Thomas Greene Park Redesign
This project was for the XR for the Real World class, where we apply XR technologies to a design of a real world site in our local, urban environment.
We were assigned Thomas Greene Park in Brooklyn to deign and augment using XR technologies. Through this, we explored Smart City research methodologies, public space planning, and design techniques.
TEAM
Sara Kobayashi
Binna Lee
Sarah Tsao
Simran Jagnik
APPLICATIONS USED
Unity
SketchUp
Rhino
Adobe Photoshop
MY ROLE
I acted as the modeler, creating park elements such as buildings, pool deck, and playground structures using SketchUp and Rhino. I also modeled furniture based off of the sketch my teammate, Binna, designed herself.
For the final presentation, I created the park visuals by photoshopping real people in the images above.
CURRENT THOMAS GREENE PARK
Illustration by Sara Kobayashi
OUR CONCEPT
We believe that the current park should have more greenery, be more immersed in nature, and allow the community to have a space that they can escape to- a place where they can recalibrate from living in this big, chaotic city.
With so many ideas flowing, it was important for our team to narrow our ideas down to the following four concepts and keywords. Each of us chose a keyword- a design concept that would unite the park as a whole:
Sparks Curiosity- stimulating ideas through surroundings of interesting environments- having an open space for more creative ventures
Sensory Experience- exploring nature through all senses- walking, seating, and playing
Modern Zen- creating an awareness of nature through minimalistic approach
Nature Oasis- creating a quick getaway from the concrete jungle
Sketch by Binna Lee
IDENTIFYING & TACKLING PROBLEMS
While there are many great details about the current park, we began to think about what could be improved and what would better the community’s needs. In the end, we came up with four improvement categories to focus on, along with ideas that would improve the current park.
Since the location of Thomas Greene park is compact, we narrowed down which existing park elements to improve to not overwhelm the park goers with too many elements and structures. We also did not want to change the park too much and make the newly redesigned park feel foreign to the current community, so we kept as many existing elements as possible.
1. Too conventional
The first problem we identified was the current park being too conventional. There are currently no standing feature that distinguishes the park from others.
We believe that each park should be unique and possess its own qualities and characteristics that help provide a meaning to this specific park. This inspired us to create a design that makes this park worth caring about.
Formal Entrance
We implemented a formal entrance that also act as the landmark of the park. The location of the entrance was strategically placed on the Southeast corner of the park, where the foot traffic is the highest due to the close subway and bus stations. From the entrance, park goers are guided into the park and out to the Gowanus Canal on the west side of the park. The entrance is also a viewing point, where park goers can climb up the entrance for a view of the park from above.
Outdoor Amphitheater (OAT)
An OAT was added to our park design to make the park less conventional. Not only does the OAT create an open space where the community can gather, it also provides a large space for greenery perfect to picnic on with family and friends. The park cafe located underneath the OAT utilizes the elevation of the land and compact nature of the space well.
2. Layout
The second point we wanted to improve was the layout of the current park. The park is currently divided into sections with tiered levels and no accessibility from the middle of the park. With the park being separated into sections with fences, it loses a sense of connected community.
We believe that connecting the park as a whole with something as simple as a path that runs through the park from the Northeast corner to the Southwest corner can help guide park goers into the park and bring back a sense of community and belonging.
Stream & Water Element
A small stream was added through the park to guide the park goers to the Gowanus Canal, bringing people to the other side of the park that is currently deserted as well.
This natural stream begins where the elevation is the highest on the landscape, on the Northeast side where the pool is situated on our redesigned plan. Using the topographical nature of the incline, the stream is able to naturally flow through the park down to the Gownaus canal.
3. Layout
The third problem we identified is the current park’s unused space. There are extra handball courts that are not frequently used, pool area that is only open over the summer months, and driveways and streets surrounding the park towards the canal that can be put to good use by redesigning it into a functional space that is open and accessible to the community.
Sports
While we kept the basketball courts that were heavily utilized by the community, we converted the handball courts into a skateboarding park since there are currently skateboarding summer camps and lessons held at the Park’s blacktop area.
Playground
Although the current park has a playground for children, we also wanted to convert some of the unused space into another playground for older children and even adults.
Beginning with modifications to the current playground structures, we added an abstract structure that would spark imagination amongst children. Location was planned as well, with the playground being placed in the middle of the park where there are a lot of foot traffic and eyes around, and where parents can overlook the playground from higher elevation.
We also added an open gym catered for older children and adults. After experiencing the pandemic lockdown and being cooped in our tiny apartments for so long, we wanted a space where people of all ages can go outside and move their bodies. Since the neighborhood is known for its numerous sports and athletic gyms, we included an area where the community members can exercise and be active.
Bridge
Although located outside of the park, we noticed that the driveway near the canal was unused. Since a large portion of our park consists of guiding the park goers towards the canal and to the waterway, we created a pedestrian bridge over the canal that can take the park goers to the other side of the canal. This bridge is built to cater a Communal space, such as a farmers market and community fairs.
4. Seasonal Restrictions
Examining the overall design for the current park, we realized that most of the space is hard to use year round, especially in the winter. We believe that by converting areas such as the pool into a convertible indoor/ outdoor pool can help the park attract park goers year round.
Open Greenery
During the rainy months, water seems to flood the park and the surrounding neighborhoods due to the lack of green infrastructures that could absorb the rainwater to prevent flooding. To combat this problem, we converted the extra handball courts and large black-top space into open green space that can manage stormwater.
Year Round Pool
Currently the pool is only open during the summer season, but because the pool and the surrounding structures take up a lot of space in the park, we redesigned the pool to be operational year round.
The new structure was inspired by the company, DynaDome’s pool structure that slides open and closed based on the season and weather. Since the pool is a large structure that stands out, we also added a pool deck where park goers can sit and relax on the furniture around the pool. The pool is placed on the north east corner of the park because of the higher elevation where the pool can be created without hitting ground water.
