Two Conceptual Proposals for Urban Development in Raleigh. NC. USA

The first proposal (to follow below) would combine a transportation modal-interchange + photovoltaic driven electric vehicle charge point + commercial leasable space + condominiums and apartments. The entire property would be partially shaded underneath a canopy of solar arrays.

The existing property is a former bus garage + passenger arrival/departure point. There are 3.85 acres on the plot allowing for a quadrant of blocks if each were less than 1 acre in area.

The image is very schematic and was done on less than 24hrs notice, so please pardon the crude rendering and volume representations. It was meant simply to express interest in the project and convey the concept.

The surrounding neighborhood is slowly receiving investment and taking private redevelopment proposals. My collaborators are seeking to take part in the redevelopment of the area.

Without further adieu:

Upper left shows transit connection to newly redeveloped Oakwood neighborhood. Upper right shows existing structure volumes on site. Lower right shows existing perspectives and center shows proposed solar arrays on site.

The second proposal (to follow below) would have a KMART parking lot redeveloped as commercial leasable space + condominiums and apartments formed into a car-free urban village. The entire property would be reinvented and rescaled to the pedestrian and the construction would be cost-effective light wood frame and cast in place concrete or stucco over wood for fireproofing.

The existing property is a KMART with several acres of impermeable surface parking. A popular Whole Foods Market has opened across the adjacent thoroughfar drawing attention away from the KMART. By activating an elevated  pedestrian crossing, the new neighborhood would be in direct concert with the Whole Foods.  By designing the neighborhood as car-free, we would attract national attention to the reinvention of urban space. The streets within the development would be safe for children, clean, quiet, and promote outdoor patio activity. The homes/apartments would be 1 bedrm ,2 bdrm, and 2 bdrm+ flex room promoting young professionals and small families. The commercial leasable spaces would be designed for small workspaces, offices, neighborhood grocers, laundromats, concierge services, and various new opportunities to be discovered through actual use post-implementation.

The image is very schematic and was done on 12hrs notice, so please pardon the crude rendering and volume representations. It was meant simply to express interest in the project and convey the concept.

The surrounding neighborhood is somewhat stable and affluent, and investment in the car-free concept would promote a mixed income environment (from reduced construction/site development cost and associated reductions in rent/lease/purchase pricing).

Without further adieu:

Upper left shows site and urban context wherease upper right shows information about the property and immediate site. Lower left shows deplorable waste of urban land as typified by large large auto-dependent development. Lower right shows type of space inherent in car-free pedestrian focused, as developed into one and two story residential space (key is that alleys are activated as private yards). Lower middle shows acres of parking associated with big-box retail, whiole upper image shows the parking reinvented as pedestrian focused/car-free urban village.