4th St.

South
ST. PETERSBURG
A Walk of Urban Room
research study by Florida Center for Community Design + Research
 SYNOPSIS OF INFORMATION
PROJECT INTRODUCTION............................................................................. 5

ANALYSIS....................................................................................................... 6
TRANSPORTATION 8
LAND USE 10
FLOOD ZONES 12
POINTS OF INTEREST 14
RESEARCH TEAM
STRATEGY OF IMPLEMENTATION................................................................. 16
Josue Robles Caraballo M.Ach. Msci BUDD MASTER PLAN 18
Research Faculty in Architecture and Urban Design STRATEGY 20
Taryn E. Sabia, Ed.M., M.Arch, MUCD CONCEPTUAL SECTIONS 22
Research Associate Professor DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION 24

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS ANNEX: PRECEDENTS................................................................................... 36

Lawrence Raposo M.Arch Candidate

Kimberly Nogueira M.Arch Candidate

2
 4th St. South “A Walk of Urban Rooms”
research study by Florida Center for Community Design + Research

INTRODUCTION
Currently, the St. Petersburg’s down-
town enjoys of a rich social and cultural fab-
ric. Numerous amenities along the down-
town provide the opportunity to rediscover
and enjoy the city. A short distance away,
the Third and Fourth Street South corridors of-
fer a dissimilar experience.

The Third and Fourth Street South is

challenged with several underused or closed
establishments. Also, pedestrian use is also
compromised by heavy vehicular traffic,
and poor lighting along sidewalks. Many
stakeholders within the community have be-
gun to change the landscape and illustrate
a path to a healthy and thriving area.

This academic effort focuses on imag-

ining the landscape along the corridors. The
study illustrates a strategy to stimulate pe-
destrian use and along public urban rooms,
within Third and Fourth Street South. The pro-
posal also illustrates how different building ty-
pologies in combination with public spaces
can potentially help an area come alive.

4
AREA ANALYSIS
6
TRANSPORTATION
Connectivity to the City
Fourth and Third Street South are vi-
tal vehicular arteries connecting downtown
to the east and west of St. Petersburg. Also,
Fourth Street South is also connected to the
bus network with several and frequent stops
along the street.

Both corridors are a 15 minutes bike

ride from downtown. This presents the ur-
gency to include cycling dedicated lines to
safeguard current users and induce circling
traffic from the rest of city.

8
LAND USE
Potential Areas for Development
Illustration of different current land
use zoning within the area of study.

10
FLOOD ZONES
Building on A Rich History
The proximity of the area to the wa-
terfront is one of the corridors greatest assets
and also one of its greatest liabilities. Future
development of the area is challenged by
risk of flooding. This diagram illustrates the
flooding zoning of the area. As the area
is in a flood prone area, development on
the ground plain would be limited. This pres-
ents the opportunity to dedicate spaced
for public use as program would have
to be accommodated on upper floors.

12
POINTS OF INTEREST
Study of Building Type and Scale
The diagram illustrate underdevel-
oped sites along the corridors. The corridor
has many vacant retails spaces, as many
business have gone out of business. Closed
businesses create dead spaces for pedestri-
an, making the area unsafe. Dead or unsafe
spaces prevent users from engaging existing
public spaces with the corridors. The notion of
insecurity limits the desirability of patrons from
other area to support businesses in the area.

Also, this diagram illustrate many ac-
tive stakeholder such as The Pointers Institute,
All Children’s Hospital, USF St. Petersburg,
and Harborage Marina neighboring Third
and Fourth Street South. They can serve as
anchors for future development, therefore,
attracting more user and energy to the area.

14
STRATEGY OF
IMPLEMENTATION

16
 MID RISE

CO M M E R C I A L A X I S
MIX-USE
RESIDENTIAL

MASTER PLAN
A Walk of Urban Rooms MID RISE
STUDENT
This proposal will focus on regener- HOUSING
ation the public, private, and commercial
grain of the Fourth and Third Street South cor-
ridor. The development will string along the
existing vehicular and public transportation
within the corridors. In addition, the design
will anchored at local ecological assets in the
areas, the waterfront and Booker Creek. A
network of urban room will provide user with LOW RISE
a continues series of cultural, and social des- MIX-USE
tinations. A combination of graphic, spatial RESIDENTIAL
and programmatic stimulus will encourage
user to walk along the corridor. The combi- STUDENT HOUSING
nation of murals, street signs, and seating, will
create functional urban furniture. This pro-
vides the community with a functional can-
vas, that can be shaped over time. GR EEN A X IS
Envisioned building will host residen-
tial and commercial opportunities for the
area to address local residents and attract
visitors from other active areas of the city. LOW RISE
In addition, residential buildings will accom- MIX-USE
modate market rate and students housing, RESIDENTIAL
along with support program for residents. The MIX USE
commercial string of business along Fourth RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL
Street South will include cultural, entrainment GREEN SPACES
and commercial opportunities. MID RISE RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL
MIX-USE COMMERCIAL
Development west of Fourth Street LOW RISE RESIDENTIAL
MIX-USE RETAIL-ENTRAINMENT
South will respect existing architecture and
RESIDENTIAL URBAN ROOMS
should be limited to three stories. Reserving
PUBLIC - PRIVATE
the ground floor and street front facades for
LEISURE SPACES
commercial spaces. Residential units will face
west for privacy. Mid-rise development east
of Fourth Street South will also reserve ground
floor for commercial application. Upper sto-
ries facing street will accommodate support
community spaces for residents. Upper sto-
ries will be dedicated for housing units facing
Booker Creek, and waterfront.

18
STRATEGY OF IMPLEMENTATION
Research Proposal Goals
A. Create a path of urban rooms along Third and Fourth
Street South from downtown.

B. Identify necessary components for active and safe ur-

ban room.

C. Generate a system of graphic cues for both pedestri-

an and cyclist as means to anticipate spaces of public
amenities.

D. Incorporate housing opportunities for new residents

and students attending USF St. Petersburg.

E. Incorporate commercial venues to support residents

and visitors.

F. Accentuate access points to waterfront and Booker

Creek for pedestrian.

20
 3RD ST. S
6TH ST. S

4TH ST. S

Conceptual Sections
Conceptual sections illustrating cur-
rent built form and proposed new scale and
type of program. Propose developments will
concentrate their amenities to stimulate the
street scale for pedestrian and motorized ve-
hicles.

Development west of Fourth Street

South would be of a lower scale to respect
existing single family homes scale. Develop-
ment east of Fourth Street South will be of a
larger scale to allow ground level to be ac-
cessible to pedestrians and capitalize on
views to the waterfront.
PRIVATE AMENITIES PUBLIC AMENITIES PROPOSED BUILTFORM
22
DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION

24
 trees for shading

URBAN ROOMS
A Walk of Urban Rooms
As pedestrian walk down Third or Fourth
Street South they will receive several cues to antic-
ipate urban room for gathering. The sidewalk will
carry signature graphics dedicated for the inno-
vation district. Propose building will have walls for
murals, as means to capitalize on the energy and
popularity from murals throughout the city. Streets
signs will be incorporated to mural wall. Seating
spaces along the urban room will design as part
of the mural walls. Signature mood lighting will be
included along sidewalks.

The Urban Room will be for public use, but

space for cafe
also serve retail and entertainment. Urban rooms
will also be located by water-bodies and existing
public park to complement an maximize existing
use. green buffer from cars with seat

terraces for private amenities street sign + wall for mural

green buffer from cars

mood lighting
with seating

signature sidewalk pattern

26
seating street sign + wall for mural
 proposed green pedestrian corridor
Urban Room along Brooker Creek

public gathering space by creek

terraces for private amenities

signature sidewalk pattern

access to water from urban room

28
Urban Room along Brooker Creek

access to water from urban room green buffer runoff control

public gathering space by creek

district of innovation signature sidewalk pattern seating wide sidewalks

30
Walk Along Brooker Creek
The proposed pedestrian corridor
along Brooker Creek will provide shad-
ed seating for pedestrians. A green buffer
along the creek will partially control debris
of water runoff. The corridor will also con-
nect locals to new proposed student hous-
ing and restaurants and shops in mix use
buildings.
expand depth of sidewalk
32
Urban Room along Brooker Creek
The area is currently located with a
flooding prone zone. The limited program
allowed on ground floor allows to have
spaces for amenities, shaded spaces under
building could serve temporary program,
such as eating space for restaurants, and
amenities for residents - tenants.
space under buildings for amenities
 mix-use student housing
The area’s proximity to USF St. Pe-
tersburg campus would allow students to
have several means accessing campus.
Development will include support spaces
and amenities for students.

Amenities will face street and wa-

terfront to enhance experience. Higher
part of project will be dedicated to housing
modules with views to creek.

support spaces facing street residential component.

amenities engaging creek

34
 ANNEX

PRECEDENTS
PRECEDENT STUDIES
Architectural Works and Concepts for 4TH ST S

Compiled with the future of 4th St S in

mind, these precedent studies serve to act
as a catalyst for conversation about ideas
and projects that could begin to shape the
future of the community. The works set forth
within these pages are to be utilized for their
concepts of how the Architects recognized
problems and set forth solutions pertaining to
low income areas, sustainability, and com-
munity building.

The precedents set forth begin with

our opinions and describe their significance
to how they are relateable to 4th St S and
can contribute to the design process, high-
lighting each individual aspect.

Each precedent provided is de-

scribed through the architect’s or firm’s view,
depicting their ideology and how they set
forth to solving the difficulties that pertained
to their project. Each precedent is represent-
ed by the Architectural Firm’s name, and lo-
cation, which in many cases the latter can
help in determining why some problems are
evident, such as complications in climate,
or it’s proximity to adjacent busy cities or
streets, and how the Architect’s are able to
approach the issue.

Precedents included represent ex-

amples of Co-operative Projects, Social
Housing, Mixed Use, Market Rate Apart-
ments, and Community Civic Centers all of
which look to tackle problems in affordabili-
ty, sustainability, quality of life, and how they
can potentially increase the value of the res-
idencies rather than having a depreciation.

36
 MIXED USE
HOUSING AND OFFICES

38
 SPACUMER

L’EAU Design + Kim Dong-Jin

Seoul, South Korea

From the Architect:

Hongdae brand, which was originated from railroad that was used as a parking lot in

1990’s, has now became a place with many different cultures as the street with vari-

ous programs begin to expend in 21st century. Since then, places such as Sangsu-dong,

Hapjeong-dong and Yeonnam-dong begun to act as a brand, and ‘Hongdae’ became

something more than an ordinary place and created new alley culture. The concept of

different programs of street continuously extending and creating a new place, which

was expanded from the concept of various congregate in one-dimensional facade, in-

dicates the possibility of urban vitalization using urban culture and it is already proven by

Ssamzigil of Insa-dong.

In order to overcome and utilize the characteristic of Sangsu-dong, which is located

at the center of alley, we tried to expand the street three-dimensionally by relocating

elements for urban vitalization both horizontally and vertically.

Spacumer became the location of fetching (attracting) technique by putting Yellow

wall, Floating mass and Tracking stair side by side and blending them, and instead of

forcefully inducing the consumption of consumer goods within standardized booths that

are occupying the street, Spacumer act as a place that the consumers can walk around

the street enjoying and consuming the space itself.

In order for commercial facility to become an architecture that can respond to the sig-

nificance of purpose and urban, its program should not solely focus on specific function

but should be able to flexibly react to given situation. imilar to how the background of

present ‘Hongdae’ was formed from paradoxical harmony of interconnected programs

with diversified and unexpected combination, Sangsu-dong Spacumer will also act as a

pillar of special cultural manifestation in this area.

1
http://www.archdaily.com/778901/spacumer-leau-design-plus-kim-dong-jin

40
 REY VITACURA

CARRENO SARTORI archuitectos

Region Metropolitana, Chile

From the Architect:

The project introduces an open interior spatiality, in which the different levels are relat-

ed with the context through large windows and a gap which cross the interior.

While the first floor extends to the site edge through a side yard, the second one is facing

the street and the neighbor gardens. Finally, the terrace of the third level has views to the

valley and the Andes.

The products exhibition is related to the visual experience of the site, the city and the

valley, complementing the permanence in the building, where the clients come with

enough time to buy specific products.

The sequence of spaces and views is experienced through a set of stairs that differs in

their sizes and materials. The continuity between the first and second level is achieved

with a wide stair. After that, a lighter and vibrant metal stair is placed to link the terrace.

The relationship between parking spaces and use spaces is extremely required, forcing

a set of operations to clear the ground, defining the project physics. A concrete base

contains the building basement, organizing the first level and receiving a reticulated

metal structure, passing over the cars and their circulations.

The northern light is almost completely sealed, opening the building to indirect light of the

south. A brightly interior is achieved, in which the objects are exhibited avoiding the glare

of direct sunlight. The outside is directly illuminated, alternating inside and outside views.

1
http://www.archdaily.com/797841/rey-vitacura-carreno-sartori-arquitectos
42
 GLASS HOUSE AT SINDHORN

OFFICE AT
Bangkok, Thailand

From the Architect:

Sindhorn Building built in 1980, a more than 80,000 sq.m. Office building located on one

of the most beautiful road in Bangkok called Wireless road, has been extended several

times. Until now the owner has an intension to reimage the building by having a spec-

tacular building in front of it to create new image and programs to support the building.

Program: The main programs of the new building which is called “Glass house at Sind-

horn building” are 4 fine dining restaurants with mezzanine floor and one small cigar bar.

As well as, the site has a big tree that needs to preserve.

Separated: All fine dining restaurants are separated to connect indoor and outdoor

space and create better dining atmosphere. Moreover, they are combined together

with outdoor dining plaza.

View & Ventilation: By splitting all restaurants apart, Each restaurant and Sindhorn

building can easily access from public road. the new and existing buildings also get

better view and ventilation too.

Icon:The new glasshouse, a brand-new icon of Sindhorn building, represents new

image of the project, so it is shaped as crystal and this crystalized form is clad with glass

to match its own concept.

Shade: Moreover, the glasshouse location is on Wireless road where there are a lot of

big trees as the road symbolic. The roof is designed specially to reflect the feeling of

dining under tree shading.

1
http://www.archdaily.com/777173/glass-house-at-sindhorn-office-at

44
 LONSDALE STREET
DANDENONG

BKK Architects
Dandenong, Australia

From the Architect:

Lonsdale Street in central Dandenong is the first key infrastructure project delivered as

part of the State Government’s Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD) Initiative. The

RCD Initiative seeks to restore central Dandenong as the capital of Melbourne’s south

east and bring new energy, activity and amenity to the heart of this richly diverse urban

centre.

Lonsdale Street was historically a prosperous retail spine but in recent years had

developed into a major arterial route dissecting the retail heart and creating a significant

physical and psychological barrier to the city. BKK/TCL’s approach to Urban Design

projects of this magnitude is curatorial, recognising that successful urban design should

not be concerned with a fixed plan but instead offer key ideas that are fundamental

catalysts for change. Equally this project furthers BKK/TCL’s ongoing investigations into

place-making, and strategies that build upon local character, offering positive solutions

for change to strengthen and empower communities.

BKK/TCL’s approach to Urban Design projects of this magnitude is curatorial, offering key

ideas and strategic moves that are fundamental catalysts for change.

•Connections: Lonsdale Street became a key connecting catalyst, fostering clear and

legible street connections to each of the City’s key public assets.

•Street Life: Creating a memorable boulevard, animated along its length and connected

to a range to the wider city.

•Knitting into the Urban Morphology: Ensuring Lonsdale Street was structured to build

upon the distinctive urban structure of the City, reinforcing existing fine grain patterns.

•Protecting Valued Urban Places: Identifying opportunities to curate the ongoing

retention of cultural destinations and creating new opportunities for urban places and

activities.

•Investment and Design Excellence: Creating opportunities for investment and further

development via the creation of a rich and enduring public realm experience.

46 1
http://www.archdaily.com/412359/lonsdale-street-dandenong-bkk-architects
 NOVARTIS PHYSIC GARDEN

Thorbjorn Andersson + Sweco

Architects
Basel, Switzerland

From the Architect:

The Physic Garden is a place to celebrate sensuous phenomena of all kinds. It is a place

where mystic scents, changing colors, and seasonal variety can be enjoyed and stud-

ied. It is also a test bed for pharmacological research.

This Physic Garden at Novartis Campus is based on the monastery garden where, in

ancient times, monks developed their knowledge about the pharmaceutical properties

in plants, a knowledge that provided the foundation for today´s research efforts. These

were often hidden places, laboratories in the outdoors, secluded from public life, con-

taining secrets of utmost importance.

Consequently, the Physic Garden at Novartis is hidden, spatially organized as a theatre,

or as a labyrinth, or as an onion with many layers. The garden is semi-enclosed, and the

visitor enters through a zig-zag movement between backdrops of tall hedges of yew

(Taxus) and beech (Fagus). The garden reveals itself step by step. The one who searches

will find; a statement which is as relevant to the researcher of today as it was to the me-

dieval monk.

Having arrived at the center, a sunken planting bed opens up, containing 31 species of

pharmaceutical plants organized in a striped pattern. The slightly sunkenness of the ba-

sin adds to the preciousness of the plants, and placed inside the frame of a low granite

wall, these fragile specimens become untouchable. They are viewed from slightly above,

and we can read the flower bed as a colorful and textured painting or a striped carpet.

Bridges of light construction, without railings, span the sunken bed, permitting the daring

visitor a closer examination of the plants, each of which is labeled with an engraved

bronze plaque mounted at the edge of the bed.

1
http://www.archdaily.com/784051/novartis-physic-garden-thorbjorn-andersson-plus-sweco-architects
48
 WAITROSE, CHESTER

Broadway Malyan
Chester, United Kingdom

From the Architect:

Waitrose is a commercial development located on a key arterial route into Chester City

Centre. The scheme, designed by Broadway Malyan’s Liverpool director, Matt Brook,

comprises a new flagship Waitrose store together with a fully integrated public realm

including a new pedestrian bridge across the canal.

The project’s ability to blend seamlessly with the surrounding urban terrain is about un-

derstanding that the key to good supermarket design is the promotion of place - and

integral to this is the importance of sensitive scaling, well-considered geometry and

thoughtful materiality.

The building and public realm are designed as part of asouthern gateway to the Chester

Business Quarter, which also includes, on the opposite side of the canal, an additional

Matt Brook design, the fully consented mixed-use development incorporating Chester’s

Grade II listed shot tower* and former leadworks.

The supermarket’s massing sits within an elegant colonnade configuration that unifies

the entire scheme, giving it a strong civic presence. Active frontages along its three

principal facades engage with the surrounding area. This is particularly evident on

its south elevation where a series of flexible retail units animate the streetscape along

Boughton Road.

On the west elevation, the building’s public realm presents itself as a sloped walkway

that runs in parallel with the travelator hall. This allows the lower level car parking to be

concealed, while providing level access to the new footbridge that links directly with

the shot tower development and the wider Chester Central masterplan.

1
http://www.archdaily.com/642016/mann-island-broadway-malyan-2

50
 URBAN INSTALLATIONS
2014 + 2015
Graduate Studio, SA+CD

Prof. Josué Robles Caraballo

As a component of a series of graduate urban design studios at the USF’s School of Archi-

tecture and Community design, students design and built a series of urban installations to

generate awareness for vulnerable communities within the city of St. Petersburg.

52