URBAN INFILL

BYMOUNIKA MADDIPATLA, BARCH

10037/2013
ANUPAMA TIRKEY,
BARCH/10039/2013

In urban planning,infillis the rededication of land in an urban

environment, usually open space, to new construction.Infill also
applies within an urbanpolityto construction on any
undeveloped land that is not on the urban margin. The slightly
broader term "land-recycling" is sometimes used instead. Infill
has been promoted as an economical use of
existinginfrastructureand a remedy forurban sprawl. Its
detractors view it as overloading urban services, including
increased traffic congestion and pollution, and decreasing urban
green-space.

In theurban planninganddevelopmentindustries, infill has been

defined asthe use of land within a built-up area for further
construction, especially as part of a
communityredevelopmentorgrowth managementprogram or
as part ofsmart growth

 focuses on the reuse and repositioning of obsolete or

underutilized buildings and sites
is essential to renewing blightedneighborhoods and knitting
them back together with more prosperous communities
Redevelopment orland recycling is development that occurs on
previously developed land. Infill buildings are constructed on
vacant or underutilized property or between existing buildings
Theres a shift happening in the built environment right now.
Suburban land is becoming increasingly scarce, and rural land
is being pushed to inaccessible distances. Meanwhile, its more
attractive than ever to live and work in the city, and less
desirable to be stuck in traffic. While these challenges can be
difficult to confront, they are also motivating us as a society to
produce thoughtful solutions in urban settings. These
constraints are producing an architectural paradigm shift.

One of the most successful solutions that were seeing in the built
environment is urban infill. Its a broad term with many applications
and todays post takes a crack at defining them as well as calling out
some exemplary projects. Here are our top 5 required factors of urban
infill:
1. It increases the density of the built environment.
2. It builds and fosters community.
3. It focuses on the reuse andre-positioningof obsolete or
underutilized buildings and sites.
4. It activates neighborhoods, making them more useful and livelier
for longer periods of the day and night.
5. It uses what is already there to its advantage, as opposed to
starting with a blank canvas.
These factors can be achieved in a variety of ways. The infill can be
added to an existing structure, it can become a new layer over the
old, it can permeate the voids of an irregular site, or it can simply fill
an abandoned lot. Often times, this infill employs mixed-use and
multi-functional purpose to a site or building, promoting different uses
at different times. The main point being: urban infill is synergistic; it
has a greater affect on the built environment than the sum of its
parts.

An extraordinary example of urban infill, the design involves a complete renovation to

the guts of an existing brick building and the insertion of an additional floor on top. By
introducing tworestaurants,a bike/coffee shop,andofficesto the neighborhood, the
Kohlstrand urban infill fires on all cylinders (not to mention housing thebest oyster
barin town).

SEATTLE
Kolstrand BuildingbyGraham Baba Architects

The Agnes Lofts urban infill is one of the reasons Seattles Pike-Pine corridor is
a destination neighborhood. Nestled in between its older, industrial neighbors,
the building brings 24 double-height residential lofts with ground floor (andsubfloor) commercial spaces to the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The crisp glass box
design glows at night and leverages the potential of an active intersection in
Seattles most vibrant neighborhood.

Agnes LoftsbyWeinstein A|Uand developed byDunn + Hobbes

The Park ModernbyBUILD LLC

Replacing a couple of dark and derelict buildings, the Park Modern

urban infill injects a diversity of uses to Seattles North-Ave
neighborhood. Ten condominiums, two townhomes, acaf,asalon,and
an architecture firm extend the pedestrian zone of Seattles U-District,
preemptively filling in the blanks between two futurelight railstations,
and re-energizing a once gloomy part of town. Successful urban infill
also increases the safety of cities by placing more eyes on the street,
echoing the words ofJane Jacobs.

URBAN INFILL CASE STUDY

1

CELADON AT 9TH AND

BROADWAY, SAN DIEGO

mixed-use project
currently under construction
Located in a redeveloping urban area
combines commercial uses at street level with 250 affordable rental units above, including
63 apartments for elderly tenants and 25 for young adults formerly in foster care
Design architect Eric Naslund
The high-rise structure consists of a plinth, scaled to match surrounding historic buildings,
and a tower that steps back from the street-front faade. The towers smaller footprint
serves to activate the base to address its urban responsibilities and contribute to the street
life of the area, Vasquez says. While including separate entrances for elders and youth, the
building also provides outdoor terraces where the groups can mingle.
The apartments include micro units as small as 350 square feet, but high ceilings and city
views will lend a spacious feeling. The buildings transit-friendly location, limited parking,
natural ventilation, and efficient systems will minimize environmental impact.Were
shooting for at least a LEED Silver level, Vasquez says.Windows face southwest (to shield
the openings from the setting western sun) and offer views across the ballpark to the bay
and the ocean beyond. A veil of solar panels drapes across the top of the structure and
down its side, providing a very direct view of how the thing is producing its own energy,
says Naslund. We didnt try to hide the panels. We celebrated them. Underneath the solar
veil onthebuildings 15thfloor is carved a terrace--common space that offers downtown and
ocean views to all residents.The jury praised the project for serving disparate user groups
while conveying a high-end feeling.

On SiteDue to the small site, the tower crane used during construction stood inside the
building footprint, on a footing that was required to be designed and permitted as part of
the permanent foundation.

URBAN INFILL CASE STUDY

2
Custom Home of the Year:
Lincoln Park Residence,
Chicago

Entrant/Builder:Goldberg General
Contracting, Chicago
Architect:Vinci | Hamp Architects,
Chicago
Landscape Architect:McKay
Landscape Architects, Chicago
Interior Designer:Stephanie Wohlner
Design, Highland Park, Ill.
Living Space:10,000 square feet
Site:0.14 acre
Construction Cost:$500 per square
foot

Entrant/Builder:Goldberg General
Contracting, Chicago
Architect:Vinci | Hamp Architects,
Chicago
Landscape Architect:McKay
Landscape Architects, Chicago
Interior Designer:Stephanie
Wohlner Design, Highland Park, Ill.
Living Space:10,000 square feet
Site:0.14 acre
Construction Cost:$500 per square
When builders Jake Goldberg and Jeff Berry first toured the
foot
complex, the masonry was in such disrepair, it was actually
dangerous, Berry says. But its generous size, historic character,
and prime location made the property a compelling subject for
reuse as an urban residence that, said our judges, lacks
nothing
contributing building in a landmark district
At the ground level they created an open courtyard that
provides private outdoor space and a source of daylight for the
cooking, living, and entertaining functions that surround it. The
second level, originally a stable (the horses walked up a ramp),
houses childrens bedrooms and opens onto a large roof deck.
The master suite, with its two private outdoor terraces, fills the

URBAN REVITALISATION

 Urban revitalisation is a participatory, democratic process

whereby those most affected, whether they be residents, retail or
commercial interests or local and regional governments where
they exist, combine their knowledge of the urban area or
neighbourhood to develop solutions that revitalise social and
economic conditions, as well as physical infrastructure
By having local representation by residents, business and other
community interest groups and by incorporating a strong
consultative approach to planning, urban revitalisation projects
have met with more success than traditional urban development
projects. This is partly due to an increased emphasis on
addressing local concerns and issues identified by affected
stakeholders; and by developing increased sensitivities to local
economies

Urban renewal, which is generally calledurban

regeneration("regeneration"in the United Kingdom),
"revitalization" in theUnited States, is a program of
landredevelopmentin areas of moderate to high density urban
land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its
modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed
nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s
under the rubric ofreconstruction. The process has had a major
impact on many urban landscapes, and has played an important
role in the history and demographics of cities around the world.
Urban renewal involves the relocation of businesses,
thedemolitionof structures, the relocation of people, and the use
of eminent domain(government purchase of property for public
purpose) as a legal instrument to take private property for cityinitiated development projects. This process is also carried out in
rural areas, referred to as village renewal, though it may not be
exactly the same in practice

CASE STUDY 1
The Downtown Project
Las Vegas, Nevada

History:
Unlike many urban renewal and revitalization programs, the
downtown project is not focusing on an area that is filled with
crumbling or rundown buildings. Rather, they are looking to
transform downtown Las Vegas into a Mecca for innovators and
entrepreneurs. Their stated goal is to turn the city into a place of
Inspiration, Entrepreneurial Energy, Creativity, Innovation, Upward
Mobility, and Discovery. The method of doing this is to promote
their 3Cs, Collisions, Co-Learning, and Connectedness, between
forward thinking people. They ambitiously plan on completing this
transformation within five years.
Impact:
Since 2012, the Downtown Project has made an allocation of $350
million towards revitalizing Downtown Las Vegas $200 million for
real estate, $50 million for education, $50 million toward small
businesses, and a final $50 million for the VegasTech Fund, which
aims to aid and promote tech startups. To date, over 800 jobs have
been created.
That Little Bit Extra:
So far, one of the most tangible accomplishments of the Downtown
Project is Container Park, repurposed shipping containers that are

CASE STUDY 2
The East Baltimore
Revitalization Initiative
Baltimore, Maryland

History:
Beginning in 2002, the goal of the East Baltimore Revitalization Initiative
has been a large-scale effort to renew a distressed and blighted
neighborhood that is adjacent to the John Hopkins University Hospital
complex. The goal is to transform the area into a mixed-income
residential community that provides economic opportunities for all
residents. The total cost of the project is expected to be $1.8 billion.
Impact:
The long-term goals are very ambitious over 2000 green homes, both
new and rehabilitated, 2 million square feet of commercial space, a 31
acre state-of-the-art Science and Technology Park, retail store and a
grocery store. Also, a $42 million, 90,000 square foot school campus
covering 7 acres, and recreational spaces will be used for the public.
That Little Bit Extra
The Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School (K- Grade 8)
and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Early Childhood Center comprise
the first new Baltimore public school building in East Baltimore in nearly
30 years.

CASE STUDY 3
Rolling Mill Hill
Nashville,
Tennessee

History:
Once little more than a collection of trolley barns and Art Deco hospital
buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this 34acre site sits on a bluff overlooking the Cumberland River. The trolley
barns originally served as the home for Nashvilles streetcar line and
on the National Register of Historic Places. In recent years, however,
the project had been stuck in redevelopment limbo, until recently
rehabilitated by a local developer.
Impact:
Now, it is a thriving live/work community with an ideal location in
downtown Nashvilles SoBro district, featuring mixed-income
residences, studios for artists, and commercial/retail/restaurant space.
So far, approximately $50 million of commercial/residential private
investment has occurred, along with another $14 million of public
money spent on clearing, cleanup, and installation of utilities. In the
coming years, it is expected that another $150 million will continue to
pour in.
That Little Bit Extra:
The developers have shown their commitment to green technology
and construction, and consequently, the entire area has been

CASE STUDY 4
Millennium Tower
Boston,
Massachusetts

History:
On September 17, 2013, the Millennium Tower project officially broke
ground. For years, an abandoned venture meant a gutted building
and a massive hole sullied a once-thriving Boston neighborhood. In
2012, the cast was taken over by millennium partners. The new
project will occupy the footprint of the Burnham Building, location of
the former flagship store of Filenes.
Impact:
Slated for completion in 2016, the $700 million redevelopment will
have 60 stories, and contain 1.2 million square feet of residential
and commercial space. It will include 450 condominiums and almost
100,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
That Little Bit Extra:
On April 26, 2014, the largest concrete pour in the history of Boston
began, when 600 cement trucks poured the slab for the Millennium
Tower, taking up 6000 cubic yards of concrete

THANK YOU!