grace calderon

01 SUPER FUTURE - AUTOPIA CONCEPT DESIGN

The freeway is a monument integral to L.A.’s cityscape. While its significance in the city’s infrastructural fabric is undeniable, its detrimental effects on the social and cultural fabric of L.A. linger. The freeway tears through predominantly communities of color, as well as those of lower socioeconomic classes. As a response, we created layers of systems that target each of the following issues: division, pollution, walkability, and unoccupied spaces. The first system we created was a ring freeway system around the square mile, as a response to mediate the division and unused spaces with traditional freeway systems. These are units of a larger system and are adaptive to conditions where they burrow underground or protrude up. The second system we created was the ribbon massing structures that are also adaptive to their surroundings. They interact with their existing environment and structures by intersecting, passing over, or burrowing into the ground. They are also monumental land bridges that connect different spaces where the old freeway is divided. The third system was the reclamation of the freeway system—the freeway was a sparsely populated structure that held people temporarily. We want to densify the freeways and make them usable. Therefore, we excavated part of the freeways and vegetated them creating exclusively pedestrian and bike paths all throughout the old freeway system to tackle these issues.

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

An ode to the monumentality of the freeway system as a history of L.A.’s past. These ribbon buildings adapt and conform to the curvature of the existing freeway system, as well as the L.A. River. The radii and curvilinearity adapt to the surrounding condition that it sits on, passes over, or intersects. to create dynamic and vibrant pedestrian paths that extend beyond mere utility, offering an engaging and entertaining experience for those utilizing the transport infrastructure. In doing so, the project aims to promote pedestrian transportation, reduce reliance on automobiles, and cultivate an intriguing and enjoyable environment for its inhabitants.

CONNECTIVITY

With the addition of a ring loop network that encircles the square mile footage, it holds most of the automobile traffic and connects various points within the circle while reducing car traffic usage. Furthermore, the addition of the massings is not only for residential and commercial usage. They are also land bridges—they pass over, intersect, and sit on existing conditions. Where the freeway used to divide, now it is readily accessible.

ON A LARGER SCALE...

We created the ring system as a modular unit. The freeway system cut through not only the urban fabric but also the social fabric of Los Angeles. Within the circular system, we can avoid cutting through neighborhoods and creating a divide. The ring is equipped with a series of exit points and spokes connecting to other circular networks. In a way, this is kind of similar to the old freeway system, however, they do not create unoccupied spaces or divided spaces.

MASTER PLAN

The primary objective is to establish a network of pedestrian ramps that not only grant convenient access to various structures but also transform into an integral part of the buildings. This building-bridge integration blurs the lines between where pedestrian ramps conclude and the actual structures commence, ensuring a seamless blend. Furthermore, the buildings serve as structural supports for these bridges, fostering a symbiotic relationship between form and function. The ultimate vision is to create dynamic and vibrant pedestrian paths that extend beyond mere utility, offering an engaging and entertaining experience for those utilizing the transport infrastructure. In doing so, the project aims to promote pedestrian transportation, reduce reliance on automobiles, and cultivate an intriguing and enjoyable environment for its inhabitants.

PROGRAM DIAGRAM