Jesse Hirakawa

Explorations and Thoughts Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation M.S. Architecture and Urban Design Student

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test post! :]

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Urban Infrastructure

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Today, that place where man and nature are in closest harmony in the city is the cemetery

Ian L. McHarg

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The place of nature in the metropolis would be reflected in the distribution of water and flood plain, marshes, ridges, forests, and farm land... this conception is still too bald; it should be elaborated to include areas of important scenic value, recreational potential, areas of ecological, botanical, geological, or historic interest.

Ian L. McHarg

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Super cut assignment and my interpretation of commute. I used to relate a commute to traffic and being stuck in a car. Now it's almost like a nightmare. I can wake up and be free of the burden of driving.

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I decided to turn my interview assignment into a promotional video for the Career Services Center. I realized there were a lot of students that still don’t understand or even really know what the career center is or does, so that’s what inspired me to go in this direction.

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Experience on Broadway

This is "Experience on Broadway" by Jesse Hirakawa on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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Process process process...

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Strangers. dance partners. strangers.

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A process/progress of my cognitive map of my experiences along Broadway.

A quote I enjoyed from one of the readings this week about representing urban sites, in Defining Urban Sites from Andrew Kahn, “Not depicting reality but about making knowledge”

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As we transition south along Broadway there are different types of barriers that help enforce an edge. I've noticed that as broadway gets closer to Columbus circle there is a shift in priority to what types of objects are along the public right of way. North of 79th tends to prioritize trees and the attempt of beautification. As we transcend south, the trees begin to be set further from the street. While only public signs and the addition of planting pots start to prioritize as we get closer to the Lincoln Center/Columbus Circle. Is there a reason to why the streetscape changes as we progress south/north? Is it a shift in priority?

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@Broadway & West 107th - Straus Park

I was pleasantly surprised when heading southbound on Broadway and noticed a corridor of a landscape oasis. This is where Broadway splits off (or joins) West End Ave. and the placement of this park seems to be a successful design solution to the junction of two major vehicular roads.

This park could be referenced to as a ‘Node’ as Kevin Lynch describes in his book ‘The Image of the City’ as a strategic place where one could enter and is typically at a junction of some sorts. This junction or break in transportation is a compelling place for the urban dweller. With such drastically tall buildings and a change in direction of the road, having taller streets trees fill up the vertical space helps ease this transition.

Once inside, there is a visual softness to what your eye has to do. We are given shelter from the sun and and heat, this place can become a destination for people. The image with three individuals sharing a space caused me to chuckle a bit when I was walking around. Not sure if you can share the same chuckle as I can, but I had to take a shot of the human interaction going on.

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The social and physical boundaries that have been designed for the human-needs are being consistently challenged. Even though I have only been in New York for a few days, I have found myself assimilating to these social norms of taking it upon myself to decide when I can or cannot go places. Is it the idea that New York is all hustle and bustle so there is no time to wait for the little man to let us go? Or is it the fact that everybody else is crossing... so why not cross too? Or maybe no one gives a shit, 'careless'

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You're not here because your mom told you to get a Master's degree. You're here because you want to, so make the best of your education.

Kate Orff