Program Diagrams v4

Updated Program:

The problem with subway stations in Boston are that they are not designed with the consideration of human senses because they are usually built to be durable. This creates a particular movement through the space, usually one that is sped up. I am proposing a subway station that will slow affect people's movement and increase their awareness of the surrounding space. Within this subway station, the majority of the programmatic spaces are circulation spaces such as escalators, stairs, elevators, and platforms.

Circulation Diagram:

This diagram shows the linear circulation through the subway station along with some spaces that create a slower type of movement.

Adjacencies Diagram:

The subway station is above and below a vast brick plaza with a few surrounding brick and concrete buildings.

Site Diagrams

Site Location:

Ground Materials:

Building Materials:

Transportation:

Above Ground Site Circulation:

Program on the Ground Floor:

Shadow Studies (12:00PM on Spring / Fall Equinox):

Shadow Studies (2:00PM on Summer Solstice):

Shadow Studies (12:00 PM on Winter Solstice):

Generative Site Analysis

Procession of Movement through the Government Center Subway Station:

Materials Along the Site:

Site Analysis

The site I have chosen is the site of the Government Center subway station for the following reasons:

• Urban setting
• Area of high density
• Transportation = speed & technology
• Bland existing material palette
• Available to the public
• Longer / Unknown downtime

Some Fun Videos I Found

Site Selection

Option #1
For my site I chose South Station in Boston, MA. My thesis is mainly about how materiality and the haptic design can promote a sense of speed. I felt that it was very important for my project to be located in a dense area that was used as a travel space used for movement. South Station is a large station that is comprised of pretty much one large space with many kiosks and tables and chairs. There is no sense of materiality or the idea of designing for the human. My goal is to create a series of intimate spaces (lounge, bar, food court, ticket booth...) within this train station, and possibly the bus terminal that will cater to the needs of humans and allow them to have a space within the crazy train station where they can relax and become aware of their surroundings.

Aerial View.

Front of South Station.

Walking in the train station off the street.

View towards the trains.

Large open waiting area.

Train platform.

Option #2
Or I was looking at Cambridgeside Galleria Mall because it is another fast paced, motion based location. My goal is also to create a series of intimate spaces (lounge, food court, store...) within the mall that will change the speed of the user.

Aerial View.

Floor Plans

Exterior of Mall.

All Three Floors.

Second Floor View.

Program Narrative v2

I’m at school and I have to catch a train to go home. I walk to the subway station, wait for the train hoping it’s not going to be running late. When it finally comes I hop on and try to find an empty seat, but of course there is none so I have to stand. Next couple of stops people load onto the train and it becomes very crowded. Everyone is standing so close to each other and bumping back and forth. Park Street comes and it’s time to get off the train and switch to another train. I run to the next train, and it’s the same thing, I’m stuck standing up.

At the South Station stop I get off and rise into the train station. People are running everywhere trying to catch their trains. I go into the ticket line and things slow down, well the speed of the workers does so we become impatient and antsy. The fact that the ticket booth is out in the open with everyone rushing around you doesn’t help this situation. Finally I order my ticket and notice I have a few minutes to spare. I’d like to grab a bite of food so I go into the food court and grab a cookie, and on my way to my seat I almost get clothes lined by a few people. Gosh, I wish there was a nice space to sit and relax rather than sitting in the open with people rushing around you.

            My train gets called and I go out to the platform and barely notice my surroundings, well I only noticed them because I was looking for them. I walk across a plain gray concrete slab and pass steel overhangs that protect people from the rain. What a horrible job they do anyways. There’s more people outside waiting for their train but don’t have anything that really tends to their needs except for the overhand that shields the rain. Wouldn’t it be nice if people had their own space out here on the platform too? I get on the train and my blood pressure goes down because no longer do I feel rushed from my surroundings.