Mediative Urbanisms – Entry 105
Presented by:
Benjamin Montoya – beejay76 (at) mac (dot) com
Seattle WA
Irish Hills Art Space
The design for the new Irish Hill Art Space seeks to be a place where Irish Hill residents and the Greater Louisville community has a place to work, create, learn, and play! A vibrant urban center, the vision incorporates the neighborhoodʼs rich historic and cultural fabric while enhancing the former River Metals site as an community for burgeoning artists and environmental learning space.
Confluence
Lexington Road, Beargrass Creek, and rail lines on the north end of the site recalls a convergence industry that passed into and through the neighborhood. A system of new pedestrian and urban (wheels and heels) trails enhances this experience for pedestrians and bicyclist to meander along the creek; ride separately and safely along the road; or browse through the market areas.
Stitches
The layout of trails also recognizes Irish Hillʼs unique proximity to Downtown Louisville and adjacent neighborhoods. A new network of trails offers multi-modal access so whether by TARC or by bike, Art Space helps connect neighbors to downtown. Once isolated by the creek and busy roadways, bridges and roadway crossings help to stitch the site and the adjacent community together.
Seasons
Elements within the Art Space provide “lessons in the land” and reconnect the residents to the natural environment reclaiming what was once a scrapyard. An array of “tide poles” stretch across streams and mark rise and fall of water level. A bowl-like amphitheater spaces provides additional retention pool in times of flood. The site provides countless opportunities to connect with and learn about the Irish Hills hidden natural context.
Site Organization-Themes:
Programmatic and spacial themes speak to the evolution of the site recalling its Industrial roots (East); transitioning to Post-Industrial Space (Central) where the natural growth reclaim remnants of an industrial past. Then into the Natural Space where the organic elements reclaim the land.
Industrial Space
•Market Area
•Community Building
•Artist Live-Work Units
•Co-op Gardens/P-Patch
Post-Industrial
• Art Studio/Courtyard
• Sculpture Garden
Natural
•Wetland Demonstration
•Environmental Learning Center
•Outdoor Performance Space/Amphitheater
