Existence Confluence

An Exploration of Social Interaction Through the Study of a Marketplace

ex•ist \ig’zist\ vb 1 : have real or actual

being 2 : live - ex•ist•ence n

con·flu·ence \knfl-ns\ n 1 : a flowing

together of two or more streams 2 : a gath-
ering, flowing, or meeting together at one
juncture or point 1

Stacey Westenberger • 2005-2006 • Senior Thesis Project • California Polytechnic State Univeristy San Luis Obispo • College of Architecture and Environmental Design • Professor Jonathan Reich
 The following excerpts demonstrate:

• Architecture engages the senses

on an intimate level. It can elicit a
sense of consciousness among users
resulting in increased awareness
of the surrounding physical
environment.

• In an urban setting, the built

environment sets a scene for humans
to recognize the beauty in everyday
life.

• Architecture shapes a place for

interaction to occur between users.

Thesis Excerpts...
Can architecture make us aware
of our surroundings and the
beauty in the “ordinary” mo-
ments in our lives? It begins
with how we define ordinary.
Ordinary is defined by Merriam-
Webster’s Dictionary as:
or•di•nar•y
adj: of common occurrence,
quality, or ability.1
Ordinary does not mean the
object in which it describes is of
low quality or lacking in ability;
it refers, however, to something
that is usual or customary.
These familiar instances do not
lack quality because we have
experienced them before, how-
ever, this quality becomes harder
to recognize when it is all around
us. The “ordinary” moments
are necessary in order to be a
 
basis for things extraordinary.
Something extraordinary stands
out from the rest and demands
one’s attention. However, this
does not negate the inherit
significance and beauty in the
ordinary. Koren uses the term
Wabi Sabi to express the beauty
in ordinary things. He first
describes beauty; “Beauty can
spontaneously occur at any
moment given the proper cir-
cumstances, context, or point of
view. Beauty is thus an altered
state of consciousness, and
extraordinary moment of po-
etry and grace” (Koren 51). He
further explains Wabi Sabi with
the ideas of ordinary versus ex-
traordinary. Koren demonstrates
Wabi Sabi as coexisting, rather
than imposing. “Unpretentious.
Things wabi-sabi are unstudied
and inevitable looking. They do
Architecture
not blare out ‘I am important’
or demand to be the center of
attention. They are understated
and unassuming, yet not without
presence or quiet authority.
Things wabi-sabi easily co-exist
with the rest of their environ-
ment” (Koren 68). After realizing
there is potential for beauty in
habitual things, the question
remains, how can we recognize
environmental influence on our
everyday life?
In an urban environment,
architecture sets a scene for...

The experience of architecture
should not be limited to a
certain age group, social class,
or economic level. As diversity
grows among the populations
of our global world, a common
“The encounter with other per-
ceivers continually assures me
that there is more to any thing,
or to the world, than I myself can
perceive at any moment.”
(Abrams 39)
ground is needed for which
all people can experience and
understand. Architecture
provides a place to bring people
10
together under a common
purpose, therefore promoting
interaction between social strata.
Through this interaction, results
understanding and respect.
There is a realization that we,
as members of a global society
may not be equal, but we all
have common daily activities.
An understanding of the world
around you is needed on a large
and small scale; recognizing
the role of nature, people,
and the built environment on
your everyday activities. Do
they enhance or hinder your
own development and the
development of the world (big or
small) around you?
Our interactions with people
in a place become moments
within our lives. Through these
interactions, emotions are drawn
out of all the indicators affecting
our lives at that one moment
in time. Time, place, weather,
people, etc. all play into the
feelings we perceive at a specific
moment. Factors such as being
cold, wet, tired, sick, etc. all af-
Architecture creates public
places for interaction to occur.
fect how a person perceives and
instance. History also affects
what the person feels at the
present moment.
Who is the user group then? It
is everyone! Old, young, tall,
short, rich, poor, one, many,
People
visitors, races, etc. Architecture
should be for everyone to enjoy.
It should create public places
for interaction to occur between
each end of the spectrum,
simultaneously creating under-
standing and recognition of the
diversity within the community
and the greater world.
Since 2001, there are 1426
new residential units that have
opened in St. Louis City. And
an additional 1,000 units began
construction at the end of 2004.
(CID)
11
 The following excerpts demonstrate:

• Site - Eads Bridge

• Vicinity - St. Louis, MO

• Community - A segregated
population motivates the design of
a place for social interaction.

• Program - Public Marketplace

“Markets are seen as neutral

spaces that belong to no single
age group, giving them a
multi-generational character
and sense of community like
few other places.”
(Freid)

Place Excerpts...

Population change in the 1990s:
In more recent years, St.
-47,163 (-11.9%)
Louis has fallen from its spot
among the largest bustling
cities within the U.S. and is now
steadily declining. Although
the St. Louis region ranks 17th
in population nationwide, the
Metropolitan Statistical Area
consists of 6,391 square miles,
with a population of 2.6 million
people, only 16% of which live
in the City of St. Louis. In the
1950’s, St. Louis experienced
“white flight” from the city and
still suffers from its trend today.
White flight is a colloquial
term for the demographic
trend of white people,
generally but not al-
ways upper and middle
class, moving away
14
Vicinity
St. Louis, Missouri USA
from increasingly and Elevation: 465 feet
predominantly non-white
Land area: 61.9 square miles
areas, finding new homes
in nearby suburbs or even
moving to new locales
entirely. 9
Most businesses eventually
moved out of the city to the
suburbs in order to be closer
to their work force; thus eco-
nomically devastating the cities
growth. As a result, the city has
been under plans of redevelop-
ment since the 1960’s, although
it is just beginning to show signs
of resolve. 10
33
The diversity among city resi-
dents becomes the motivator
for a place of social interaction.
Contrary to segregation, a
common place for interaction
allows for dissemination of the
diverse makeup within the city.
The history of misunderstanding
among social classes and races,
leading to the giant urban
sprawl and “white flight” further
supports the need for a com-
mon place where all people feel
welcome.
The number of visitors to the
city each year is of major
economic wealth to the city.
Increasing the number of
attractions and amenities will
further enhance the tourism
market and sustain its suc-
cess. Visitors are another user
group who will benefit from a
common place of interaction.
Often times, visitors also like to
observe their travel destination
in its raw atmosphere. A place
for visitors and residents allows
for them to interact and learn
from each other.
36
Demographics10
Population (year 2000): 348,189 78,159 renter occupied)
Est. population in July 2004: 343,279 (-1.4% change) Median resident age: 33.7 years
Median household income: $27,156 (year 2000)
Males: 163,567 (47.0%) Median house value: $63,900 (year 2000
Females: 184,622 (53.0%)
For population 25 years and over in St. Louis
Races in St. Louis: High school or higher: 71.3%
Black (51.2%) Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.1%
White Non-Hispanic (42.9%) Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
Hispanic (2.0%) Unemployed: 11.3%
Two or more races (1.9%) Mean travel time to work: 25.1 minutes
Vietnamese (1.0%)
American Indian (0.8%) For population 15 years and over in St. Louis city
Other race (0.8%) Never married: 41.5%
Now married: 32.7%
Daytime population change due to commuting: +122,234 Separated: 4.4%
(+35.1%) Widowed: 9.2%
Workers who live and work in this city: 82,480 (58.6%) Divorced: 12.3%
Houses: 176,354 (147,076 occupied: 68,917 owner occupied,
37

10. Incorporate the Eads Bridge as
a public event venue in conjunction
with the riverfront by improving the
bicycle and pedestrian connections
between the riverfront and the Eads
Bridge,
By providing vertical circulation/ac-
cess to the Bridge Deck, the Metro
Link Station and connecting the
Riverfront,
By providing horizontal / lateral cir-
culation connections, Arch grounds,
parking and bridges.
-St. Louis Community
Development Plan 16
Site: Eads Bridge
The Eads Bridge was the built
in 1874 as the first structure to
cross the Mississippi River, the
largest river in North America.
Built to allow trains to cross
the river, it reaffirmed St. Louis
as a major trading capital. The
Eads Bridge was a marvel of
engineering during its erection
and even today.
As a connection between Il-
linois and Missouri, the bridge
currently acts as a minor pas-
sageway for car traffic. Future
plans include closing the bridge
to car traffic permanently, while
promoting a promenade, hosting
public events such as the exist-
ing, Taste of St. Louis. What
options exist to utilize its great
length and promote the bridge
as a public gathering space?
61
 Program

A public marketplace is about such as restrooms and places -Vendor stalls

the experience of interaction and to relax. While thriving due to
observation first, but also has its proximity to tourist attrac- -Cafes/Restaurants
an overlying purpose of offering tions and the metro line, easy -Nutrition Education
fresh and nutritious foods to access from highways and the
those living in an urban environ- city streets, as well as parking -Observation Kitchen
ment. In that case, along with accommodations for bikes and -Cookbook Retail
vendor stalls, a market provides cars. -Restrooms
They are home to endless hand -Bike Racks
to hand transactions, evolving -Metro Station
relationships. 7
places to sit, relax, and observe
(i.e. benches and cafes), as well
as educational programs (i.e.
observation kitchens, nutrition
information, and helpful tips
about food). There is a basic
support system allowing a mar-
ket to be a place of gathering,

27
 The following excerpts demonstrate:

• Interaction between users, the

historic bridge, and the new structure
are studied through the analysis of
plans, sections, and models.

• Initial ideas on form and

connection to the Eads Bridge are
evaluated for feasibility.

Schematic Design Excerpts...

Plan Analysis

Major Points of Consideration:

• Continuing outdoor recreation
space
• Vendor connection to indoor and
outdoor spaces
• Mezzanine over market space to
provide a place for reflection on
activity
• Vendor Space Analysis

121
Adjacencies

The stacked spaces provide cir-

culation between bridge levels.
The experience of circulation
is enhanced by simultaneously
experiencing the bridge.

123
 Sections

The East side of the building is two levels offering a demonstration

kitchen on the bridge deck as a base to the market hall. The cafe
space is within the bridge opening and brings the occupants closer to
the barrel vault of the bridge. It is also at the same level as the train
tracks, which cross perpendicular to the bridge allowing a new perspec-
tive on the many forms of transportation integrated within the historic
structure.

The cross section shows the connection of the bridge to the arch
grounds. The level which fills the space between the bridge and flood-
wall provides office space, as well as the two-story glass wall offers
views to the city (west) and river (east). The multiple stories of space
also provide circulation to the cafe within the vault, three floors below
the main market.
Like the main market entry from the bridge, the access point from the
arch grounds into the market space is a sloping plane, which becomes
the roof/deck for the market hall. Again the sloping plane also offers a
nice place for sitting to look back at the arch from the bridge.

130 131
Study Model

The newspaper topography repre-

sents “everyday life” with the bridge
rising from it. The streets are
delinated by white spray paint and
the river is exposed torn cardboard.
The railroad tracks are represented
by black chip board. The market
building is made up of a pliable
material, one-sided cardboard, to
form the smooth transition to the
roof, while structure is represented
by basswood. The circulation tow-
ers are wrapped in mesh to signify
a translucency and texture.

125
 The following excerpts demonstrate:

• The project further develops the

user’s experience, reaffirming the
thesis that architecture can increase
a user’s awareness of his or her
surroundings.

• The final presentation is a

reflection of the completed
architectural design. The materials
and composition mimic the light
structure grounded in the historic
bridge while creating a progressional
experience for the viewer.

Design Development Excerpts...

 Occupiable Space 04/20/2006
What areas are accessible by occupants and what
experience does it provide?
• Angle guides attention up and out
towards the arch and city.
• Reveal of skin guides view down-
ward toward Laclede’s Landing.
• Mezzanine provides space for
looking over market operations.
• The bridge deck provides an
unobstructed path and experience.
• At bridge deck, the platform is
extended.
163
 Final Documetation

• 22+ Permanent Vendor Stalls

• The main bridge deck provides
opportunities for temporary vendors
• The cafe space celebrates its sepa-
ration from the main market space
and provides a relaxed atmosphere
focusing on the appreciation of the
bridge.
• The circulation to the cafe also
allows users access to the riverfront
and bridge deck.
• An outdoor deck wraps around the
East side of the market providing
outdoor places to retreat and reflect
on the city and water.

Floor Plan

176 177
 Elevation/Sections

• The south elevation reveals the market as a mass lifted out of the existing bridge deck.
• The openings in the 2’ thick wall mimic the openings in the limestone bridge and offer places for sitting or resting in the market
space.
• The cafe protrudes through the front opening of the bridge at the same level as the existing railroad tracks.
• The Switzer building is still exposed from the gradual increase in height of the market building as it extends along the bridge.
• The sloping paths reach out in both directions toward the city and beyond.
• In section, the building provides a varying experience at all levels in width and height.
• The structure cantilevers over the bridge deck, separating it from the historic structure.
South Elevation

Sequential Cross Section

178 179
Model (1/32” = 1’-0”)

Materials:

basswood
plywood
wire
reacted metal mesh
sound deafening board
plexi-glass

187
Section Model (1/4” = 1’-0”)

Basswood structure attached to a limestone

base with metal rods.

189
 Final Presentation 05/22/2006 and 05/26/2006

The main idea behind the final The models were displayed
presentation was to create a using the coffee table submitted
similar feeling as evoked by the to the Vellum competition. The
designed market place. The base of the coffee table was
11x17 drawings create a similar placed on its side to form the
repetition as found in the bridge, X-shaped base for the larger
while the sketch of St. Louis is model, where as the stools were
unpretentious slowly revealing stacked to form a podium for the
itself to the observer as one section model.
passes around the project. The
timeline portrays not only a his-
tory of St. Louis and why a mar-
ket is vital, but also the design
process, and when precedents
were built. The drawings were
suspended using orange string
and magnets to create a light
almost floating feeling, similar
to the raised structure of the
market. The limestone bricks
grounded the presentation much
like the bridge grounds the
entire project.
190 191
 Download the complete Existence Confluence
thesis book at:

http://staceywestenberger.blogspot.com

The End.