USF SACD Student Urban Design

SA+CD Urban Design Studio
Localizing Social Capital
St. Petersburg Waterfront Masterplan | Urban Design Studio C

School of Architecture + Community Design
University of South Florida
Edited by Josue Robles Caraballo MArch. MSci.
Credits
INSTRUCTOR
Josue Robles Caraballo, MArch, MSci
Editor + Adjunct Professor
Andrew M. Hayes AIA
Adjunct Professor
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Kendall Alhberg, MArch
Graduate Student
STUDENT TEAM ONE
Fancy Diaz
Lilian Merhi
Bonnie Newman
Gabriel Rodgers
STUDENT TEAM TWO
Jeffery Stewart
Aaron Mauro
Matthew Barrentine
Linaea Floden
Acknowledgments
A City Is Its People, Urban Visioning Acknowledgement

by Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Deputy Mayor St. Petersburg, Florida
A city is its people. It is those born within its boundaries who would never think to call another place
home and those who have come from far away
to be any place other than home. It belongs equally to the lifers and the transplantsto the families
that have been here for generations, and to generations yet to be born. A city sings the songs of its
people. It belts the enthusiastic vibrato of boom
times and cries the plaintiff wail of dreams deferred.
From many voices, countless experiences, one
song rings out as the sound of a citys soul.
All of a city its triumphs and trials, challenges and
changes are carried in that soul, through the ages,
into the future. A city belongs equally to those who
find themselves at home, with purpose and those
for whom happenstance authored an address. Its
geography is largely etched in stone, but its character, color and culture flow as freely as its people
allow or disrupt.
Every city is defined, in part and whole, by those
who occupy its neighborhoods, drink in its bars,
learn in its classrooms and play in its parks. It is as
daring as the leaders who emerge to chart its
course and as bold as the dreamers who envision
what could be. It is made authentic by the systemic
inclusion of all who comprise it.
The strongest cities engage every corner of their
communities, drawing out the nuanced dynamics that define quality of life for their inhabitants.
These cities count on and cultivate their dreamers; insisting on ambitious appetites for innovation
that refuse to be sated. And, they empower and
amplify their leaders; nurturing ideas that yield the
sustaining social capital that blooms as the fruit of
progress. This social capital is the common thread

of currency that ensures a city can afford to be its
biggest, boldest, most-pioneering self.
St. Petersburg is masterful in its collection of this
currency. It recognizes that social capital and the
subsequent inclination to engage is found in many
forms, and if facilitated, pours forth from everyone who calls this place home in their ways, in
their places, in their time for our city. This social
capital demands regard for and the pursuit of equitable representation and consideration in a way
that prevents the future from falling casualty to the
mistrust, resentment and devolution that disparity
breeds. St. Petersburg thrives and will codify its currency of social capital with continued investment
in the value proposition of civic engagement that
is rooted in community empowerment and visioning. Important academic and theoretical projects,
such as the USF SACD Urban Design Studio, not only
examine this truth, but breathe life into the practicum that serves as a living lab for our joint understanding and application.
The hybrid product of science and art that comes
to life in a civic design think tank stands to transform
our citys approach to placemaking by infusing
the important practice of civic engagement into
the essence of every significant consideration that
shapes our communitys future.
From exercises in tactical urbanism to honoring our
citys historical precedents, an urban visioning think
tank and research center that ponders the perennial question of what if, as it relates to our city, is
a tool that helps ensure we are never a city resting
on What is.
Table of Content ii
i. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ii. TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 LOCALIZING SOCIAL CAPITAL

7
Josue Robles Caraballo

2.0 INTRODUCTION: ST. PETERSBURG WATERFRONT
11
Andrew M. Hayes

3.0 INSTRUCTORS 18
4.0 PARTICIPATORY ANALYSIS
21
4.1 Team One 23
4.2 Team Two 27

5.0 PARTICIPATORY FIELD ANALYSIS
31
5.1 Team One 35
5.2 Team Two 37
6.0 INSTALLATION. CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT
41
6.1 Team One 43
6.2 Team Two 53
7.0 WATERFRONT MASTER PLANNING
63
7.1 Team One 65
7.2 Team Two 93

8.0 REFLECTIONS 121
9.0 LIST OF FIGURES
123
LOCALIZING SOCIAL CAPITAL
Community Design Beyond the Classroom Walls.

by Josue Robles Caraballo, Lecturer + Studio Instructor SA+CD University of South Florida
With a lively waterfront, proud built icons and a
constant growth the city of St. Petersburg has become a popular destination to live, work, and visit.
The city has continuously embraced its cultural
diversity and provides venues for the locals to engage in lifestyles that best serves their wants and
needs. Finding great pride it the citys progressive
nature; residents, business owners and civic leaders are in constant development of underdeveloped parts of the city. Such effort does not take
form easily, even with great success, there is no
community development silver bullet and every
community possesses a new set of opportunities
and challenges.
In the spring of 2013, a collaboration between the
graduate students of the USF School of Architecture + Community Design and a series of stakeholders from the city of St. Petersburg took on the challenge to identify, analyze and propose a number
of community design alternatives within the city.
This exercise provided a platform to illustrate both
the communities socio-cultural pillars and immediate vulnerabilities. In addition, the participatory
efforts between residents, business owners and
civic leaders generate an opportunity for students
to bridge the academic threshold, allowing the
students to work hand by hand with community
members beyond the classroom setting.
The first phase of the semester long effort commenced by hosting a series of workshops with a
range of different community stake holder; resident, business owners, and civil leaders. To maximize the level of exposure and richness of the
debate, all 3 workshops included guests from different communities within the city. The workshops
allowed the students and guest to discuss topics

on education, employment, transportation, access to fresh food, public events, and community
spaces. The workshop reviled new information to
students and guest alike, many of the locals have
never had the opportunity to hear what other
communities were experiencing in everyday basis.
In addition, observing the dialog between stake
holders from different part of the city had proven
to be the true value of the workshops.
After concluding with all the community workshops, students created a collective pool of data
to cross-reference all potential findings. Information gathered was used to inform the following
studio exercise. Students prepared a series of
analytical mapping illustrating the areas with high
+ low social capital energy. For this exercise, students identified the areas of the city that were the
healthiest for its residents/users in contrast to areas
that offer the least. Students identified the areas
along the waterfront, downtown, and Central avenue with the most assets for their residents/users;
providing more opportunities in regards to employment, transportation, access to food, security,
and community spaces. On the opposite side of
the coin, neighborhoods such as Melrose Mercy
provided the most challenges. Residents/users
from the Melrose Mercy communicated the lack
of employment, access to fresh food and high
criminal incidence. This underdeveloped area
also had a rich cultural history. The Melrose Merci
was home to Manhattans Casino a once part of
active main street in the heart of this predominantly African American neighborhood. Allowing
the students to understand their current state while
respecting the areas past.
1.0
The student continued to engage the community

by designing, building and documenting the interaction of resident with a series of urban installation
along the waterfront. The installation allowed the
student to further clarify information gathered and
analyzed during workshops. This process not only
challenged their capacity to craft installations in
a critical manner, but extended their threshold of
communion with residents and visitors alike. In this
process student continuously documented the
lack awareness of conditions affecting other underdeveloped neighborhoods. Installations were
only available to the public for a few days, nonetheless, this short period of time proved the values
of this socio-spatial exercise. The installation critically extended the students socio-cultural analytical threshold, while illustrating the spatial potential
of different venues in the city.
After concluding the analytical part of the exercise, student focused all efforts in to developing
design opportunities for the betterment of several
communities. Particularly interesting all student
groups departed from the premises that no single
community was in better or worst state, but decided to design for opportunities that allow several
communities to show case their history and built
a future spaces focused in what was or is strong.
Students design intervention built community connections or generated possible destinations to
induce a communal exchange, inducing community members to envision the city beyond their
current neighborhood, to induce users to envision
the city as a whole.
Beyond the different design resolutions provided
by the students, the greatest value of this effort

comes from the collaboration between practitioners and users. Working closely with community
poses great challenges and at the end of the day
it does not ensures a just or efficient community
design. Nonetheless, collaboration informs design
surpassing assumptions and shaping communities
as a whole. In one hand, allowing students to further their understanding of spatial implementation
beyond the classroom, in the other, creating a
channel of communicating for those affected in
everyday basis.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014
11
ANDREW M. HAYES. AIA, LEED BD+C

The nations urban population increased by 12.1%
from 2000 to 2010, outpacing the overall growth
rate in America of 9.7% for the same period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This occurred
while the world was undergoing the largest wave
of urban growth ever. In the book The Endless
City, Ricky Burdett and Phillip Rode point out
that by the end of 2009, for the first time in human
history, more than half of the worlds population
was living in towns and cities. However, during this
same period the city of St Petersburg actually decreased in population, albeit slightly.
Communities across the United States are facing
significant challenges. Much of the time these
challenges manifest themselves through the
symptoms of dilapidated buildings and crumbling infrastructure. We see these manifestations in
some areas despite significant capital investment,
technological innovation and signs of prosperity in other parts of the same city. But why would
this be? What would cause such severe extremes
within close proximity to one another?
St Petersburg, Florida is one such city. It has a vibrant waterfront and adjacent downtown, yet
several neighborhoods are challenged to provide
basic needs for their residents. Over the past few
decades St Pete has struggled to strengthen its
neighborhoods, update an aged housing stock
and provide a just distribution of services. Like
many cities of its size across America, it continues
to be challenged with how to create vibrancy and
economic self sufficiency in its inner city. Several
strong mayors have made attempts to improve
the area known as Midtown. And some have had
limited success, however significant challenges still
remain.
The USF School of Architecture and Community

Design elected to take up this civic challenge as
part of its curriculum; focusing students of its urban
design studio upon both the Downtown waterfront
and Midtown neighborhoods. We began with the
question How do we leverage the waterfront to
build social capital in Midtown? The studio was
comprised of students seeking their Master of Architecture degree; in their last organized studio as
part of the coursework before they enter their final
year which is focused upon production of a thesis.
In framing this effort to localize the notion of social
capital within Midtown we started by conducting three panel discussions with key St Petersburg
stakeholders. The panels included representatives
of the Midtown neighborhoods, business owners
on south 22nd Street, community leaders of various
organizations vital to the Melrose Mercy neighborhood, local artists, key City staff members and City
political leaders. Once the panel discussions were
completed, the studio traveled to San Juan Puerto
Rico. We used San Juan as a case study; looking
at their underserved neighborhoods, tourism industry and waterfront. Upon returning the students
engaged in a short analysis and documentation
effort to quickly illustrate the precedents found
within the rich Puerto Rican urban context.
The students formed teams, and were then given
a short exercise to design and fabricate a public
installation, and document the publics interaction
with it. The point of this intervention exercise was to
create public awareness of the disparities found
in social capital between various areas within St
Pete. And the studio culminated with these same
student teams then taking the learning experience
of the installation, and applying it to create an ur-
2.0
Introduction
13
Like many American cities, in St Petersburg there

is tension and debate. At the intersection of this
debate are cultural precepts, economic vitality
and social justice. It is unclear where government
intervention is warranted as well as where social
and market forces must be left to find equilibrium.
How do we, as a society, live in harmony while
developing and implementing public policy with
guiding principles and vision that creates organic opportunity? How do we ensure a reasonable
livelihood for all individual citizens and perpetuate
sustainable communities over time?
What must we do as citizens, urbanists, planners
and political leaders to assume a role of responsibility and make a significant contribution toward
resolving these critical challenges in third millennium?
In antiquity, there was much philosophical discussion regarding how to best live in harmony, plan,
create, and organize the City for the good of all its
citizens. Platos historic dialogue on The Republic,
was searching for the principles upon which a just
society could be built. Plato posited that through
a division of labor between citizens, and their
codependence upon each other to share the
fruits of their labor to satisfy basic needs, a framework is created to facilitate the development of a
just society.
But Plato also created another segment of society,
separate from the commerce centered portion, in

order to provide protection (guardians) and governance (legislators) for the City. His intention in
doing this was to keep these two groups separate
from monetary transactions and eliminate the possibility of corruption. Their basic needs were to be
provided by the state, where their allegiance was
expected to rest. But Socrates points out a potential fallacy in the model Plato posited. By creating two separate groups within society, Plato may
actually create the unintended consequence of
disharmony within the City. Socrates is critical of
this approach citing inevitable friction between
the two classes of Platonic society; laborers and
public servants. We will leave you to make your
own judgments on the applicability of these observations to American society today.
ently, it is critical that architects practicing with a

focus upon urbanism understand what is relevant
to our communities.
After almost two and a half centuries, the American experiment with democracy is still grappling
with how to implement government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Currently
we are failing to engage citizens in active and
continuous pursuit of a just society. The economic
meltdown of 2008 2009 has exacerbated the
challenges of ensuring justice within our cities, as
many urban neighborhoods no longer function
for the residents who live there. This situation has
caused other major social challenges as well. The
questions of poverty, social capital and just distribution of resources amid these conditions is placing significant stress on local, state and national
government as well as non-profit agencies.
Today within America there are many, many issues to address. What is appropriate for us as citizens, urbanists, architects and planners to filter out,
amongst the noise, in order to allow the important
and relevant urban issues to rise to the top? Pres-
In analyzing the social and cultural issues found,

the students attempted to grapple with determining the root causes for these conditions. Through
these explorations the students attempted to
identify a point at which to intervene as designers.
Their goal was to find how they could positively
affect the quality of life in Midtown through their
urban design concepts.
In an attempt to lead the social discourse on what

kind of communities American cities need, and
American citizens want, we have chosen to use
St Petersburg as a case study. It is critical that we
analyze what its residents value within the built
environment, in order to anticipate how future issues such as smart growth, public transportation,
affordable housing and access to good quality
schools are to be solved. It is absolutely imperative that the public be engaged in this critical civic
dialogue at every level; in our neighborhoods, on
local city municipal boards, with city political leaders and in our legislatures.
This thread of conceptual thought is based upon

the mathematical definition of an inflection
point. We have conscripted the term; its actual
definition is the point on a line where the slope
changes from positive to negative, or vice versa.
We use this concept to attempt to identify the
most appropriate point to intervene into the physical realm. It appears that this concept could lend
itself to understanding where it is appropriate to
intervene into a city or urban community in order
to improve quality of life and provide enduring,
sustainable and transformational change.

The means to illustrate this idea of social capital
utilizes the notion of lenses for developing perspective on the subject. In contemplation of
these concerns, and in order to gain insight into
the critical issues facing the Midtown area of St
Petersburg, some themes emerged. These themes
appear to offer relevance to the understanding of
quality of life within urban neighborhoods and the
ability to improve and sustain it over time. The current lenses utilized for analysis within the context of
this particular urban case study are:

resilience

vulnerability

mobility

authenticity
In this context resilience is characterized by a communitys ability to withstand tremendous change
and degradation to quality of life and economic
opportunity. We have attempted to look at the
following factors:

access to:

nutritious food

clothing

appropriate housing alternatives
Another vitally important measure that defines the
quality of life in an area is public safety. There are
two aspects to this, one actual and the other perceived. Actual public safety is typically defined in
terms of crime incidents and the possibility to be a
victim of crime. However, the perception of public
safety deals with how residents perceive the physical space of their personal surroundings as they
interact with and move through it.
Crime statistics are frequently used to define
ban design concept that could build social capital. The focus of the critical urban master planning
was to address the disparities found in levels of
social capital between Midtown, the Waterfront,
and various other areas within St Petersburg.
15
Economic opportunity provided fairly and equally

for all residents, is one of the core responsibilities
of a just government. This is a difficult and nebulous challenge, as economic opportunity is principally provided through the work and activities
of private enterprise. But what local government
can do, and should do, is ensure equal access to
economic opportunity for its residents. Within this
exercise we have defined this concept as mobility.
This is characterized by a range of transportation
choices which facilitate independence and allow
for the possibility of:

improved quality of life

employment opportunity & livelihood

access to a good quality education
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a notable French philosopher of the 18th century who influenced the
French Revolution, authored a treatise on the holistic education of the archetypal citizen. In this
text he devoted much thought to the impact of
authenticity on society. In the book The Politics of
Authenticity, Marshall Berman said this about his
work:
The task Rousseau set for himself as a political theorist was to imagine a community in which men
could be freely and openly themselves, and in

which they could discover and express the fullness
of their powers, and in which personal authenticity
could be a politically cohesive force.
In taking up this analysis we strive to play a constructive and collaborative role in the creation
of a just community. So we have elected to concern ourselves with attempting to understand the
creation of genuine social and economic vitality.
But in taking this goal upon ourselves, we must endeavor to understand local cultural precedents,
the historical fabric of the community, and local
commerce. At the core of these threads lies authenticity. This requires understanding and preserving the relationship between:

multi-generational history of local residents

local cultural traditions and folklore

historic built environment and neighborhood fabric
American cities are now a very complex series of
interrelated systems that typically exist in a state of
flux, as the city grows and evolves. Within all of the
sub-systems that support a city, some level of discord occurs at any given moment. All indications
are that the trend for people to migrate back into
urban areas will continue and the rate of urbanization will increase; thus fueling the flux and discord
of American cities for the foreseeable future.
It is the domain of architecture and urban design
to address the physical, spatial and aesthetic
qualities of the city. But in order to do so in an
ethical way, with real agency, we must endeavor
to understand the complex cultural, societal, political and economic challenges facing the Ameri-
public safety and readily accessible for use and

interpretation for the purpose of developing public policy. In the context of this studio, we have
elected to focus upon the vulnerability that local
residents are aware of, as they move through their
neighborhood in the course of daily life. We have
focused upon the perception of safety and security, or lack of it, within the following realms:

home

neighborhood streets

public or semi-public space(s)
17
In order to effect the long lasting and transformational change that is necessary, it is absolutely
critical that citizens of St Petersburg collectively
engage in civic discourse on what their neighborhoods need. This dialogue should be framed by
the challenges of today, utilizing empirical data
wherever possible, but focus upon proactive solutions for tomorrow. This will require digging deep
to understand the root causes of these urban
challenges. It will also require us collectively, as a
community, to attempt to understand this notion
of social capital and use it as a factor to evaluate
whether potential solutions could be effective.
The primary pedagogical goal of this studio was
to introduce the students to the concept of social
capital. Our hope was that in the processing of
learning they would internalize the importance of
understanding social capital as an underpinning,
essential to the successful intervention into the
physical and civic realm of a neighborhood. The
installations created by the students, were experiments that provided immediate feedback on how
people react to interventions into civic space. But
this exercise also gave them a direct experience
about how difficult it is to link social issues to a
physical object that is being used as a catalyst to
create increased public awareness on a particular social issue.
The strategic purpose of this urban design studio,
at this time, in St Petersburg was to also act as a
catalyst for meaningful public dialogue by simply
posing the question what if? And then, using the
notion of social capital as a measuring stick; attempting to determine the impact of proposed
design solutions on the potential to improve the
quality of life of as many current residents as possible.
In striving to make a difference in the aggregate
social capital of St Petersburg, the students were
immersed within two realms. First, that the city exists as a series of complex interrelated systems;
land use, parking, pedestrian movement, civic
space, landscape ecology, vistas, way-finding,
transportation, historic fabric, and cultural traditions to name but a few. And second, that each of
these systems flows through every neighborhood
within the city; making up a very complex, diverse
and rich series of spatial, social, and economic relationships.
Our hope with this exercise is that we provided,
as much as possible, an objective theoretical approach. An approach that perhaps offers benefits
and a possible new methodology for future urban
design praxis. Perhaps even, an evaluation tool
for potential future interventions within the city of
St Petersburg; one that could have positive implications for other American cities of similar size as
well.
can cities of our time. And this will require civic

engagement of an expanded sphere of atypical
collaborators.
19
Josue Robles Caraballo MArch, MSci

Visiting Assistant Professor + Editor
Josu attended the University of South Floridas School of Architecture

+ Community Design, receiving a Masters in Architecture in 2007.
As a student, his graduate masters project marked the beginning
of his interest in community led architecture and urban design,
where he explored issues in urban and community planning. Upon
graduation, he joined Mesh Architecture, Halflants+Pichette Studio
for Modern Architecture, and SchenkelSchultz Architecture, where
he contributed to numerous housing and institutional projects.
Robles Caraballo completed a second Masters in Science degree
in Building and Urban Design Development from the Bartletts
Development Planning Unit at University College London in
2011. During that year, he conducted field research focused on
community-led urban design initiatives in Bangkok, Port-au-Prince,
Brescia, and London.
Josu has led several graduate design studios exploring the
complex socio-cultural dimensions of architecture and community
design. His advance graduate studios have participated in several
local and international participatory design programs, including the
Bartletts DPU London SummerLab in 2013 and 2014, where students
explored the aftermath of post-Olympics urban development.
Josu is also the founding director of the Development Collective,
a participatory community planning and development studio
based in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he is currently undergoing
field research in community generated design and public interest
architecture. He has also been contributing as a building and
community planner with Thinking Development, a development
organization based in London, on the Centre Rosalie Javouhey,
a primary school and community center at the heart of Port-auPrince.
Andrew M. Hayes, AIA, LEED BD+C
Adjunct Professor + Managing Principal, hayes|cumming architects, pa

Hayes has over 22 years experience in all aspects of planning and
design. He founded hayes|cumming architects in the fall of 2006
with a focus on public architecture, science/technology and worship spaces.
Andy has worked for local governments across Florida. Projects
have included affordable housing, homeless shelters, recreation
centers, fire stations and schools; as well as multiple churches. In
the process he experienced planning and development methods
that are disengaged from the end user and delivered within the
confines of municipal bureaucracy.
Attempting to find comprehensive, organic solutions borne out of
community consensus, Andy has been involved in putting together
groups of stakeholders that cross typical boundaries of government,
private sector and faith based organizations. He has also been engaged in advocacy efforts and policy development in an attempt
to create holistic and long lasting solutions based on bottom-up
perspectives that evolve out of community engagement and participatory methods.
3.0 Instructors
21
Participatory Analysis,Intro
4.0
As means to allow the students understand the

urban grain of the city, they have to closely
engage the main user groups and study their role
within city as a whole.
The students had the opportunity to experience the
many faces of St. Petersburg. As part of the studio,
a series of workshops were organized to allow the
students to engage and discuss a number of topics
affecting the city. The workshops were organize in
three groups; residents, business owners, and civic
leaders. The open table workshops were followed
by in class discussion and analytical mappings that
illustrated, both the conceptual and the physical
concepts of the city.
Students have documented their participation
in workshops with community members. The
students narratives and mappings will serve as
the foundation of the subsequent planning and
design stages.
The city of St. Petersburg is home to a rich

transcultural scene and a destination for many
in search of tropical haven. The city is the
proud home of several local treasures like the
Dali Museum, Rays Stadium and the longest
waterfront of the state. This translate into an area
that hosts a great number of events, ranging from
the Saturday Morning Market, First Friday Night,
and other seasonal events such as the Grand Prix.
23
Participatory Analysis
TEAM ONE
WORKSHOPS WITH RESIDENTS.

By Lilian Merhi

Professors Josue Robles Caraballo and

Andy Hayes facilitated a set of workshops for their
Design C University of South Florida School of Architecture and Community Design studio. The workshops were weekly interviews focusing in on three
components of the city of St. Petersburg: residents,
business leaders, and civic leaders. The honorable
guests carried a wide range of their personal experiences with the city to the meeting. They provided knowledge to the discussion of which consisted of their views of the strengths, weaknesses
and opportunities of the city. The guests personal
input was an eye opening experience for the students; one which later created a solid foundation
for their research and urban analysis of the city.

The focus of the first weeks discussion was
social capital. The guests spoke about the nodes
that carried a lot of social capital in Downtown
and the areas of Midtown of which were slowly being rooted up. Elihu Braboy, a resident, small business owner and Design Chair of the Deuces Live
shared about his small ice cream shop in Midtown.
The small shop created a sense of community and
comfort. It was one of few places that created social capital for Midtown. Evidently, there is a harsh
lack of business locality in the areas of midtown;

yet there is an abundance of empty spaces for
business. The residents also mention that after the
Pier was closed, those living in Midtown felt that
they no longer had a reason to dwell in Downtown
since the pier was one of the few places they used
to enjoy that didnt necessarily cost money. Transportation and social and economic status were
large setbacks for their level of engagement. Yet,
through the fog of these disconnections, there
was a small clearing. Bernie Wilhelm, graduate
Architect and designer at MESH, spoke about the
arts as the thriving community in which is spurring
renewal of the existing art culture and passion of
St. Petersburg. Central Avenue was revealed considerably the start of the new livelihood of the city
as a whole, fostering energy to other areas of the
region as it continues to grow.

Ross Preville, a resident of Old Northeast
and St. Pete Chamber Chairman had a unique
and personal experience of the Downtown Waterfront because it was his home. Preville discussed
the vitality of the waterfront that St. Petersburg has
to offer. Rich green spaces stretch across the waterfront edge and protect it. These green spaces
hold many events and provide enterprise to the
city. However, these city engagements, as discussed, turned away many of the residents. Even
though the wide range of events bring in a multitude of people, unusually enough they do not attract many of the people who actually live there.
Noise levels, street traffic conditions, and parking
issues all play into the downsides of these events
that somehow only attract outsiders of the city.

This workshop set the stage for the rest
4.1
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014
4.1.1 Studio critique with Mark Aeling of MGA

Sculptor Studio, Ryan Swanson from the Urban
Conga, and Alec Smith from Hayes and Cummings
Architecture.
25
WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL BUSINESS

By Bonnie Newman

We began by asking our discussion panel
the question, What are some of the communal
assets you believe every good city should be anchored upon? From there, a deep discussion into
the importance of the arts emerged, specifically
directed towards what is missing in our own city of
St. Petersburg. The arts (history museums, art museums, public art, street art, etc.) could be used
as a marketing tool to draw people into the city
to become a part of their own neighborhood.
The example was given of the 2nd Saturday Art
Walk, and the potential of this event to draw large
crowds out to explore the city. We then discussed
the perception of the city of St. Petersburg not
having a clear, cohesive vision for all of the neighborhoods in St. Pete, and maybe public art could
be that connection we are looking for. It was then
asked by Gloria Campbell if we even wanted the
city to create a common vision, or if each neighborhood should create its own vision.

Should we have a common vision, or is
there a stronger sense of community when each
neighborhood distinguishes themselves from each
other? This question drove us into different topics
such as transportation issues, waterfront activities
that are needed, and marketing strategies for

how to engage the people of midtown with the
waterfront. The strong potential for the Pinellas
Trail to be the connector between all of St. Pete
and the waterfront was explored, along with the
Greenlight Pinellas program that will be voted for
in November of this year, which would increase
bus service by 65% in the city of St. Pete, allowing
all parts of the city to be more accessible to everyone living in St. Pete. But the question still arose,
if people from midtown could get direct access
to the waterfront, what is there to offer for them?
Mike Dove then talked about some of things the
Pier used to offer that were free to residents, such
as the Howdy Doody show being filmed on the
pier for people to watch, and fishing access. Other members on our panel spoke about other things
that are currently free such as movies in the park,
free museum days, etc., but Mike brought up the
point that the awareness of these free activities
do not exist in Midtown. How can marketing strategies (billboards, ads in the paper, social media)
expand awareness in midtown for free activities
along the waterfront?

In conclusion, there was no determined
actions of city planning that needed to be implemented in order to solve x and y problems in St.
Petersburg, but many ideas were given to us as a
class. The potential city growth and sense of connection could be strongly realized through the
growing culture of art in St. Pete. Stronger connections from midtown to the waterfront need to be
made, via transportation, destinations, and more
accessible activities for people of all social class.
The city must develop a better marketing strategy
that targets the people of midtown to bring them
out to the waterfront of St. Pete.
CIVIC LEADERS.
By Lilian Merhi

The final week of workshops included very
important and influential speakers. The discussion
continued to form around the question: What
is social capital to the city of St. Petersburg? The
spark of this integral discussion arose from Deputy Mayor, Kanika Tomalin when she spoke of the
ideal St. Petersburg waterfront. Her vision for this
opportunistic city is for all the homes of the entirety
of St. Pete to act as the individual bedrooms
of a house to the Downtown Waterfronts living
room. In her words, comfort is the willingness to
engage. This comfort would be the outcome of
various ideas that include links to the citys history.
How do we make cultural memories and make
them manifest? The Manhattan Casino was deliberately discussed as the catalyst for this historical connectivity. We discussed how different local
groups viewed the casino as the first step towards
gentrification. Civic leader Karl Nurse, said that
public transit for Midtown is a need. From this need
many things would emerge such as anchors to the
waterfront that the people of Midtown can engage in.

Susan Elftman pro bono of the Deuces
Live, spoke about design as relevancy. Design
encourages organic situations that facilitate evolution, she stated. She also mentioned that the
best design solution for the city is one that emerges from the students processes not one that is superimposed.

The Central Avenue art corridor was mentioned as a mixed use high density art district that
will encourage the citys urban fibers to intertwine.
This link along with a connection to the history of
the city (the Manhattan Casino) were both said

to provide sustenance for the people in midtown.
Nurse also stated that the waterfront will be a true
success once it caters to the needs of all of the
people of St. Petersburg, so that consequently it
may be so comfortable as to be called the citys
urban living room.
of the coming weeks. The students extrapolated

what was discussed and began to consider closely the existing urban conditions and the intimate
tie that residents share in with the city. The students
also began to take a different approach to their
urban analysis after this workshop, because of the
need for relevancy that St. Petersburg was striving
for.
27
Participatory Analysis
TEAM TWO
architecture is an element that offers a place for a

community to become involved in something greater than
themselves. Susan Elfman
4.2.1 TOP Participatory Workshop with community residents.

4.2.2 BELOW Participatory Workshop with community leaders.

Beginning a semester of school focusing
on the redevelopment of a prominent local city,
the value of the views and input from local residents and business owners who serve and support
their city every day could not be overstated. Immediately the group of individuals, who all aspire
towards positive development of St. Petersburg,
began to resonate a culture and civic pride that
can affect changes in the city. Unfortunately the
major issue that began to present itself was that
the waterfront has developed into an asset, while
other areas of St. Pete have suffered and serves as
an invisible barrier not everyone can get through;
the need for a greater interconnectivity within the
city becomes apparent. Likewise, subtle details
that seemingly have been missed by the greater
city officials present themselves, as well as a true
need of the people within the dense center of the
county to have access to information on events
and local vendors that can in turn promote inclusion of these communities to the downtown sector.

Input from Jeff Danner, a former city councilman for St Petes district 8 and current president
of the Grand Central Business district became
increasingly critical as the he imparted ways to
learn and act upon changes to the citys zoning
and land codes that could help to further push the
scope of activity into those parts of the city that it
could most benefit. Donna Welch also expressed
the critical values of the citys simple amenities
that pulled the masses of out of their homes to
activate each other, thus extending the sphere of
comfort and family attachment to St Petersburg
as a whole. Understanding how these community

values serve to bring relevance to environments
together lends itself to improving a Master Plan for
the area. Having the opportunity to have city officials and representatives share these first hand understandings of spaces and values is an irreplaceable value to an urban design project.
WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL BUSINESS

Matthew Barrentine

Upon meeting the individuals involved in
the revitalization of Midtown, the notion of a citywide persona became a topic of possibility in order
to truly help change the way the city is inhabited
and perceived. It became easy to imagine how
the city of St. Petersburg could begin to mould in
such a way that the separate neighborhoods
can begin to organize a sense of a sense of individuality while still being connected on a macro
scale to one another through community. These
men, who came from backgrounds in law, planning, residential development, sculpture and design, all advocated a common thread of art and
how it could lead to consistency as a statement
for the city to allow interaction on every scale.

Mark Arling spoke often of a relationship
of cheaper development to the influx of new areas of rebirth and even the possibility of developing USF St. Pete or St. Petersburg College into a formatted art school which allows for the simplicity of
consistency throughout the city and for the image
to enhance our perception of art into something
worthy of experiencing. This meeting posited the
biggest issue that needs to be addressed is the
dichotomy between social class in specific areas,
WORKSHOPS WITH RESIDENTS.

By Matthew Barrentine
4.0
4.2
however with a common theme between all nine

entities was an effort to push this way of thinking
and conforming into an antiquated thing of the
past. There was a strong realization that the aim of
what is hoped to accomplished, must be pursued
by all the people. For it is a grander association
of community that is imperative to any hope for
development in the foreseeable future.
WORKSHOPS WITH CIVIC LEADERS.

By Matthew Barrentine

4.2.3 Circulation Diagram of the city
A final conversation, facilitated between

two different sections of Design C, District 6 Councilman Karl Nurse, SPC Adjunct Professor Susan Elftman, and Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, brought
about the issue of Midtown and the identity that it
maintains both in the past as well as right now. The
issues that these residents are required to deal with
mostly are the level of poverty and lack of development while benefiting from a strong community
and a sincere connection with authenticity.

With such a powerful wealth of historic
presence and family association, what has to happen now is the ability for our city government to
deliver the people of the area a sense of engagement. Some of the methods by which Dr. Tomalin
addressed they are starting to aid the areas strife
with is for public transit to develop a larger connection of Midtown to the rest of St. Petersburg,
redesigning 22nd street in order to facilitate slower
traffic patterns and bicycle use, as well as a new
SPC campus which should help bring more youth
into the area. It was said that the neighborhoods
come back when the people become optimistic,
and in order to expedite this process it should be
considered how other portions of St. Petersburgs
waterfront could begin to share or direct the energy that is needed to breed life back into those
communities. The character and history of the
22nd Street corridor is rich with history and latent
social capital to bring the midtown back to a
thriving center for commerce and city life. What
is missing from the equation though is the financial
capital invested into the corridor to bring the kind
of businesses and commercial spaces that the residence need, as well as work/living spaces to the
area, which will enliven the streets with the daily
activities of life. What continues to be a thing of
beauty is the connection that these families continue to share with their local church and community; somehow these threads should be used to
benefit the remainder of St. Petersburgs developing urban fabric.
29
31
5.0.1 Visit to Catano City Hall with Mario

Corsino From InterGroup.
5.0.2 Site visit to San Felipe del Morro

with fellow professor Vikas Metha. PhD.
5.0.3 Diagram of Cultural Centre of Activities

After having experience a series of
collaboratory workshops, and analytical exercises
exploring the diverse grain of the urban tissue of
the city of St Petersburg, the students had the
opportunity to explore and study the city of San
Juan, Puerto Rico. In contrast to St. Petersburg,
San Juan has suffered the joy of the constant
reshaping of its waterfront and role as a city since
it was founded in 1521.

Students had the opportunity to learn from
the cities successful urban design implementations,
while identifying spaces in transition, or in need
of betterment. The students experienced the
dichotomy of the pristine capital and neighbor
city in state of development. Students conducted
several site visits around the capital stimulating the
engagement of several means of transportation,
vehicular, marine, and as a pedestrian.

Apart from the multiplicity of information
provided from experiencing the city by different
means, the students had the opportunity to engage
with a number of local practitioners and entities.
Students were welcomed by the several members
of the faculty of the School of architecture of the
Universidad De Puerto Rico, including the dean
liuljljhljd and kiheuhle. Subsequently the students
discussed current challenges with the waterfront of
the City of Catano with its major and Urban Planner
Corsino. The close contact with local professionals
allow the student to clarify question and concerns
beyond observation and information previously
gathered,

In general, the trip allowed the students to
situate St. Petersburg in comparison to a waterfront
and city that has experience constant change
while always been the pride of the island of Puerto
Rico.
5.0
Participatory Field Analysis
5.0.4 LA PERLA
5.0.5 SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO FORT
5.0.6 LA CONCHA HOTEL
33
35

TRIP REFLECTION TEAM ONE
5.1.1 PLAZA DEL MERCADO SANTURCE
Plaza de la Catedral or El Morro National Park, are

esteemed higher than the other, and neither park
claims to acquire the beauties or provisions of the
other. Rather, these parks along with the multitude
of others within Old San Juan, live in harmony, and
in turn, they reinforce the flow and beat of the city.
5.1.2 Relationship of public spaces, urban

rooms along the waterfront
By Fancy Diaz

The 2014 Design C studio class has had
the opportunity to go on a four day trip to Old
San Juan, Puerto Rico. Students stayed within the
boundaries of Old San Juan and were able to experience the every day breath and flow of the city
and its inhabitants along the waterfront. Over the
course of three day trips throughout the veins of
the city, students were able to delve into critical
documentation and analysis of the city at an urban scale.

Public space was one of the main subjects
the students were asked to look at. Throughout Old
San Juan there is a wide variety in scale of outdoor
public spaces, from the El Morro National Park to
small hidden pockets within residential streets. The
diversity of character within these pubic spaces
is what builds the appreciation of each individual one, for both residents and tourists. In El Morro
National Park groups of people wander the open
grass while they talk and take pictures of the beautiful open views of the Atlantic. Little kids run with
kites flying above them, while parents laugh and
chase them. Dogs roll in the grass and embrace
the cool ocean breeze. Just a few blocks inward
of El Morro rests Plaza de la Catedral, Directly facing Catedral de San Juan Bautista this park hides
under the shade of a large oak and provides seating between bushes of grass and flowers. Couples
hide away in the crevices of the park and enjoy
solitude in the midst of this public space. Students
study for exams, workers rest between shifts at the
office, tourists pass through swiftly and make their
way towards the cathedral. The brick streets, stone
paths, and the brief glitter of sunlight through the
trees canopy above makes this park a hide out
within the city: a place of reprieve. Neither park,
5.1
37

PUERTO RICO to ST PETERSBURG TEAM TWO
By Jeffery Stewart

5.0 PLAZA DEL MERCADO SANTURCE
Upon first arrival in old San Juan, Puerto

Rico one would find it difficult to comprehend the
profound history and culture that makes up a such
a unique place. Throughout our exploring of the
city we continued to stumble across spaces that
seemed to be packed with life and cultural activities. It was in these unique spaces that we found
the real connection between the people and the
making of place within the built environment. On
one particular evening we happened upon a
music festival in a dilapidated corner of a main
street, overlooking the impoverished shanties of La
Perla. Observing the people and watching their
social interactions between one another, one began to feel part of this inclusive community, and
share in the local experience. We began to understand the richness that these spaces held within
the community for providing the environments
for these activities. The sense of memory and cultural significance that happened in these spaces
built this relationship of community and common
ground for everyone that was involved.

It was after these observations when we
begin to reflect and start to relate these experiences to St. Petersburg. What does St. Petersburg
have that carries this sense of community and
creates a sense of personal memory for its inhabitants? The space that we continued to gravitate
towards was the Banyan Trees which are located
in North Straub Park. We came to this conclusion
after watching dozens of people young and old
stop and experience the space. After engaging
in casual conversation with numerous pedestrians
we began to come to the conclusion that these
trees have ingrained memories and a sense of
5.2
place that is unique to St. Petersburg. Whether

it was the occasional jogger or a child climbing
the trees , the space capture this sense of cultural
significance that paralleled the spaces that we
encountered in Puerto Rico. Discovering ways to
incorporate relevant meaning to spaces, and understanding the cultural needs that these spaces
serve contribute to addressing the needs of serving the larger public in a community Master Plan,
by developing nodes of cultural interest and creating lively streets.
5.2.1 Plaza del Convento, time lapsed picture.
5.2.3 TOP LEFT. View of San Juan from Catano City. 5.2.4
BELOW LEFT. View of Catano from City Hall, with Mario
Corsino from InterGroup 5.2.5 TOP RIGHT. UPR campus
visit with Andres Mennucci. 5.2.6 BELOW RIGHT. Class trip
picture at Catano Beach.
5.2.2 TOP Hierarchy of public spaces along

water edge and buildings of interest.
41
For the initial part of the urban studio the students

have been closely observing the grain of the
city of St. Petersburg thru a series of organized
participatory workshops. As means to consolidate
all ideas an concepts gathered in the participatory
analysis, students will have the opportunity to design
and build an urban installation. The installation will
allow them to go pass the initial analytical stages.
The installation will allow the students to engage
the public in an uncontrolled environment. The
public setting will provide an unpredictable range
of factors to observe, engage and document.
Students will select the location that will maximize
the effect of their research and public engagement.
After designing, building, and negotiating with
city official, they had the opportunity to have
their installation open to the public for 10 days.
The following chapter will narrate the process and
observation from both teams.
6.1.0 IN STUDIO CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Installation Conceptual Development 6.0
43
Installation Experience
TEAM ONE By Lilian Merhi

Professors Josue Robles and Andy Hayes

unveiled an academic public installation project
in architecture for their Urban Design C Studio.
This entailed an integration of St. Petersburgs
conditions as a city; a juxtaposition of a thriving
growth, and a disengagement with the whole. The
installation was to provide an experience for the
residents of the city and offer to them a common
thread; a public engagement. This art/installation
was to be designed and fabricated at full scale;
a project scale in which the students had never
tackled before. After long hours, much thought,
much debate, and rigorous analysis, the students
went on to design a place of gathering. A place in
which any divergence trapped within the walls of
the city could be knocked down. A place where
anybody, from any part in the city could come
outside, and be a part of this public coalescent
event.

St. Petersburg needs a common thread.
Along the east waters edge of the city lies
a rapid growing urban downtown full of rich
culture and history. However, this growth is but
a moment in the midst of a much larger urban
fabric. While this emerging downtown clings to
the waterfront and stands alone, the surrounding,
6.1.1 CONCEPT BOARD TEAM ONE
inland neighborhoods struggle to play their part.

Downtown St. Petersburg: The Living Room: While
maintaining the character and individuality of
each surrounding neighborhood, downtown St.
Petersburg needs to provide a sense of comfort
in which each of these neighborhoods can come
together and feel as if they are a part of something
greater. The charge was as follows: How can an
urban living room, that caters to the needs of the
various cultures, age groups, economic status,
and interests of the citys inhabitants be created?
We are all united by the same sun. Currently there
is no place in downtown St. Petersburg to leisurely
lay for a sublime feeling. The urban installation
provides an opportunity that allows for public
gateway. Various levels of seating conditions
and moments of rest and play are manifested
by the stark contrast that lies in midtown and
downtown. A skin system that provides shade, and
encompasses the installation together as a whole
as well as undulations in the design are markings of
the citys social capital.

After three consecutive weeks of studio
meetings with city residents, city business leaders,
and city civic leaders, the group collected
data from these voices. A contextual design
was cultivated from these discussions and was
superimposed onto a mapping of St. Petersburg.
The group highlighted the moments in the city
that they felt had the greatest social capital.
These moments were derived from both the
areas of Downtown and Midtown St. Petersburg.
Ultimately, Downtown showed a vast density of
social capital, while Midtown was only sparsely
marked by it. These varying levels of social capital
were translated into the design of the installation.
Two parts were designed: One dedicated to
6.1.2 Process Model

CONCEPT BOARD
6.1.3 Left Fabrication 6.1.4 Top Glue

laminated frame. 6.1.5 Bottom CNC
Machine
6.1.6 FABRICATION OF INSTALLATION
the juxtaposition of thriving growth and disengaged neglect Donna Welch

6.1.7 TOP SUNDAY COMFORT 6.1.8 NIGHTTIME GLOW
Kids begged and pulled their parents to go and elderly

people stopped and read the banner and then drew themselves into the project itself
6.1.9 AD HOC HANGOUT
51
Downtown, and one dedicated to Midtown. These

two parts of the installation were to be connected
together by a common thread. Undulations
of seating conditions were obtained from the
mapping based on the levels of social capital. The
mapping was directly translated in the shape and
playfulness of the installation.

Many hours of technical drawing and
fabrication took place. The students used a
CNC router to construct the installation into
large segments. These segments were to later be
bolted together for ease of onsite assembly and
disassembly. Two by four slats were nailed across
the segments with a few carrying inscriptions of
varying street names from St. Petersburg. These
inscriptions were also direct translations from
the initial social capital mapping. Dacron Sail
material was personalized and perforated with
grommets to perfectly be bolted onto parts of the
installation. The project was initially assembled in
the universitys studio, then later taken apart in
segments to South Straub Park and reassembled
onsite. The installation was fully developed and
brought to reality in the true form of time and
space. For the students, it was a moment in which
a simple design that normally only took form in
the boundaries of a micro scale, was manifested
and brought to life. It was brought to a form that
the people of the city were to actually fully begin
engagement in, just as the students had hoped.
The coalescence had come to life, and the
moment in which a small offering in this interlocking
web of urban fabric was made a reality.

The students involvement continued on
throughout the display of the installation which
initially lasted three days and was later given
a week extension. Even on the first day people
immediately began to engage themselves with

the installation. A variety of age groups interacted
with the installation. Group of people lounged
on the installation for an extended period of
time. A couple took a nap in the late afternoon
that lasted an hour. People leisurely enjoyed the
comfort the installation provided throughout the
entirety of day. There was a constant movement
of people throughout the installation, especially
after St. Petersburgs Saturday Morning Market.
Kids begged and pulled their parents to go and
elderly people stopped and read the banner
and then drew themselves into the project itself.
Sun bathing, napping, reading, climbing, playing,
walking, sitting, eating, all were components that
shaped the installation constantly throughout
its display. People recognized the intent of the
installation when they came up and read the street
inscriptions on the wooden slats and discovered
by themselves that one part was talking about
downtown and another was talking about the
rest of St. Petersburg. People were attracted to
the midtown portion more so than the downtown
piece. The playfulness of it drew people in and
especially kids. They climbed all over the midtown
segment. Bike tires were marked on the installation
leaving a sense of liveliness that the project
provided for people. People approached the
students on the day of disassembly and expressed
their connection and enjoyment of the installation,
and were saddened that it was being taken
down. Joel Weiser, a resident who lived in the
condos in Downtown St. Petersburg spoke with the
students about his experience with the project.
He discussed how he wanted that space to be a
place for public art that changed every couple of
months or so, to keep the park activated. He was
passionate enough to even provide the students

with his information so that he may later be able
to aid them in keeping the installation up for a
longer period of time. The process that lead to this
human engagement was far beyond a successful
school project, but rather it was a way in which an
expression of the city was manifested.

Often, the craft of architectural models
and graphics determine the success of an individual
project; rendering the experiential qualities limited
to the level of craft in scaled decisions. Therefore,
the nuances of experience and memory can only
be expressed and understood at the scale of
the body: fully developed and brought to reality
in the true form of time and space. Architecture
as it captures someones greater imagination to
existentially explore the possibilities of space-time
is the moment that transcends the physical edge
to become a catalyst for critical introspection.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed citizens can change the world; indeed
it is the only thing that ever has (Margaret Mead).
Historically, architecture is an element that offers
a place for a community to become involved in
something greater than themselves. It was here
that philosophers committed themselves to inform
the world of their findings, bringing change to world
as we know it. In recent years the world has seen
great change catalyzed by these communities of
shared knowledge and experience, regardless of
the medium. Often the change occurs within the
physical edge and is solidified via the built world.
Thus, change cannot truly occur until human
experience is physicalized and documented at
full scale; dedicating a node in the world to the
community that bridged rational passion into
practical action.
6.1.10 DOG FRIENDLY
53
Installation Experience
TEAM TOROS VERDES
By Linaea Floden
6.2.1 Installation concept board

A full scale installation project was a
beguiling opportunity for this group of Advanced
Design Students. Three years at the university and
2 years of intro classes have given ample time to
witness what adventures previous class years have
had in Design C, and this project offered more of
a critical challenge than the usual hypothetical.
Not knowing what the project would require, the
opportunity presented a breadth of difficulties that
offered opportunity for growth and development
beyond the usual studio setting.

The site selection posed the first learning
opportunity. In previous studio experiences the site
was given. Students are allowed to respond to a
pre-determined space that may be either charged
or banal, based on the intended lesson outcomes.
For this design team, the opportunity to choose the
site turned the whole design process inside out. The
design challenge for the project was to develop
an installation that utilized the downtown exposure
to present the issue of the dichotomy between
the St Petersburg downtown and midtown urban
environments. A struggle existed initially to find
intent and direction in the design until it be could
identified through phenomena from the selected

site. But given such a broad space to select from,
the possibilities were overwhelming. A back and
forth needed to happen between honing in
the design intent and matching that to existing
characteristics on the site. The final site selection
of the Banyan trees offered responses to historical,
cultural as well as identity issues for downtown St
Petersburg. This gave the critical rules needed to
conform the design, for it to be both relevant and
appropriate for the project and the space as well
as provide the critical venue for expressing the
installation metaphor. What was initially postulated
to be a 10x10x10 installation, developed into a
12x25x15 interactive exhibit.

The team had initially determined
that the project would in some way showcase
the merging of two different entities into a
cohesive whole. The banyan trees played to
this concept in the mixing of their canopies and
their growth pattern; spreading roots extending
down to the earth and creating other nodes.
After selecting this as the site, it became the
driver of the design. Rules for proportioning,
physical characteristics, views, and materiality
all were extracted from the phenomena found
in the banyan trees. As easily as these guidelines
unfolded themselves, pushback came from the
complication of these ideas meeting a full scale,
occupiable construction. Immediately the design
development dialog moved from will it say
what we want it to say to will it be safe? and
suppositions were put through a three partitioned
reality filter of Is it safe?, How does it feel to the
occupant? and Will it even work? As much as
it may have been previously hoped that these
things were considered in previous design studio
experiences, the severity of the issues became far
more apparent when one had to internalize that
6.2.2 Top Idea Scketch 6.2.3 Bottom Concept Scale Model
it simply is not enough to assume the intervention

wont cause harm, or assume that it will look
good; there must be absolute certainty. Some
of the earlier concepts began to fold under the
pressure of this speculation. Certain materials that
behaved ideal for the expression of the concept
didnt serve the purpose of physical interaction
or posed a safety issue. Those that passed
through these obstacles were met with budget
conflict. This filtering process had the unintended
consequence of purifying the project concept.
Budgeting restricted superfluous elements that
served only to support the concept but were not
key players in the original expression. The need for
meeting the haptic demands of the project drove
the necessity for expanding the tool palette. The
usual materials used in modeling practices did not
meet the ephemeral requirements for the physical
experience the project required so the team was
pushed to experiment beyond the customary and
understood into the unknown for materials and
performance abilities.

The design process was less than
smooth. The concept was difficult to express
physically with an absence or lack of appropriate
material expression, so early concepts were not
well communicated or understood. The lack
of understanding of material performances
produced a sharp learning curve in material
explorations and connections. This was met with
much apprehension as the impending deadline
left little room for experimentation and guesswork.
However,
rigorous
concept
development
enabled the group to continue assuredly with the
process, despite the security of experience and
external validation. Trusting the process became
the process itself.

To assist in filling in the gaps of experience,
the team consulted with numerous professionals
to conduct walk-thrus of the project site and
construction components. Two Certified Arborists
were consulted to validate the proposed tree
connections for the installations structure and
verify tree safety. A Certified Sling Specialist was
consulted to assist in developing connection
techniques and details to ensure visitor safety and
project feasibility. Lighting technicians assisted in
developing the appropriate lighting requirements
to meet the design standards. A mechanical
engineer assisted the team in understanding safety
concerns and identifying design opportunities. Early
in the design phase Rubber Technicians, Welders,
and textiles specialists were all utilized to glean
information towards refining and developing the
design. A fabrication specialist assisted in the final
stretch to enable the team to bring the installation
into fruition, assisting with tools and strategies that
were beyond the teams current skill set.

One of the biggest complications the
project faced was gaining approval from the
City and from the Museum of Fine Arts for utilizing
the historical banyan trees for supporting the
installation. Conversations with the City pushed
the team to formalize their design and concepts
into clear and concise visual communication
tools to ensure the concept was articulated in the
appropriate manner for the receiving, diversified
party. A meeting with the Director of the Museum
of Fine Arts was one of the most challenging
experiences. The meeting, which was the final
hurdle in gaining approval for installation of the
project, proved to be both exciting and frustrating.
The presentation of the concept was very similar
to a design studio critique, where the idea was
55
57
once paralyzed the team only hours before

absolutely dissipated as visitors were observed
delighting in the final successful installation.
The first group was women in their late 60s who
proceeded to waltz through the space, arms
wide open, allowing the tendrils of chiffon to pass
over their faces and shoulders. What a rewarding
experience to observe such a positive response, in
light of the hours of rigorous consideration of how
one would physically appreciate the design. After
so many options considered that all resulted in
what could have been weapons in their aggressive
heavier behavior, to see older citizens, then infants
and predominately children delighting in the
materiality was the final affirmative check mark on
the list of will it work? The project was policed
24/7 by the design team, in which, during the 2
full day installation, over 3000 people danced their
way through the project, with a steady group of 1215 visitors interacting every 5 minutes during peak
afternoon and evening hours. The project was well
received and spoke to visitors in two different ways
about the project concept. First, in its physically
designed form of density and void, visitors could
move through the tendrils and experience density
of the material followed by a voided space
within the installation that offered views to the
overhead Banyan tree canopy. Secondly, in
the more metaphorical, visual sense, the visitor
could observe the multiplicity of tendrils and
draw connections to the idea of the beauty the
Midtown area amidst being the tattered urban
fabric. Interviews with the users demonstrated a
clear understanding and positive support of the
concept. One visitor expressed great excitement
for the intent of design studio. He and his wife
work in one of the elementary schools located in
a different part of St Petersburg area and shared

with the team their reflections of the community.
Were both educators at an elementary school
which is in a very impoverished area as well. Just
south of Central Avenue its just not the same kind
of safe environment as the rest of the city. The
level of social and racial stratification in this town
still is astounding. It great to see people trying to
bring awareness to the problem My wife and I
moved from Minneapolis to St Pete. Originally we
didnt plan to stay, but we found out the city is
actually really amazing. Just like this (gestures at
the installation), you can stumble on something
as cool as this just out on your walk. Still another
visitor shared, I get it. The trick will be to see who
is experiencing it for fun versus who many people
understand what youre saying about Midtown. A
lot of people might not want to think about the
struggles of Midtown while theyre walking through
the park, so they might not want to engage with
it for that reason. But I get it. This area (downtown)
is going through a renaissance. Its like a second
renaissance really. But Midtown is still really
struggling. There is still isnt a lot of development
going on.

Overall the project was well received
by the St Petersburg community. Visitors not only
shared in the physical experience of the space,
but created memorial experiences as a part of
it. Wedding photos and engagement photos
were taken in the installation, as well as Fashion
model shoots, and a wealth of spontaneous
Instagram pics, which were found hashtagged
across the internet under #Ilovetheburg,#dtsp,
#banyanlights, and #dtstpete photo streams. A
media magazine, 89 Degrees Media, featured the
installation on the front cover of their e-newsletter
and website. In general the team couldnt be

more pleased with the projects outcomes. The
installation was beautiful, safe, and impactful, and
served to push the boundaries of the students
skillset, as well as pull the strings of the social fabric
in engaging the community.
explained both in conceptual and metaphorical

terms, as well as pragmatic fundamentals, but
with the added twist that the critic had a personal,
vested interest in all that the project represented,
much the same as an owner/client would; making
this meeting the student designers very first real
world project proposal. The team struggled to
grapple with the verbiage to express the entirety
of the concept and to maintain control of that
dialog, resulting in a rich learning experience
in speaking with clients and verbally clarifying
concepts and intentions.

Even after all the specialists consultations
and hurdles that were overcome, none were
quite as challenging as installation day when the
team had to put into place all processes they had
mentally procured into real world application. The
rigorous design process had proved effective in
meeting most of the design needs, but success
only prevailed through ensuring that the right
people were available at the critical moments in
the project. At one point, without the resources
needed to execute the project, taxed with sleep
deprivation and subsequent irrational thinking,
and struggling with the lack of experience with
the tools and materials being used, the team was
forced to step back from the project and stop
construction. The challenge to the team was to
dig deep into whatever resources, connections
or professionals they knew that could assist in the
current problem with experience, tools or advice.
After calling in a professional fabricator to offer
the team direction on what components they
could consider to bring the project to fruition, the
team was back up and running, only a few hours
behind deadline.

All weariness and exhaustion that had
6.2.4 Left View from Bay Shore Dr. 6.2.5 Right View from Beach Dr.
the critical values of the citys simple amenities that pulled the masses of out of their homes
to activate each other, thus extending the sphere of comfort and family attachment to St
Petersburg as a whole Donna Welch
6.2.7 Top Light-Wind play 6.2.8 Bottom Sunset from Beach Dr.
6.2.6 View from Beach Dr.
Waterfront Master Planning
7.0
In the final part of this studio urban intervention,

both groups will utilizw all ideas gathered from the
first part of the semester.
7.0.1 MASTER PLAN MODEL
63
65
Pursuing Enlightenment for our Community TEAM ONE
7.1.1 Circulation and Movement Zones

Areas of Interest - Initially investigating
several nodes throughout the surrounding
Downtown regions, our research of Midtown
helps eliminate many areas. While there
are many sectors that can be involved, we
removed areas such as Northshore, Old
Northeast, Old Southeast, regions north of 1st
Avenue North, and the portion west of 34th
St South, among many other important areas
within the city limits. Since these places do not
have a high level of social capital that may
be shared with Midtown, or their juxtaposition
is simply too far, they offer little in fulfilling our
first goal of local amenities. Equally, since
these regions have very different historical
and residing demographics, the Waterfront
and Midtown regions became the only two

areas. While opposite in nature, the Southern
Waterfront has an immediate need for
identity and transportation: becoming the first
connection from the Waterfront to Midtown.

Primary Focus - Progressing from node
selection, our research makes apparent that
transportation is a key element in aiding
in local identity and amenities. Cautious
to disrupt the existing built environment,
we are suggesting a Light Rail system with
dedicated bus lines, connecting Midtown
to the Waterfront and greater metropolitan
area, and a new Ferry System at the Southern
Waterfront. Therefore, the identity of the
Southern Waterfront becomes the Ferry
station, Light Rail station, and Fish Market. The
potential economic development relating to
both transportation and the marine industry
can intensify and extend the Waterfront
capital. The region of 22nd Street South
in Midtown is the most significant area for
Music education, entertainment, and related
industry. Midtown now has a connection to its
history and paves the way for a rich identity
with the arts and music.
Conceptual
Development
Grounded by our participatory information
gathering prior to this project, social capital
remains crucial to both the urban installation
and the conceptual master plan. Given the
opportunity to offer a combined solution and
visualization to the residents and business
owners, a great deal of respect and precision
in our efforts is demanded. In addition to the
required reverence, we take a bold stance
in how to connect areas of interest. Thus,
our goals are to 1) Provide locally desired
amenities and urban public centers. 2) Offer
modes of transportation that initially resolve
immobile communities and provide future
transit-oriented economic development.

7.1
Local mapping of Light Rail, Ferry, and developed regions. Beginning with Site A, we
are offering an outdoor Music Venue surrounded by record stores, spoken word cafes,
instrument repair and craft studios. To bring pedestrian qualities, the roads of 22nd Street
South will retrograde to their original brick paving, ample tree-scape and a personal
scale, bridging Midtown towards the thriving Grand Central District with a Linear Parkway
alongside 275, acting as an artery. Now creating the flow of residents towards Downtown
and potential patrons towards the culturally rich 22nd Music District.
7.1
Entangled by the new route of the Pinellas Trail, pedestrian and bicycle volume increases
use and identity. Arriving at Tropicana, locals and tourist meet for the first time. Acting
as a multimodal interchange, the northwest blocks of the Trop. region are dedicated to
the first new major transportation element: County Light Rail, as indicated by Greenlight
Pinellas, encourages a critical mass to emerge in this newly created transit development.
Shops and cafes abound, the culture of the Trop manifests the necessary meeting ground
for county residents to embrace the city, and begin to migrate to more specific sectors
of the City.
The Trop Interchange acts as a fluid gate to the surrounding city, connecting the county
to city, and city to its districts. Starting at the Trop Interchange, passengers then can
enjoy the commercial and enterprise zone bound by the Light Rail. The closest areas are
22nd, Grand Central, Roser Park, and the new Midtown Linear Park. Moving towards the
Waterfront along 1st Ave South, 4th Street brings passengers into the heart of downtown,
turning towards the final resting point at the Pier.
The Pier is the link between Site B and the rest of the Waterfront. Apart of the entire Tampa
Bay region, the Pier and SouthWater are both multimodal stations for Light Rail and new
Proposed Ferry System. Connecting to Downtown Tampa, Sarasota, and Apollo Beach,
these stations offer a new experience not only to St. Petersburg, but the entire region.
Being the Main stop for the Ferry, the Pier gains new prominence and iconic status, while
SouthWater helps facility high volume and passengers who reside or attend USF St. Pete,
among many other great benefits.
Directly connected to Midtown via Light Rail, SouthWater offers transit oriented
development at each of its stops, encouraging economic growth and integration of job
growth with cultural locations at each stop; emanating its energy outwardly into the local
neighborhoods. This type of development can offer safe growth and resolve many of the
locals demands for more marketplaces or grocery stores as well as micro-enterprise or
local business.
Looping back to 22nd, the Light Rail wraps around the areas of interest, but extending to
the rest of the city and will develop into a common element. Social capital will increase
in areas that currently are lacking, but more importantly, the areas that already have
identity and amenities for its local inhabitants and users will grow independently: not
uniformly. It will be ultimately up those involved in farther developing his or her community,
while all residents have the opportunity to interconnect the city of St. Petersburg into a
thriving body of communities.
7.1.2 Transportation and Areas of Interconnectivity
Waterfront Master Image
7.1
22nd DRIVE NODE
7.1.3 22nd SOUTH STREET. General Scheme

The rich music history of 22nd St. South was
a great opportunity for development and growth.
Looking at a larger scale of the street in its industrial
warehouse patterns, we implemented a design
that would coherently affect the larger context.
The proposed lightrail system that passes through
1st Ave S and what is now the Pinellas Trail provides
connectivity for the area to the Downtown St.
Petersburg waterfront and various places in the
city such as the Tropicana Field, and the upper St.
Petersburg area. The design of the specific node
of 22nd St. S reverberates energy throughout
the shown area through music warehouses, and
public courtyard and green spaces that draw
people in and allow people to move through the
city on a pedestrian level.
7.1.4 Model 22nd Drive South Node
7.1.5 LAND USE DIAGRAM
7.1.6 WEEKEND ACTIVITIES DIGRAM
7.1.7 CIRCULAR NETWORKS DIAGRAM
7.1.8 22nd SOUTH STREET. Music Node

The design changes that
were implemented in this site included
relocating the existing Pinellas Trail
parallel to the interstate through a
greened walkway and bike trail that
allows for dense pedestrian movement
throughout the area. This greened
walkway is reflected on the interstate
through green sound walls that keep
vehicular noise away and at the same
time provide an indirect experience
of 22nd St. S for people driving on
the interstate. A large music pavilion
space honoring the history of 22nd
Street South is designed leading to a
courtyard space that is surrounded
with retail and music studios as well
as cafes. These design decisions were
reflections based on the analysis of
The Historic Manhattan Casino for the
revival of the area. Adding brick roads
to 22nd St. was another design decision
that was implemented to slow down
vehicular traffic and engage the public
though a pedestrian discovery of the
city.
7.1.9 Section 22nd Drive South Node
7.1.10 Section 22nd Drive South Node and Interstate 275.
Facing north, this section includes 23rd Street South as part of the street scape improvement, creating
a continuous pedestrian experience and family atmosphere. Music stores, recording studios and cafes
culminate at the Manhattan Casino: one of the original music centers in Florida.
Facing west, this section shows the southern and northern portion of the proposed Midtown Linear Parkway.
This system softens the harshness of the interstate while linking the southern portion of Midtown, and making
the path from the south to Grand Central more approachable and accessible. Just north of the Parkway,
lies proposed outdoor seating, ample green space and an outdoor theater for events.
7.1.11 View 22nd South Drive South towards I275.
7.1.12 Right View 22nd South Drive South
Within the courtyard, the caf and local hangout becomes a way of life for
residents and enthusiasts.
22nd Street has the potential for a bustling culture of music adjacent to the
Manhattan (left) with the new Up-lighting and acoustic park under I-275 offering
a visceral experience and reason to travel along 22nd. A reception hall for the
outdoor music venue, with steps defining the corner, aiding in the identity of the
music district.
7.1
7.1.13 4th AVENUE SOUTH NODE. General

Scheme

This area was unique in its characteristics
because of its intimate waterfront. The node was
barren in its original conditions, yet its boating
community pushed us to redevelop the area into
a fish market, ferry hub and boardwalk experience
that would allow this area to become a landmark
for locals and tourists. Through changing the face
of 3rd Street S into a more open and welcoming
place that leads people to the fish market and
the boardwalk, and through adding a lightrail
station, the area becomes multimodal and
thriving in energy. The redesign of the node allows
for connections to the St. Petersburg waterfront to
go beyond the boundaries of the city, reaching
towards areas such as Tampa and Sarasota and
bringing a larger group of people into the space.
142nd AVENUE NODE
7.1.4 LAND USE DIAGRAM
81
7.1.15 WEEKEND ACTIVITIES DIAGRAM
7.1.17 14th AVENUE SOUTH NODE. General

Scheme
7.1.16 CIRCULATION DIAGRAM

The redevelopment of this node was
to help improve pedestrian movement and
entertainment along the waterfront. The space
called for a fish market and a thriving boardwalk
that engaged people with the waterfront. We
input green spaces, and murals on the existing
water towers to provide ways for the public
to feel welcomed into the space and not cut
off. Transportation was important in this space
because we wanted to provide for a larger group
of people. We added a ferry system and included
a ferry station on the site as well as a light rail
station. This multimodal place will invite locals and
tourists to come and enjoy this new landmark for
the citys waterfront.
7.1.18 Section of 4th Street.
A new Ferry system id exciting for residents both local and regional as it offers a new realm of sustainable infrastructure
and greater access to the water. Finding a balance of new program, this site has a proposed Fish Market with indoor
and outdoor facilities, revitalized public green space between the two water towers to be incorporated in a public arts
project with new murals. Also, 1st Street and 13th Avenue will loop to the north as a street market. Finally, the boardwalk
offers a new texture to all of St. Pete with an environmentally conscience structure that gives life to the community and
marine habitat.
7.1.19 Below Section of Water Ferry Station
Providing as many micro and macro amenities within a small site without disrupting the ecology, bait
and tackle, restaurants and the boardwalk offer small places for the Ferry and Light Rail passengers
to enjoy. The main focus would be the green space and boardwalk experience, and future
developments could allow for this area to rival other great marketplaces.
87
Sometimes the best view of a place is looking at its character from across the water. The Ferry system would give that to
all passengers, making the waterfront the joys of the marine life more accessible. Being the most direct connection to
Midtown, this can be the experience residents and visitors call their own.
7.1.21 Right View of water ferry station from ferry.
Upon arriving at the southern ferry pier, passengers will be able to see St. Pete from a view that few
from Midtown previously know: home from over the water; giving ownership of the waterfront to all
residents of St. Pete.
7.1.20View of water ferry station from water.
7.1.22 Water ferry station.
The boardwalk acts as a public place to see nature and to see others. With the constant flux of those entering and
exiting the city, the liveliness of the boardwalk would not reduce until the last stop; providing energy to the city from
dawn to dusk.
7.1.23 Right Water ferry station.
As part of local signifiers, the proposed fish market extends possibilities of what can happen at
multimodal stations. There will be a demand for things to do and see, and all around the world, fish
markets are renowned for their high capacity, central location to transit and vital for the working
class and making a bold statement for the region.
91
7.1.24 View of Light Rail Station
7.1.25 View of Light Rail towards Ferry
Marrying the two forms of mass transit into one distilled site with public space surrounding the stations
gives the most back to the community. Allowing room for growth via transit oriented development
and urban public centers, St Pete will become a greater interconnected city with a plethora of
image and identity incorporated by its residents.
Many consider a light rail system a signifier to the quality of a city. St. Petersburg could gain tremendous image and
recognition from the rest of the world once a system is implemented. Daily lives become energized by the flow of the
rail, and although research of light-rail vs. rapid-bus-transit seems to find that the two are compatible financially long
term: the City of St. Pete can offer a solution to the residents of Midtown that demonstrates genuine investment and
initiative towards the residents who need transportation, not just those who can afford other means of infrastructure
advancement.
93

TITLE TEAM TWO

PROPOSED BUILDING INTERVENTIONS
- Additional space for commerce is woven
into the existing urban fabric, repairing tattered and vacant edges with density and
lively street rooms. On 22nd Street S, mixed
use commercial and residential spaces line
the street fronts with building typologies that
serve artists and local business, with scale
and proportioning that support the spirit
and culture of the The Dueces by recalling
its historical identity. On 3rd Street, the new
Ferry Station brings travelers to contemporary
commercial, retail, and muti-family residential structures, bringing a new identity to an
otherwise blighted area.

Master Plan Proposal - The new Master Plan for St Petersburg taps latent energy
within two main nodes of focus and extracts it
through key corridors. This is accomplished by
1) activating and encouraging lively streets
2) developing a system of pedestrian connectivity through continuation and multiplic7.2.1 Social Capital Energy Mapping
ity of transit options and 3) developing nodes

of interest along those pedestrian corridors.

PROPOSED BUILDING INTERVENTIONS
- Additional space for commerce is woven
into the existing urban fabric, repairing tattered and vacant edges with density and
lively street rooms. On 22nd Street S, mixed
use commercial and residential spaces line
the street fronts with building typologies that
serve artists and local business, with scale
and proportioning that support the spirit
and culture of the The Dueces by recalling
its historical identity. On 3rd Street, the new
Ferry Station brings travelers to contemporary
commercial, retail, and muti-family residential structures, bringing a new identity to an
otherwise blighted area.

Master Plan Proposal - The new Master Plan for St Petersburg taps latent energy
within two main nodes of focus and extracts it
through key corridors. This is accomplished by
1) activating and encouraging lively streets
2) developing a system of pedestrian connectivity through continuation and multiplicity of transit options and 3) developing nodes
of interest along those pedestrian corridors.
7.2
7.2.2 Social Capital Energy Mapping 7.2.3 Right Public Transportation Map.
7.2
7.2.4 Master Plan Model
99
7.2
7.2.5 Social Capital Energy Model 7.2.6 Right Master Plan
22nd STREET SOUTH
101
7.2
7.2.7 22nd STREET SOUTH NODE. Building Use

and Pedestrian Connectivity

The Masterplan for 22nd Street called for
suturing up the street front, closing gaps between
buildings with infill, and livening up the streets by
permeating the store fronts with store windows,
and undulating the building facades to create
nooks of activity and areas for queuing. The 5th
Avenue and 22nd Street intersection becomes
gateway to 22nd Street S by creating a community
space for cyclists and pedestrians, with shaded
gathering spaces, a bike shop, Bike Share Station,
and focused views of the art warehouses both
across the street and along the trail.
7.2.8 Master Plan Model 22nd Drive South .
22nd STREET SOUTH
103
7.2.9 Master Plan Model 22nd Street South .
7.2.10 22nd STREET SOUTH NODE.

Building typologies are reflective of
the historical scale and character of Midtown.
Small businesses spaces allow for local business
opportunities and added commercial variety to
accommodate a broader interest for space use.
7.2.11 Right. TRANSFORMATION OF THE STREET

EDGE
105
7.1.13 22nd STREET SOUTH AND 5th AVENUE

SOUTH INTERSECTION, LOOKING NORTH
7.2.14 22ND STREET AND 9TH AVENUE INTERSECTION, LOOKING SOUTH.
107
7.2.12 22nd STREET SECTION

Building typologies are reflective of the historical scale and character of Midtown. Small
businesses spaces allow for local business opportunities and added commercial variety to
accommodate a broader interest for space
use.
7.2
7.2.15 3rd STREET, USE & PEDESTRIAN

CONNECTIVITY DIAGRAM
7.2.16 MASTER PLAN 3RD STREET NODE
3rd DRIVE NODE
7.2.17 3rd Street Marina Area. The 3rd Street

commercial area will be served by a ferry
stop introduced at the Marina.The foot traffic from the pedestrian ferry will be provided
added bus stops for direct service to downtown. The New Ferry building and utterly undeveloped areas of 3rd street allow for the
opportunity for introducing a new character
to this area and creating an intimate experience with the water, differentiating it from
the experience of downtown, making the 3rd
Street commerce district diverse with users,
traffic and opportunity.
111
7.2.18 3rd Street Section

113
115
Spanning the Booker Creek Canal, the proposed pedestrian mall offers a unique shopping and dining experience
to Downtown St. Petersburg. Embracing the water edge visitors and residents can enjoy shopping, dining, and social
activities, all within a protected walking distance, and only steps away from mayor transportation.
7.2.20 3rd STREET FERRY, LOOKING WEST

Serving as a major treshhold between visitors & locals; Tampa and St. Petersburg. The proposed ferry station becomes a
thriving hub of new cultural activity. Hosting local shops, a fish market and movement from museums, shops and local
amenities. The new station is a meeting and collection of communities experiences.
7.2.19 PEDESTRIAN MALL & BOARDWALk, BOOKING NORTH BETWEEN 4TH AND 3RD STREET
7.2.21 Land Bridge Section. The 5th Avenue and

22nd Street S Gathering Space is the first stop on
a pedestrian corridor along the Pinellas Trail that
passes through Tropicana Field were we propose
a massive Central Park for St Pete, and the trail
user can carry along on the trail through the
park and connect to the Roser Park District, and
eventually the 3rd Street Ferry Hub using a large
land bridge. Buildings around the new Central
Park will accommodate multi-family residential,
creating prime, park view real estate options.
117
7.2.22 Land Bridge over Interstate 275.

The proposed new Central Park for St.
Petersburg is unscripted space that
allows for various opportunities of civic
engagement and community use.
Currently the only opportunity for such
events exists at the waterfront. The
close proximity to the Stadium ensures
diverse and ongoing activation of
the space. The large, sweeping Land
Bridge gives pedestrians priority over
the interstate, by ensuring beautiful
views of the park and the downtown
skyline.
119
121
Reflections
8.0
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whole process.
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the introduction for the whole process. This is
a box dedicated for the text for the introduction for the whole process.
the text for the introduction for the whole process.
By Robert M. MacLeod AIA
123
Figure 4.1.1
Studio critique with Mark Aeling of MGA Sculptor Studio, Ryan Swanson from the

Urban Conga, and Alec Smith from Hayes and Cummings Architecture.
Figure 4.2.1
Participatory Workshop with community residents.
Figure 4.2.2
Participatory Workshop with community leaders.
Figure 4.2.3
Circulation Diagram of the city.
Figure 5.0.1
Visit to Catano City Hall with Mario Corsino From InterGroup.
Figure 5.0.2
Site visit to San Felipe del Morro with fellow professor Vikas Metha. PhD.
Figure 5.0.3
Diagram of Cultural Centre of Activities
Figure 5.0.4
La Perla
Figure 5.0.5
San Felipe del Morro fort
Figure 5.0.6
La Concha Hotel
Figure 5.1.1
Plaza del Mercado Santurce
Figure 5.1.2
Relationship of public spaces, urban rooms along the waterfront
Figure 5.2.1
Plaza del Convento. Time lapsed picture.
Figure 5.2.2
Hierarchy of public spaces along water edge and buildings of interest
Figure 5.2.3
View of San Juan from Catano City
Figure 5.2.4
View of Catano from City Hall, with Mario Corsino from InterGroup
Figure 5.2.5
UPR campus visit with Andres Mennucci
Figure 5.2.6
Class trip picture at Catano Beach
Figure 6.1.0
In studio conceptual development
Figure 6.1.1
Concept board Team One
Figure 6.1.2
Process Model
Figure 6.1.3
Fabrication
Figure 6.1.4
Glue laminated frame
Figure 6.1.5
C & C Machine
Figure 6.1.6
Fabrication of installation
Figure 6.1.7
Sunday Comfort
Figure 6.1.8
Night time Glow
Figure 6.1.9
AD HOC Hangout
Figure 6.1.10
Dog Friendly
Figure 6.2.1
Installation concept board
Figure 6.2.2
Idea Sketch
Figure 6.2.3
Concept Scale Model
Figure 6.2.4
View from Bay Shore Dr
Figure 6.2.5
View from Beach Dr
Figure 6.2.6
View from Beach Dr
Figure 6.2.7
Light-Wind play
Figure 6.2.8
Sunset from Beach Dr
Figure 7.0.1
Master Plan model
Figure 7.1.1
Circulation and Movement Zones
Figure 7.1.2
Transportation and Area of Interconnectivity
9.0
References. List of Figures
125
22nd South Street. General Scheme

Model 22nd Drive South Node
Land Use Diagram
Weekend Activities Diagram
22nd South Street. Music Node
Section 22nd Drive South Node
Section 22nd Drive South Node and Interstate 275
View 22nd South Drive South towards Interstate 275
View 22nd South Drive South
4th Avenue South node. General Scheme
Land Use Diagram
Weekend Activities Diagram
Circulation Network Diagram
14th Avenue South node. General Scheme
Section of 4th Street
Section of Water Ferry Station
View of water ferry station from water
View of water ferry station from ferry
Water ferry station
Water ferry station
Intermodal station
Intermodal station
Social Capital Energy Mapping
Social Capital Energy Mapping
Public Transportation Map
Master Plan Model
Social Capital Energy Model
Master Plan
22nd Street South node. General Scheme
Master Plan Model 22nd Drive South
Master Plan Model 22nd Drive South
22nd Street South node
Transformation of the street edge
22nd Street Sections
22nd Street South and 5TH Avenue Intersection
22nd Street South and 9TH Avenue Intersection
3RD Street building use & pedestrian connectivity diagram
Figure 7.2.16
Figure 7.2.17
Figure 7.2.18
Figure 7.2.19
Figure 7.2.20
Figure 7.2.21
Figure 7.2.22
Masterplan 3rd Street node

3rd Street Marina area
3rd Street Section
Pedestrian Mall
3rd Street Ferry
Land Bridge Section
Land Bridge over Interstate 275
Figure 7.1.3
Figure 7.1.4
Figure 7.1.5
Figure 7.1.6
Figure 7.1.8
Figure 7.1.9
Figure 7.1.10
Figure 7.1.11
Figure 7.1.12
Figure 7.1.13
Figure 7.1.14
Figure 7.1.15
Figure 7.1.16
Figure 7.1.17
Figure 7.1.18
Figure 7.1.19
Figure 7.1.20
Figure 7.1.21
Figure 7.1.22
Figure 7.1.23
Figure 7.1.24
Figure 7.1.25
Figure 7.2.1
Figure 7.2.2
Figure 7.2.3
Figure 7.2.4
Figure 7.2.5
Figure 7.2.6
Figure 7.2.7
Figure 7.2.8
Figure 7.2.9
Figure 7.2.10
Figure 7.2.11
Figure 7.2.12
Figure 7.2.13
Figure 7.2.14
Figure 7.2.15
References. Bibliography
1.0
127
10.0
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SA+CD Urban Design Studio

Localizing Social Capital

St. Petersburg Waterfront Masterplan | Urban Design Studio C

Edited by Josue Robles Caraballo MArch. MSci.

A City Is Its People, Urban Visioning Acknowledgement

progress. This social capital is the common thread

ii. TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 LOCALIZING SOCIAL CAPITAL

LOCALIZING SOCIAL CAPITAL

Community Design Beyond the Classroom Walls.

allowed the students and guest to discuss topics

The student continued to engage the community

by the students, the greatest value of this effort

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

ANDREW M. HAYES. AIA, LEED BD+C

The USF School of Architecture and Community

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

Like many American cities, in St Petersburg there

separate from the commerce centered portion, in

ently, it is critical that architects practicing with a

In analyzing the social and cultural issues found,

In an attempt to lead the social discourse on what

This thread of conceptual thought is based upon

sustainable and transformational change.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

Economic opportunity provided fairly and equally

could be freely and openly themselves, and in

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

public safety and readily accessible for use and

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

can cities of our time. And this will require civic

Josue Robles Caraballo MArch, MSci

Josu attended the University of South Floridas School of Architecture

Andrew M. Hayes, AIA, LEED BD+C

Adjunct Professor + Managing Principal, hayes|cumming architects, pa

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

As means to allow the students understand the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urbanism Studio, Spring 2014

The city of St. Petersburg is home to a rich

WORKSHOPS WITH RESIDENTS.

Professors Josue Robles Caraballo and

lack of business locality in the areas of midtown;

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014

4.1.1 Studio critique with Mark Aeling of MGA

WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL BUSINESS

that are needed, and marketing strategies for

the city (the Manhattan Casino) were both said

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014

of the coming weeks. The students extrapolated

architecture is an element that offers a place for a

4.2.1 TOP Participatory Workshop with community residents.

as a whole. Understanding how these community

WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL BUSINESS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014

WORKSHOPS WITH RESIDENTS.

however with a common theme between all nine

WORKSHOPS WITH CIVIC LEADERS.

4.2.3 Circulation Diagram of the city

A final conversation, facilitated between

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014

5.0.1 Visit to Catano City Hall with Mario

5.0.2 Site visit to San Felipe del Morro

5.0.3 Diagram of Cultural Centre of Activities

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SA+CD Critical Urban Studio, Spring 2014