Semester Publication

existing condition fututre condition

Borderland Transitions

Through my analysis I found a complex
relationship of borders and people.
Borders can be physical, political, and
social barriers but more binds the sides
than separates them. In Aachen/Vaals their
unique
landscape has shaped their history in more
ways than one. Through war times and
peace times the border has undergone
many changes but encourages human
interaction in a way the border has never
done before. My museum and business
plaza is protected with the natural
elements of the area
but encourages human interaction in a
way the border has never done before.
This plaza design adds economic and
residential opportunity to the city of
Aachen and Vaals. Through
the adoption of the history museum, the
unique history of this town is protected,
Through the park space now offered to
the residents, this place can be a place of
learning as well
as a place of play, which is the best way
the younger generations can learn.
Finally, through the preservation and
celebration of natural and human history
the cultural richness of
Aachen Vaals while providing economic
stimulus for future development.
Logan, Staley

Overall Plan

Paving Plan Section
Paving Plan Section

River Crossing Perspective

Water Retention Section

Landgraben Section Seating Section

Natural Play Section

Willkommen in
„Blanket“heim

Every space is experienced differently by
people. Everyone has their own point
of views of a space and whether or not
it is „good“ or „bad.“ Approaching the
Aachen-Vaals site with just that in mind,
this exhibit takes on a unique analytical
approach to places and their spatial
qualities. The analysis maps feelings and
experiences of the site at different times
and from different perspectives. This in
turn helped conclude that neither one
side was better than the other, rather, each
side had their own special characteristics
that should be introduced and used within
the site in order to blend the border.
Blanketheim not only utilizes the ideas
of the city of Aachen, but also provides
unique opportunities that give residents
living there an entire new space that they
can enjoy throughout the year.
From the analysis, the concept of this
design--the woven blanket--informs the
design decisions and creates an abstract
approach to the site. In order to do so,
the concept is taken quite literally. Since
a woven blanket takes times to create
using two different materials, the site,
too, will take time to complete as it is
broken down into phases. The goal of
this design is to slowly mend the two
diverse areas and ultimately dissolve the
border, commemorating it‘s history with a
museum and providing new opportunities
for the future of Aachen-Vaals.
Michael Beattie

Revamped Public Streetscape

Individual Concept Conceptual NG
Interpretation Diagram Site Diagram
Rainy Day
Weekend Public Spaces Private Spaces
Holiday
Nighttime Architecture NG Natural Landscape
Resident Identity Sights & Views
My Personal Conclusions
Culture Analysis
Amenities
Existing Site Conceptual Phases

Existing Conditions

•Introduces successful N G Phase 2 •Elements are exchanged
qualities of each side using across border
landscape design, but does NG •Border is beginning to
not cross the border dissolve
•Border still evident •Border is dissolved
•Feels like one space
•Introduce elements on their Phase 1 Phase 3 •Mixtures of design
respective side elements
•Brings successful qualities NG NG •Creates nicer transition
to attention from one place to the next

Conceptual Design
Phase 1

•Introduces successful qualities of each side
using landscape design, but does not cross
the border
•Border still evident
•Introduced park
•Water feature
•Outdoor café similar to others in Vaals
•Hedges

Phase 2

Analysis •Exchanges elements across border
Inventory •Border is beginning to dissolve
•Introduce 2 new buildings
•Parking on top of Naanhof
•Hedges
•Mamma Mia is converted to a Museum
•Public spaces in Germany

Phase 3

•“Woven Blanket” achieved
•Elements are successfully combined &
exchanged to create one new space
•Border is dissolved
•Added residential on top of parking
•Green roof & private green spaces
•Views out to landscape

Naanhof Plan Naanhof Section RESIDENTIAL
Border Museum Plan RESIDENTIAL
Development Plan
Border Museum PARKING
PARKING
New Development EXISTING
EXISTING

Border Museum Section

MUSEUM
MUSEUM

Development Section

RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL

OFFICE
OFFICE
DAYCARE

Innovating Accessibility

The programs we organize to fit within
our existing circulation patterns create the
social behaviors we experience.
As we improve our societies, the pace at
which we progress can prevent us from
admiring the aspects of our environment
that impact our lives on a daily basis.
The focus we have on our usual routines,
keeps us from slowing down and noticing
the world around us. Fortunately, the
innovations in mobility we create give us
the opportunity to form a cross roads with
this necessity to live in the moment. It
can do so by how we construct our future
urban roadways.
Urbanisation, sustainability and digitization
are all factors taken into consideration
for the future of the automobile. Future
cars, outfitted with cautious and precise
artificial intelligence, and improvements
in public transportation open the doors
to urban landscapes that can slow down
the circulation of vehicles in favor of
pedestrians that occupy their designated
routes. This concept design for the
German-Dutch Border in Vaals also
takes these factors into consideration,
relying on safer driving and introduced
environmental and commercial programs
to create a place for people to repose in
what is currently a car-controlled space.
Through design, we can hybridize
pedestrian- and automobile-designated
infrastructures to create a place that
is void of roads and exemplifies urban
environments where cars are allowed
through, but people are put first.
Ned Moore

No Need for Roads

Circulation of Programmatic Diagram
automobiles on the Pedestrian Desire Lines
border has been
modified to expand Vehicle
the amount of space Accessible
accessible to pedestrians
within the center of Routes
the site. The design
utilizes an elognated Hexagon Module Diagrams
round- about to improve
versatility in its center A‘
and further divide
roadways, decreasing 6m
vehicle dominance on
site. Public Green
Space
Automobile circulation Section Elevation A-A‘
is further suppressed
with the abandoning
of proper road design,
substituting linear
paths with hexagonal
pavement patterns.

Module binds to
adjacent modules from 6
sides, connecting several
adjacent programs
simultaneously

Angles create circulation
patterns unlike usual
roadways, wedging cars
and encouraging safer
driving.

Visual Metaphor for hive
technology of future
automobiles, not unlike the
sensory and awareness of hive
mentality found in Nature.

A

Public Green Vehicular Versatile Commercial
Space
Space Access

A‘
A

North 20m

Main Concept Design

North 20m

Site Extension

This design concept encourages liberal accessibility to site visitors
in which ever way they choose to use it. Making the German-Dutch
border a site for pedestrians over automobiles promotes safer driving
and less struggle for people to enjoy their surroundings.

Inviting in Scenery No Need to Worry

A New Look at History

Both Vaals and Aachen have very rich
histories. This is not surprising, as they
each reside in two very historically
influential countries. Through the years
and centuries, life in this part of the world
has changed greatly. This site inparticular
has seen much change, in that it has been
directly affected by international policies
and relations between the two countries,
not to mention nearby Belgium.
As we look at the site today, there is
still very much evidence of this once
highly influential divide. Although, the
border itself and the consequences for
crossing it are almost non-existant today.
Addintionally, whiile there is little to
no resistance to border traffic in each
direction, there is also very little continuity
in terms of street scape, aestetic, and
circulation functionality.
With this in mind, this project aims to
create a new transitional space that
improves the function of the streetscape at
the border. While highlighting the existing
landmarks and natural views of the area,
this project uses allusions to historical
border elements, once used to divide, to
instead unite the landscape of these two
historical communities. The centerpieces
of this space include a museum plaza
housed in a retired border customs
building, as well as a fountain lawn that
gestures to the communities beautiful
natural views. In short, this project seeks
to add value to the community moving
forward by paying homage to the areas
storied past.
Thomas Wert

Birdseye Perspective of Museum Plaza and Fountain

Using Historical Elements in Site Design
Visible Border Transition Today
Observation of Border Activity

Construction Plan for New/Existing Buildings

Circulation Plan for Museum Plaza
Birdseye of Museum and Commercial Plazas

Triangular Nature

A triangle is three points where two lines
meet, creating the strongest shape in nature.
Here at the boarder of Germany and the
Netherlands, specifically where the cities of
Aachen and Vaals meet, there once existed
a strong line that divided the two countries,
thus dividing the two cities and their cultures.
Now that the boarder is open and the two
areas coexist well, this green plaza aims to
further enhance and connect their unique
features through the use of triangular volumes.
This space draws nature into the developed
communities, creates a place for communities
members and guests to interact and connect,
and exhibit and learn more about the area‘s
historical past.
Through studying people‘s movement patterns
in nearby public spaces, it was noticed that
men and women move about open spaces
differently. In studying these movement
patterns, the paths of people‘s movements,
when overlayed on top of one another,
created a patchwork that featured a network
of triangular shapes. Playing off of this pattern
that was created, triangular shapes were
organized over the site in relation to how men
and women were projected to move across
the projected program of the site. These
shapes help to define channels of movement,
create landform change, and design volumes
of space. Elevated triangular shapes provide
unique views to the surrounding landscape
and create programmed spaces below. Other
volumes of space are created for planting
areas, water features, and seating areas. The
central lawn space provides area for open
activity, boarded by a strong line that can be
followed around the outskirts of the site. Pause
points, such as the cafe, museum gallery, and
the swing structure, serve to attract visitors
to these areas of the site and thus help the
overall circulation of the site. This green plaza
also connects to the surrouding landscape by
featuring elevated triangles that match those
within the site boundary to create a visual
connection from the site, encouraging guests
to venture out to explore the landscapes
adjacent to the site.
Overall, this green plaza aims to utilize a
simple yet strong shape to direct movement,
highlight unique views, and define areas of
program and activity.
Tori Frydrych

plaza entry from Maastrichterlaan and Grensstraat intersection

site analysis

X28
X2

tracking movement representing movement site study conclusions
People‘s movement patterns were studied in three Visual collage representations of these diagrams Different user groups were then considered and how
types of areas near the site- two public plazas, two were created to highlight the different patterns they would be projected to move about the site.
sidewalks adjacent to the main roadway, and two of movement of men and women and show These scenarios were overlayed and conclusions
transition zones where pedestrians and vehicles demographics of the area using photos taken on site. were drawn using the hot spots of movement which
were in close proximity. Movements were tracked in showed how people should best navigate the site
diagrams such as this. once designed and programmed.

project goals

DEOFFINMEOCVHEAMNENNETLS

DESIOGFNSVPOACLUEMES

CREATE LANDFORM scale: 5cm = 100m

site plan

SILVER BIRCH NORWAY MAPLE GINKGO BILOB COPPER COMMON BUGLOSS OROBANCHACEAE COPPER CHAMOMILE TRIANGULAR COPPER
PAVING
materials

scale: 2.5cm = 100 m proposed building density

site lighting plan

swing sculpture and museum gallery view from top of elevated cafe lawn

ENTRY museum gallery kiosk redesign
WATER FEATURE
ELEV&ATCEADFLEAWN OPEN CENTRAL LAWN
CAFE SEATING & EMLUESVEAUTEMDGLAALWLENRY

SWINGS

TRIANGLE LAWN

site section

The Community Designed
Project

This process is used to design spaces
through community engagement so that
the resulting designs fit needs of the
community. The process is broken down
into four phases. In the first phase, large
community events like a neighborhood-
wide dinner or an open-air movie night
are planned around the area. These
events are not for design purposes
but aim to show residents the hidden
opportunities of mundane or neglected
spaces, encouraging people to open
their minds to the potential of different
spaces. In phase two, the design team
uses community meetings, charettes and
crowd-sourcing methods to gain a deeper
understanding of the area and insight into
the public’s desires in a new space. With
these findings, the design team moves in
to phase three, identifying locations to set
up temporary installations that respond
to the needs of the community and new
ideas from the designers. Over time, the
design team observes these spaces and
talks with the community to see how they
use them and what they like and don’t
like about the different aspects of the
installations. In the fourth phase, all these
efforts culminate in a series of community
charettes which generate conceptual
designs for the space. Designers
refined the concepts and work with the
community to move toward a single
design, which is eventually constructed.
Volunteers can help planting trees,
assembling structures, and with general
site maintenance, allowing them to take
ownership and responsibility for their
space. In the end, this process creates a
design that listens to the community and
enhances public space.
Zoe Roane-Hopkins

Phase 3: Temporary installations

Aachen & Vaals Graffiti in Leftover Spaces Study Graffiti on Electrical Boxes Repeat Offenders
Blank walls in unused areas or Electrial boxes are a prime target
inside doorways get tagged. Over Writing for graffiti, possibly because they
Mutual respect for other graffiti are blank canvases and aren’t
artists is not evident, as numerous usable by the general public.
people have pained over the
original image of the pumpkin.

Zoe Roane-Hopkins

Fadedd Words The Border The Kiosk The Color of Graffiti
Most of the graffiti is text, written in a There seems to be a higher Interetingly, this mural painted on
single color. It’s interesting how often, concentration of graffiti on the Kiosk is the only one found Site Portrait: Graffiti
the words are written to be the border wall and on along the main road. There is very
purposefully difficult to read. adjacent buildings. Graffiti little graffiti on and around the
decreases moving in to the kiosk and what graffiti does exist
residential part of Aachen. is old and faded.

Phase 1: Transforming the meaning of space through community
events

Phase 2: Temporary installations

Phase 3: Temporary installations Phase 4: Creating community-designed spaces

The final design

Exhibition in
Vaalser Quartier

December 2018