Convertible Parks: New Architectural Strategies for Public Parks in a Changing Climate

dc.contributor.authorEaston IV, Johnen
dc.contributor.committeechairPiedmont-Palladino, Susan C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLinn, Andrew Pincusen
dc.contributor.committeememberKelsch, Paul J.en
dc.contributor.departmentArchitectureen
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-27T08:00:29Zen
dc.date.available2024-07-27T08:00:29Zen
dc.date.issued2024-07-26en
dc.description.abstractHuman beings have relied on outdoor public spaces for thousands of years to recreate, socialize, exercise, and conduct business. As climate change leads to more severe weather including flooding, prolonged heatwaves, and wildfires, our ability to safely spend time outdoors is increasingly under threat. While a lot of attention has focused on bolstering the resilience of physical infrastructure, social infrastructure such as public parks are often left behind. To address this issue, this project uses East Potomac Park in Washington, DC as a case study to explore architectural interventions to physically and socially adapt parks for climate change. The existing park, which sits on a sinking island constructed in the early 20th century, is frequently forced to close due to tidal flooding. Utilizing a managed retreat along the southwestern edge of the park, the northeastern edge can be reconstructed as a resilient park for the next century. A series of interconnected pavilions each contain a unique architectural program coupled with passive and active environmental strategies to create comfortable recreational opportunities throughout the year. Specifically, sawtooth roofs, brise soleil, and vegetation are explored to manage temperatures, light, and airflow.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralHuman beings have relied on outdoor public spaces for thousands of years to recreate, socialize, exercise, and conduct business. As climate change leads to more severe weather including flooding, prolonged heatwaves, and wildfires, our ability to safely spend time outdoors is increasingly under threat. While a lot of attention has focused on bolstering the resilience of physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, social infrastructure such as public parks are often left behind. To address this issue, this project uses East Potomac Park in Washington, DC as a case study to explore architectural strategies to physically and socially adapt parks for climate change. The existing park, which sits on a sinking island constructed in the early 20th century, is frequently forced to close due to tidal flooding. Utilizing a managed retreat along the southwestern edge of the park, the northeastern edge can be reconstructed as a resilient park for the next century with a series of interconnected pavilions housing recreational or social space.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Architectureen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:41173en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10919/120719en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectclimate changeen
dc.subjectpublic parksen
dc.subjectadaptationen
dc.subjectresilienceen
dc.subjectrecreationen
dc.subjectmanaged retreaten
dc.subjectEast Potomac Parken
dc.subjectWashingtonen
dc.subjectDCen
dc.titleConvertible Parks: New Architectural Strategies for Public Parks in a Changing Climateen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineArchitectureen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Architectureen

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