10_0609 | duñez...

It must be your lucky day, fair reader, because I have a treat for you.  No, it is not a Ferrari or ice cream, but I feel that you will not feel slighted in the least after discovering what it is I have for you.  Actually, I'm guessing that by now you are tuning me out and have already spied the colorful rectangle below.  Since you are a loyal and obedient reader, you have already seen on this site a rectangle similar to the one below.  It probably only took you a fraction of a fraction of a second to realize that it is indeed a movie clip.  I'm willing to bet that by now, you have already clicked the little triangle and it is either still loading, or 23 seconds into the video--depending on your internet connection and how fast you read.  You probably already stifled a giggle at Dalton jumping head first down the dune.  I can sense that I am struggling to keep your attention at this point.  The music is playing [Pagina Dos by Prefuse 73] and you're hooked by its catchy beat.  Perhaps a toe is tapping, or a head quietly nods [I know you read me at work, but I won't tell].  Maybe you are amazed at the buried picnic table, or perhaps you recognize it as the end of the world in Pirates 3.  Oh, and that 2 minute mark!  How did we get that on film?!  Amazing!  But, alas, the film is over and all eyes back up here.  Yup, thanks for your undivided attention.  Nevermind the movie-box below.  I have things to say!  Important things!  Oh, forget it, just watch the movie clip already...

Nipomo Dunes SA from Andrew Wickham on Vimeo.

The dunes is where they filmed this scene in Pirates 3. Pause the above 

clip at 44 seconds for a side-by-side comparison...

There are only 2 minutes, 30 seconds of utter bliss today.  Unless, of course, you play it again...

This was a group assignment for one of my classes at Cal Poly.  We had to create a two minute film of our site that showed the visual character of that site as well as identifiy some of the constraints and issues associated with the site.  It was filmed by myself, Dalton LaVoie, Erik Olson, and Joey Silva, and primarily edited by myself and Erik.  I think we shot it over two days...

10_0426 | revisiting the central waterfront pt 2...

Last we spoke of the project [10_0412 | revisiting the central waterfront pt 1] I introduced my site through a video showing the visual character and some issues facing the Central Waterfront.  In the interest of brevity, I will summarize the site:

• 300 acres on the east side of San Francisco
• Mostly industrial [production, distribution, and repair services]
• Highest concentration of historical buildings on the west coast
• Contains the historic Dogpatch neighborhood
• Contains the 2^nd largest operable dry dock on the west coast
• Maritime industry is crucial to city/region
• Beautiful 19^th century industrial architecture [should be maintained]
• Minimal residential or live-work units

I could go on and on, but these are the key points to keep in mind.  My site immediately faced several challenges: historical preservation, adaptive re-use, and maintaining a fading use within the city: industry.  The neighborhood was decrepit and falling apart.  It needed a facelift bad.  Also, there were barely enough services to maintain the residential population.  I had a goal to bring life to the Central Waterfront as a local and regional attraction through unique uses, increased residential density, and mixed-use development.  The idea would be that it would become a great place to live, work, play, or visit. 

My plan for the Central Waterfront focused on three things: 1. Respecting and embracing its rich cultural and marine heritage while planning for a new future.  2. Turning it into the freshest and ‘coolest’ neighborhood in San Francisco.  3. Connecting the area to the region through trails, rails, and wheels.  I decided to develop the waterfront [which is currently occupied by industrial uses] and bring several new uses to this area:  an aquarium; an outdoor venue for festivals, concerts, and shows; a green corridor for biking/running/walking/etc; a museum and technology center; and an indoor market.  I also included varying densities of mixed-use, residential, and commercial development, several parks, and plans for preserving the Dogpatch neighborhood.  These new uses would embrace the past but also plan for a new Central Waterfront.  The aquarium, museum, and venues would bring visitors from near and far, while the new development would make it a great place to live.  With the program complete, it was time to put pen to paper and get a design going…

Example of the 19th century industrial architecture building stock common to 

the Central Waterfront

Industrial buildings in the Central Waterfront

Historical buildings [as recognized by the National Register]

The Historical Dogpatch Neighborhood

10_0412 | revisiting the central waterfront pt. 1...

As several of you may know, the fifth year of the Cal Poly landscape architecture program is dedicated to a thesis project.  This project is one of student origin.  As a student, you get to take a look at what you've been doing the past four years and where you think you want to go in the vast field of landscape architecture.  Once you've figured that out [good luck], the idea is that you create your own design project centered around your desires and interests.  Some students chose very real projects they could design and build themselves, others opted for more theoretical research-based projects.  Others felt leading a community in a process that would recognize that community's desires and needs was more up their alley.  I went with the more traditional urban design route.  My site is the largely industrial and historical neighborhood of the Central Waterfront District in San Francisco, CA.  The video below was part of the first step of identifying and analyzing the key issues the site is facing.  The video focuses more on identifying the visual identity of the site.  Over the next several weeks I will be posting on the design and process I underwent to finish my thesis project.  This will be the beginning of a series of posts relevant to some of my past projects...enjoy!

re|cast // site analysis from Andrew Wickham on Vimeo.