Multi-family
Residential Development
Site
Design Analysis - Interconnection of
Pathways Movement of People
As part of the architectural team for this residential development,
MXD's role was to provide
the team with an urban design analysis of various design schemes.
One of the tools we used
was a computer program developed at the University of London by Dr.
Bill Hillier et. al. The
program was used to help us study the potential movement patterns
of people on and around
the site.
Scheme A
There
were several important factors in the analysis:
1)
The relationship of the dwelling layout to the
street;
2)
The relationship of the dwelling layout to the site internally;
and,
3)
The identification of potential isolated pockets and least traveled
areas.
All
three factors had implications for safety of the residents and for
the areas
surrounding the development.
Scheme B
We
analyzed three design schemes to assist the Design Team and the
Client in making an
informed decision on the best scheme. Decisions were made based on
good urban design
practices as well as sound economic
considerations.
The
lines generated by the computer program represent varying degrees
of intensity for
pathway connections. Red Lines being the most connected thus most
likely traveled and
Violet Lines being the least connected, thus most segregated and
least traveled.
Based
on our overall findings, Scheme B would have the most well
connected paths as a
townhouse scheme. However, Scheme A, which had more isolated access
points was selected
by the design team and client because of its more traditional
Atlanta multifamily housing form.