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See My City

September 27' 2021
The Assignment
This assignment challenged students to explore the early stages of the design process by observing a location in New York City and then identifying and investigating opportunities for design interventions within that space in the form of a mid-fidelity model.
I chose Stuy Park, a park located inside Stuy Town (an apartment complex) for this project. I recently moved in and thought it’d be an exciting idea to better know my new home by using it for the assignment.
The Problem
After multiple visits at different times of the day, I figured that the park and apartment complex, in general, lacked accessibility, approachability, and illumination at night. The streets were too dark and quiet at night, drastically affecting the space’s approachability and accessibility.
Observation & Analysis of Stuy Park
Understanding the environment through mind-mapping. This allowed me to unload all my initial observations onto paper, providing me with a database of raw information to look through.
Language of the Environment
(surfacing, negative space, the reflection of light, greenery)
People
(movement, behavior, interactions, demographics, clothing) 
Sound
(daytime)
Sound
(night time)
Sensory Perception
(sight, touch, taste, sound, memory association, taste, mood)
Contextualizing the park by making rounds around the apartment complex that it is located in.
Understanding and visualizing the movement of sound as I move throughout the space.
An in-depth breakdown of the park itself, including amenities surrounding it and where people tend to cluster in the public space.
Understanding and visualizing the movement of people as I move throughout the space.
Visualization of human density and around the park. Stuy Park is the central park inside a system of parks located inside a private apartment complex.
Ambient Lighting Importance
Ambient Sound Importance
Increases safety
Aids in geographic orientation
Highlights the identity and history of an area
Creates a sense of social presence which is effective in regulating people's fear
An environmental cue to increase a location's perceived safety
Key Takeaway:
Privately Owned Public Space = Inaccessible Public Space
Viable Solution
As a result of this research, my mid-fidelity model will be a signboard that provides ambient sound and lighting to increase Stuy Park’s and Stuy Town’s approachability, accessibility, and illumination at night.
Sketches & Sketch Models
The focus of these sketches is on organic forms to blend in better with its tree-like surroundings. The lights, in particular, are almost palm tree-shaped because I wanted them to mimic the shape of a tree branch. Chess tables help make a space more approachable because it is a game that most people understand how to play, it can also be a source of ambient light and sound during the night. Skateboard racks might also attract visitors, although you risk them getting stolen. The streets could have lights installed along its sidewalks and sound systems in place there too. These were completed in 5 to 10-minute intervals and polished and refined after class.
Mid-Fidelity Model
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