety risk into a pub and craft brewery that opens up to public plazas to its north and south. This will keep the space active and safe into the evening. 
ENLARGED ELEVATION // VIADUCT BREWERY + PUB
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LEVEL 1 PLAN // VIADUCT BREWERY + PUB
LEVEL 2 PLAN // VIADUCT BREWERY + PUB
ELEVATION // VIADUCT BREWERY + PUB
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NORTHEAST CORNER BUILDING
The Northeast corner building serves to enclose the plaza corner. It engages the street with ground floor shops and a small courtyard open to the public. Keeping the corner active and watched improves the safety of the public using the plaza and street. 
ENLARGED ELEVATION // CORNER BUILDING
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LEVEL 1 PLAN // CORNER BUILDING
LEVEL 2 PLAN // CORNER BUILDING
ELEVATION // CORNER BUILDING
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