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Banyan Hub | Un nuevo catalizador urbano en West Palm Beach

Category: ⚐ ES+arquitectura+ecosistema urbano+sostenibilidad


Tras ganar el concurso internacional Shore to Core,promovido por West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) y convocado por el Van Alen Institute in 2017, Ecosistema Urbano está desarrollando varias partes de la propuesta, entre ellas el visionario edificio Banyan Hub.

El proyecto Banyan Hub surge de la intuición de la ciudad de West Palm Beach y del CRA de transformar el actual Banyan Garage, un edificio de aparcamiento de los años 70 ubicado en el corazón de la ciudad, en una nueva oportunidad para activar la ciudad, un hub para decenas de nuevas actividades para residentes y visitantes.

Ecosistema Urbano ha finalizado el Schematic Design del proyecto que ha sido aprobado oficialmente por la Comisión de la Ciudad de West Palm Beach el pasado 22 de octubre. El proyecto se seguirá desarrollando en los próximos meses.

El Banyan Hub en el contexto urbano de West Palm Beach.      .

Un edificio híbrido y flexible, abierto día y noche
El Banyan Hub aglutina en un solo edificio un amplia gama de programas, desde espacios abiertos y públicos hasta áreas reservadas y privadas: tres plazas públicas con actividad comercial y un pabellón de eventos, dos plantas de centro de negocios y espacio coworking, un centro deportivo YMCA con espectaculares vistas sobre la laguna y un área residencial con diferentes tipologías de viviendas, que van desde unidades mínimas de 46 m2 hasta viviendas dúplex de 140 m2.

La gran variedad de posibilidades que ofrece el edificio tendrá un importante impacto en la forma de vivir en el centro de West Palm Beach. Los programas son complementarios entre sí, creando una red de servicios en la cual cada parte funciona de manera independiente, pero todos ellos contribuyen para ofrecer al usuario una experiencia única.
Además, el nuevo edificio no perderá su función como garaje, ya que incorporará un aparcamiento robotizado.
La sostenibilidad y el diseño bioclimático son ingredientes clave del Hub Banyan, que se caracteriza por su fachada permeable, dos patios y múltiples dispositivos climáticos activos y pasivos.

Banyan Hub | Un edificio de programa complejo rodeado por una piel verde y permeable.

Plazas urbanas: ampliar las posibilidades del espacio público y multiplicarlas por 3
El corazón público del Banyan Hub late en las tres plazas públicas situadas en diferentes niveles:

  • Una plaza flexible y permeable a nivel de calle, con un vestíbulo abierto conectado a las calles circundantes y al passageway o calle de servicios, que integra actividades de comercio y restauración además de varios espacios de servicio.

Banyan Hub | Planta de la Plaza Pública a pie de calle.

  • Una plaza cubierta al aire libre en un nivel intermedio para eventos temporales y actividades culturales, con elementos arquitectónicos espectaculares como una cascada digital interactiva y un patio verde.

Varias actividades en la Plaza Pública elevada del Banyan Hub.    .

  • Una terraza que ofrece una vista panorámica del entorno natural único de Florida y de todo el centro de la ciudad. La terraza dispone de un pabellón para albergar eventos cívicos (reuniones públicas, proyecciones, actuaciones) así como eventos privados como bodas.

Eventos en el pabellón cívico de la terraza del Banyan Hub.

Espacios públicos interconectados
Los tres espacios públicos principales se conectan para ofrecer la experiencia de un viaje dinámico a través de los diferentes entornos. La ciudad está conectada con la plaza urbana elevada del nivel intermedio a través de una escalera mecánica exterior que dinamiza la fachada del Bulevar Banyan y permite detenerse en el anillo comercial de los dos primeros niveles. Desde la plaza elevada se puede acceder a la terraza por la impresionante rampa helicoidal que rodea el patio verde.

Banyan Hub | Diseño bioclimático del edificio.

Un edificio con un corazón verde
Otros usos en el bloque central del edificio son el Business Hub y el YMCA, cada uno de los cuales ocupa dos niveles. Ambas zonas se caracterizan por la presencia del patio verde central, un espacio natural al aire libre de múltiples niveles que da continuidad a las plazas urbanas ajardinadas del edificio. Además, el patio verde tiene una función bioclimática pasiva relevante, ya que ayudaría a reducir las temperaturas hasta 5ºF y regularía la ventilación, proporcionando unas condiciones ambientales agradables durante todo el año, reduciendo su impacto ambiental y los costes de operación y gestión.

Business Hub | Trabajar en el Banyan Hub en contacto directo con la naturaleza.

Una fachada que respira
La fachada actúa como uno de los principales sistemas de acondicionamiento climático del edificio, filtrando la radiación solar directa y regulando la ventilación. Está formada por un conjunto de elementos individuales que, según las condiciones climáticas medidas a tiempo real y las necesidades del edificio, modifica su configuración. Entre la fachada y el interior del edificio existe un espacio de transición, o buffer verde, compuesto por una estructura permeable en la que crece vegetación convirtiéndose en un espacio habitable y capaz de albergar programas. Este espacio intermedio actúa como un segundo filtro natural para la luz natural y la brisa y contribuye positivamente a la regulación de la temperatura interior por evaporación.

YMCA en Banyan Hub | Pista exterior a 34 metros de altura en el Banyan YMCA.

YMCA en Banyan Hub | Nadando en el cielo en Banyan YMCA.

Vivir con vistas a la laguna
El bloque superior del edificio está dedicado a la vivienda. Las unidades residenciales están orientadas al exterior, disfrutando de unas vistas privilegiadas de la ciudad y de la laguna. Un sistema modular permite la combinación de unidades de diferentes tamaños, que van desde 46 a 140 m2. La reducida dimensión de los micro apartamentos se compensa con instalaciones comunes interiores y exteriores, específicamente concebidas para fomentar el sentido de comunidad de los residentes. Las unidades residenciales están dispuestas en torno a un patio común, donde la vegetación ayudará a refrescar el microclima interior, manteniendo los niveles adecuados de temperatura y humedad para lograr el confort de los usuarios.

Vivir en Banyan Hub | Instalaciones comunes al aire libre para los residentes.

Haciendo un aparcamiento invisible
El Banyan Hub continuará sirviendo como garaje municipal para las necesidades de la ciudad, ya que su funcionamiento es crucial para la gestión del estacionamiento del centro de West Palm Beach. Sin embargo, el estacionamiento será completamente modernizado incorporando un Aparcamiento Robotizado. Con este sistema, se mantiene el número de plazas existentes pero ocupando únicamente ⅔ del volumen utilizado en la actualidad. Además, siendo la ambición del Banyan Hub convertirse en una pieza activa de la ciudad que proyecte su vida hacia el contexto urbano, se ha diseñado una solución específica para asegurar que los usos ubicados en fachada reflejan el dinamismo del edificio. Los 4 niveles de aparcamiento están ubicados en el corazón del edificio, siendo imperceptibles desde el exterior, rodeado en sus 4 lados por dos niveles de comercio y restauración conectados por un recorrido público que da calidad arquitectónica a este espacio.

Banyan Hub | Sección transversal y alzado nocturno en Olive Ave.     .

Acerca de la Community Redevelopment Agency de West Palm Beach
Creada en 1984 y autorizada por la Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act de 1969 (F.S. 163, Parte III), la CRA de West Palm Beach es reconocida a nivel nacional como una de las Agencias de Desarrollo Comunitario (CRA) más innovadoras y efectivas del país y está estableciendo el estándar para la reurbanización. El centro de la ciudad ha experimentado un renacimiento con una inversión privada sustancial, incluyendo el desarrollo comercial y residencial. La inversión pública asciende a millones de dólares, con la construcción de una biblioteca de última generación, la revitalización del histórico Sunset Lounge, la mejora infraestructural del paisaje urbano y un frente marítimo mejorado. La CRA continúa coordinándose con la Ciudad y otras agencias para revitalizar el centro de la ciudad.

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Unveiling the latest images of the Banyan Hub | A project for a new Hybrid Building in West Palm Beach, Florida

Category: ⚐ EN+ecosistema urbano+mixed-use building+sustainability+work in progress


After winning the international competition Shore to Core, commissioned by the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and organized by the Van Alen Institute in 2017, Ecosistema Urbano is developing several parts of the proposal, among them the visionary Banyan Hub building.

The Banyan Hub project arises from the intuition of the City of West Palm Beach and the CRA to transform the existing Banyan Garage, a car-devoted building from the 70s in the heart of the Downtown, into a new opportunity to activate the city, a hub for dozens of new activities for both residents and visitors.

Ecosistema Urbano has finalized the Schematic Design of the project that has been officially approved by the West Palm Beach City Commission on Oct. 22. The project will be further developed in the next months.

The Banyan Hub in the surrounding context of West Palm Beach.

A hybrid and flexible building open day and night
The Banyan Hub offers in a single building a wide range of different programs, from open and public spaces to reserved and private areas. The wide variety of possibilities that the building brings will have an important impact on the way of living in West Palm Beach Downtown. The programs collaborate with one another, creating a public facilities machine in which each part works separately, but all of them work together to offer the user a superb experience of public-private spaces. The program includes urban plazas, retail and catering, rooftop pavilion, YMCA, business hub, mobility hub, housing, and city support area.
Sustainability and bioclimatic design are key ingredients of the Banyan Hub, that is strongly characterized by its breathing façade, two courtyards, and multiple active and passive climatic devices.

Banyan Hub | A complex program building enveloped by a green permeable skin.

Urban bioclimatic plazas: expanding public space possibilities and multiplying them by 3
The public heart of the Banyan Hub beats on the three public plazas located on different levels:

  • A flexible and permeable plaza at ground level, with an open hall connected to the surrounding streets and to the rear passageway, that integrates retail, catering and several support spaces.

Banyan Hub | Ground Floor Plaza layout.

  • A covered open-air plaza at an intermediate level for temporary events, including spectacular features such as a digital interactive waterfall or a green courtyard, or local programs as the farmers market.

Enjoying urban life at Banyan Elevated Urban Plaza.     .

  • A top terrace, overlooking the lagoon offering a panoramic view of the unique Floridian natural environment and of the whole Downtown. The terrace accommodates a civic pavilion to host civic events (public meetings, projections, performances) as well as private events such as weddings.

Celebrating at the Banyan Hub Rooftop Terrace.

Interconnected public spaces
The three main public spaces will be connected to provide the experience of having a chameleonic journey through different environments. The Downtown is connected to the middle level elevated urban plaza through an exterior escalator that dynamizes the façade on Banyan Blvd., allowing to stop by the retail ring at the first two levels. From the elevated plaza, it will be possible to go up to the terrace using the breathtaking helical ramp around the green courtyard.

Banyan Hub Bioclimatic Design | A green living building.

A building green in the middle
Other uses in the central block of the building are the Business Hub and the YMCA, each of them occupying two levels. Both areas feature the presence of the central green courtyard, an open-air multi-level natural space that gives continuity to the landscaped urban plazas of the building. Moreover, the green courtyard has a relevant passive bioclimatic function as it would help to reduce temperatures by up to 5ºF and regulate ventilation, providing pleasant environmental conditions throughout the year while reducing environmental impact and management and operational costs.

Business Hub | Working at the Banyan Hub in close connection to nature.

A breathing skin
The façade acts as one of the main conditioning systems of the building, filtering the direct sunlight and regulating ventilation. It is formed by an array of individual elements that present a responsive behavior, autonomously sensing the climatic conditions and the needs of the building and changing their configuration. Protected by the external shading, there is a green buffer zone, mainly comprised of a permeable structure holding vegetation and supporting varied activities. This space acts as a second natural filter for light and breeze and contributes to the regulation of the internal temperature through evaporative cooling.

YMCA at Banyan Hub | Exterior running track at 113’ at Banyan YMCA.

YMCA at Banyan Hub | Swimming in the sky at Banyan YMCA.

Living overlooking the lagoon
The upper block of the building is dedicated to housing. The residential units face out to the exterior, enjoying privileged views of the city and the lagoon. A modular system allows for the combination of units of different sizes, ranging from 500 to 1500 sq.ft. Limited living spaces of micro-units are compensated by indoor and outdoor common facilities, specifically conceived to foster the sense of community of residents. Residential units are arranged around a shared courtyard, where vegetation will help to refresh the interior micro-climate, maintaining the appropriate temperature and humidity levels to achieve comfort for users.

Living at Banyan Hub | Outdoor common facilities for residents.

Banyan Hub | Cross section and night elevation in Olive Ave.     .

Making an invisible parking
The Banyan Hub will continue to serve as a municipal garage for the city’s needs, as its functioning is crucial to parking management of West Palm Beach Downtown. However, the parking will be completely upgraded using an Automated Parking System technology. With this system, the required 350 parking spots will occupy only the ⅔ of the volume currently used by the existing Banyan garage. Moreover, as the ambition of the Banyan Hub is to be an active piece of the city that projects its active life towards the surrounding context, a specific solution has been designed to ensure that the uses along the façades reflect the dynamism of the building. The 4 levels of parking are enclosed at the very core of the building, completely hidden from the outside; these are surrounded on 4 sides by two levels of retail and catering connected by a public corridor that gives architectural quality to this space while activates it.

About West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Created in 1984 and authorized by Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 (F.S. 163, Part III), the West Palm Beach CRA is nationally recognized as one of the most innovative and effective Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) in the country and is setting the standard for redevelopment. The downtown core has gone through a rebirth with substantial private investment including commercial and residential development. Public investment dollars total in the millions with a state-of-the-art library, revitalization of the historic Sunset Lounge, streetscape infrastructure, and an enhanced waterfront. The CRA continues to coordinate with the City and other agencies to market and revitalize the downtown.

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Turning alleyways into active pedestrian passages | Open Shore Project

Category: ⚐ EN+architecture+design+ecosistema urbano+urbanism+work in progress

Part of the Open Shore Project was to create a lively urban ecosystem nearby the shore of West Palm Beach, and one of the things that interested us the most was a dark and dirty alleyway near the Banyan Hub. When a city lacks public spaces, every corner, shore or even an alleyway can become a part of the urban ecosystem. These secondary narrow streets are unique opportunities for transformation.

This is how we proposed to activate this space:

The passageways

From Service Alleyways to Surprising Passageways

The alleyways will undergo a rapid activation process ranging from temporary interventions to the development of permanent structures and spaces to host new programs. Walkability, security, and comfort will be the first priorities to be addressed by means of active and passive climatic mitigation, new waste disposal and lighting systems, etc. Activities will disperse later into adjacent public spaces and buildings and these revamped ‘passageways’ will become thematic routes connecting different parts of the city. keep reading about the passageways!

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Banyan Hub: A new urban ecosystem for West Palm Beach | Open Shore Project

Category: ⚐ EN+architecture+design+ecosistema urbano+urbanism+work in progress

The Banyan garage is envisioned as a new beacon for activities in downtown. This hybrid and flexible building will be open to the public all day long and will be an active presence in the city, producing culture, knowledge, and goods, while attracting businesses, talent, and innovation with its attractions.

Its configuration allows many different uses to coexist, which also makes it flexible to permit future changes in use.

It is a permeable building, open, and accessible to all citizens, a true part of the city from the ground floor to the public roof terrace. Its bioclimatic design, based on a green permeable facade and two big thematic courtyards -natural and digital- will provide pleasant internal climate moderation throughout the year while reducing environmental impact and management costs.

The Banyan Hub is, not only tightly connected to the street: it takes the street and its energy inside and makes it one of its core features. Folding, twisting and ramping up towards the open terrace on the roof, this new kind of street provides a unique urban-like experience inside the building, but also retains many of the features of an ordinary street.

Section of Banyan Hub, an Urban Ecosistem in the Heart of West Palm Beach

Areas of the building will be open to the public at anytime. The building may be accessed by many modes of transportation such as pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, and light vehicles. It connects different uses along its path — from businesses to cultural spaces to public plazas.

Prioritizing public accessibility is integral in ensuring that this project has a landmark presence in West Palm Beach. Banyan Hub is envisioned as an urban ecosystem where users can satisfy their wants and needs without ever having to leave the building. Banyan Hub is sure to set the tone for the future of West Palm Beach as a collaborative, sustainable, and creative city.

The Banyan Hub includes a series of public spaces located at different levels connected by a re-envisioned parking ramp which provides access to different spaces and twists around the courtyards.  

+A flexible square at ground level which consists of an open hall connected to the surrounding streets and to the passageway at the back of the building.

+A covered but open air plaza at an intermediate level of the building, right where the two courtyards begin. This space is the heart of the Hub and plays a crucial role in its climatic conditioning and cultural activity. 

+A top terrace, overlooking the lagoon which offers a panoramic view of the natural environment and of the whole downtown. Relaxing and breezy like the decks of a cruise ship, it is and an ideal place to begin a stroll through the building and along the waterfront.

 

One of the most important qualities of a city is the ability to evolve by changing its uses and its physical configuration according to the needs of the society that lives in it. The Banyan Hub materializes these principles as it being conceived in a way in which changeability is the only constant. It will remain open to transformation by its managers and users, embracing evolution as a way to stay useful and relevant. This will be achieved by introducing changeable programs and spaces between fixed elements, and designing movable physical delimitations and reconfigurable technical infrastructure.

Change is the only constant

The rich mix of different uses in close proximity helps create situations where activities can complement and benefit each other. This also gives a special character to each part of the building, enabling interactions that would not take place in a conventional building.

In order to become the everbeating heart of West Palm Beach, Banyan Hub will include a diverse and complementary set of programs, balancing the type of activities, desired level of comfort, need for equipment, and profile of the participants throughout the day. The scale of the Hub allows the coexistence of various uses, bringing together diverse age groups, interests, and communities.

Management & Stakeholders

The Banyan Hub operational model could be developed as a public-private partnership. The main partners could be comprised of the City, private companies, non-profits, athletic associations, and other organizations. This would beg the creation of a managing board which would share the funding, ownership, and decision making responsibilities of the building.

This board would take care of the construction and later lease spaces and equipment to other urban stakeholders. It would also create working committees for logistics and maintenance, programming, communication, and participation. It would serve as a mediation entity between institutions, the general public, entrepreneurs, and other potential partners.