LaGrange Commercial Area Planning Analysis Mike Rosen Architects, P.C. Seattle Design Studio

A GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

1. Buildings Only 2. Streets Only 3. Streets and Parking       4. Streets and Buildings 5. Streets, Buildings, and Parking 6. Buildings Highlighted

As a tool to aid in the understanding of the current plan, and the various implications therof, a number of figure-ground studies have been created, as shown above. The studies are intended to show the patterns created by circulation (streets) and built structure (buildings). Once these patterns are understood, it should be come possible to devise strageties for strengthen desirable patterns and minimize negative ones.

CIRCULATION PATTERNS

Patterns Established Questionable Conditions

This analysis is based on the street patterns, with parking removed. In general, these streets create a very clear pattern of circulation. The solid red lines in the diagram on the left indicate vehicular traffic, while the dashed lines indicate purely pedestrian circulation. Two possibly quesionable conditions present themselves when examining this diagram: Condition A: A potentially confusing spur from the circle to the South leads into a holding area outside the Assisting Living building. Condition B: A potentially confusing street containing condition due to the fact that a street onto which houses front is actually an access to parking, and does not lead anywhere else. Potential Solutions: Condition A: Emphasize Primary Circulation, downplay service area. Condition B: 1. Provide through Circulation. 2. Eliminate the Conflict by providing direct access to the parking.

SPACES

Spaces Blocks

Another analysis, this of the spaces created by buildings, brings up another condition worthy of study. On the left, various spaces are color coded. Green represents positive public spaces intentionally created by the placement of buildings. Blue represents spaces created by parking. generally to the "back side" of buildings" In most cases, these are essentially hidden from pubic view. Yellow represents spaces created by deference to existing buildings. Red represents a space between buildings created somewhat accidentally by placing significant parking in front of or next to a building, rather than behind it, exposing parking to public view, On the right, the perceived blocks created by groupings of buildings is indicated. Once again, we see that the area created at the location of the question mark (?) seems to vary from the overall patterns being developed. Potential Solution: Move the building forward, place the parking behind, and clean up parking access.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are in response to the issues identified above: A. Move buildings toward the street, develop parking behind. B. Simplify intersection by eliminating extraneous parking access. Coordinate with parking access across the street. C. Eliminate vehicular access through artist's residences, develop continuous boardwalk that brings this feature all the way out to Main Street. D. Clean up parking access, diminish relative visual impact of drives vs. streets. E. Entry road seemed excessively wide. Reduced from 48 feet to 36 (pulled away from assisted living). F. Modify shape of building to coordinated better with overall plan. Create entry structure off off plaza compatible with other buildings on the plaza. G. Coordinate design of four buildings around angled portion of Main Street to create a node.

REVISED GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS:

1. Buildings Only 2. Streets Only 3. Streets and Parking       4. Streets and Buildings 5. Streets, Buildings, and Parking 6. Buildings Highlighted