Texas Tech University

College of Architecture

Fall 2000

ARCH 3501 Architecture Design III

PROJECT 1

A Pedestrian Bridge For the United Spirit Arena at Texas Tech University

 

Project issue: Monday, August 28, 2000

Reviews: Wednesdays, August 30, September 6, 13

Final submittal: Wednesday, September 20, 2000, 4 PM

 

PROJECT EMPHASIS

• To investigate appropriate structural systems
• To explore structured assemblies and their detail(ed) expression
• To address visual and formal architecture expression 

THE DESIGN PROBLEM

The United Spirit Arena (USA) is the primary venue for Texas Tech University’s basketball and volleyball programs, University wide graduation activities, and various musical and entertainment shows. The USA has been open for use since October 1999 and is currently served by three primary parking facilities. To the north is an on-grade parking lot that will shortly experience the construction of a two story parking structure with direct connections to the Arena. The second facility is the series of commuter parking lots located west of the USA that are currently separated from the Arena by Indiana Avenue. Funds have been allocated for the relocation of Indiana Avenue to an alignment that will pass south and west of these commuter lots. Designs call for the old Indiana Avenue to be removed and landscaped thus allowing safe pedestrian access to the United Spirit Arena from the west.

 

The only parking lot(s) that will remain isolated from having direct pedestrian access from one’s car to the USA will be the Law School R-2 parking lot(s) located directly south of the Arena, and the Z-4 lot southeast of the Arena. Once Indiana Avenue is relocated, the 18^th Street/Indiana Avenue intersection will become one of the primary entrances/gateways to Texas Tech University.

 

Your task is to design a pedestrian bridge that spans from the United Spirit Arena’s southeast elevated entrance plaza across 18^th Street maintaining adequate vehicular clearances and culminating in a series of handicapped ramps and an elevator on the south end of the bridge. Your bridge design must not only function as a safe pedestrian access point to the USA but also should celebrate the notion of the “gateway” in a manner that acknowledges the traditions of Texas Tech Spanish Renaissance architecture as well as sets forth the image of Texas Tech University as a 21^st Century institution of higher learning and advanced research.

ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM

The architectural program consists of the following components:

• An elevated pedestrian bridge that has adequate vehicular clearance over 18^th street for the passage of all types of vehicles. The bridge must have at least a twenty-foot (20 ft.) clear walkway. None of the supports can be built within fifteen feet (15 ft.) of the existing curb line.
• The elevated pedestrian bridge must be made accessible to the physically challenged via the use of ramps and at least one (1) elevator.
• Elevator equipment room.
• Minimal protection from the weather may be considered.
• Lighting for safety and architectural expression.
• Sidewall protection that will inhibit tossing objects or jumping off the bridge.
• The structure must, in someway, be apparent in the architectural expression of the bridge.
• The bridge should be a “Gateway” to the University whose overall architectural character and structural expression acknowledges the traditions of Texas Tech Spanish Renaissance architecture while being innovative and reflect the spirit of the 21^st Century.

PRESENTATION REQUIREMENT AND DUE DATES

The final due date for the Project 1 shall be Wednesday, September 20, 2000 at 4 PM. Interim due dates for review of design progress shall be Review 1, Wednesday, August 30, 2000; Review 2, Wednesday, September 6, 2000; and review 3, Wednesday, September 13, 2000. Presentation requirements for Interim and Final due dates shall be determined individually by each studio instructor.