Architect: Kurt A. Pollock
Project Status: Concept Development Phase
Project Focus: Amalgama of Public Conveyances
Project Statment: Modernization of transportation in the urban context of historical Basseterre into a hub of multiple public conveyances including buses, taxis, trains, ferries and bikes with emphasis on resolutions to critical environmental issues, the implementation of sustainable solutions and the facility’s adaptability to the projected economic and population growth.
Facility Statement: The integration of conveyances can deliver convenience and a safer more reliable and economical circulation of people and traffic.
Context Statement: The newly built forms will exploit the existing circulation and environmental conditions and add to the landscape by providing conve-
nience for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Project Scope: A complete overhaul of the Basseterre Bay Road bus and ferry terminals, reclamation of land and implementation of flood and erosion preventative measures. Rehabilitation of exsisting access roads and paths to accomodate more traffic. Demolition of existing structures where necessary to facilitate a new 2.66 km (1.65 mi) long underground tunnel which emerges to connect via rail to the Scenic Railway station and the RLB International Airport. The resulting 32,000 square meters of land will be used to develop the transportation hub.
Details are subject to change as the project is in its concept stage of development.
Basseterre City Bay Road Bus and Ferry Terminal
The Bay Road bus and ferry terminal in Basseterre City Saint Kitts is a bustling atmosphere of both tourist and native islanders. It was the base chosen for this particular design project.
For many years and with much inconvenience this area has done well to provide these modes of transportation for the country. However as this country’s steady developing economy continues to see changes in population growth, energy consumption and climate conditions the need for more a efficient, convenient and reliable means of transportation grows. Because of the conditions of the site it might not be convincing at first glance to use it as the base for a hub. But it is in fact the most ideal location for a hub. Here’s why I think so…
Architecture should not disregard its environmental conditions. Rather architectural forms should be influenced by the natural environment and play a role in environmental care encouraging it to thrive evolve and become sustainable. Thus determining how well architecture exists within its context.
For this project I will be focusing on the modernization of transportation in the context of historical Basseterre into a hub of multiple conveyances including buses, taxis, trains and bikes etc.
1. Resolutions to critical environmental context issues,
2. The implementation of sustainable solutions,
3. The facility’s adaptability to the projected economic and population growth.
The following two diagrams Illustrate what is considered the most critical conditions of the site.
These colors mark every 3 meter ground elevation from sea level. As you can see the site (outlined in red) exists well within the range of 0-3 meters above sea level.
Moreover, there exists two major ravines namely College Street and Westbourne which bring a swell of rain water rushing down from the hills. These ravines can sever the circulation of both pedestrians and vehicular traffic in the event of a storm or heavy rainfall.
The image of the Westbourne ravine were taken only 30 minutes apart. This illustruates the sivierity of the situation. This constant rush of water tends to erode the coast line ever so slowly.
Bay Road near Basseterre City Bus and Ferry Terminal looking West after Hurricane Maria 2017
Bay Road looking East toward Basseterre City Bus and Ferry Terminal after Hurricane Maria 2017
The images above were taken in the hurricane season of the year 2017 after hurricane Maria hugged the southern coast of the island. There is a road beneath the sand that was washed up by the strong wind. This road provides access to the site from the west. The bus and ferry terminal operations become temporarily crippled in these conditions.
So when beginning to conceptualize in the first phase of the design development the first instinct was to raise elevation of the land in an effort to lessen the possibility of any future flooding of the area.
A portion of land was also reclaimed and with the implementation of infrastructure and drainage solutions my aim is to allow the ravine rain water to run beneath the surface of the road allowing traffic to not become encumbered. This is also is in effort to lessen the effects of the soil being eroded onto or near the site.
Should this system fail, as a secondary measure the water will be guided along a the surface of the new roads until it meets the with sea.
Basseterre city’s roads are historically narrow and it is not a cyclist friendly environment so a great deal of consideration was given to the width of roads and sidewalks in and around the site.
There aren’t many trees that fall within the site boundary. The natural ecology in this context has also suffered damage from storms.
The Brown Pellican – National Bird of Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Pellican which so happens to be the countries national bird flocks to the shores near the site and can be seen diving for fish.
So naturally when the building masses were defined a portion of the site was also defined as a park area in an effort to restore the sites ecology. This park will feature tress of the same type that exists around the site and the roads near these highlighted sidewalks are now 10m in width allowing large vehicular traffic to maneuver more easily. As illustrated the definition of the mass based on the interior space requirements. And the proposed exterior park area.
At this point the masses are divide into spaces defined by the operations of the facility. Waiting areas will be on the first floor and food & beverages on the second. Circulation of public buses in and out of the site was critical in this step.
First Floor Bubble Diagram
Second Floor Bubble Diagram
Establishing a central circulation helps to separate staff occupied spaces from public spaces and their sub spaces.
The light blue represents the spaces for ferry operations. The green represents the public bus operations and waiting areas. The blue represents administrative areas. The purple represent retails, bars, restaurants and cafes etc. which would have the advantage of taking in views around the site from the elevation of the second floor level.
There are a few nodes near the site, one of which is near a historical landmark museum.
And the urban fabric around the site suggest that the facility should compliment the mass of the existing commercial buildings which surround it.
So in my efforts to do so I’ve connected the site to existing nodes in effect creating a new urban space for people gather and socialize in the park area. Individuals can now transition to the site trough the park area.
And the volume and the building was reduced and reshaped organically conforming to its confines. It gives more of the appearance of 4 structures connected via bridges rather than one huge structure. The curved walls may reduce the resistance needed in strong windy conditions.
The Caribbean has no shortage of sunlight. Throughout the year the sun may dip to a vertical angle of 49 degrees to the south. Yet there will be plenty of sunlight to make use of and temeratures may be uncomfortably hot.
(Summer Solstace Shadows June 21st 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00)
(Winter Solstace Shadows Dec 22nd 7:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, 17:00)
The buildings surrounding the site aren’t particularly tall so during the hot summer and the warm winter the facility will be able to optimally capture the sun’s light for engery as the site will barely become overshadowed by nearby buildings.
With the implementation of some sustainable measures the facility will also take advantage of the sun’s natural light in the interior spaces as atriums (illustrated above in light green) will open at the roof level to allow the sun’s light to pour though.
In addition there will be a green roof which will help to offset energy costs by acting as thermal insulation while also adding to the preservation of the ecology in the site surroundings.
Concept Current Phase North- Eastern Aerial View Looking South-West
Concept Current Phase West Aerial View Looking East
Concept Current Phase South-East Aerial View Looking North-West
The next phase of the design will focus on:
The accessibility of the green roof. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use this space for recreational purposes.
The underground rail beneath the northern structure which connects to the scenic railway near the RLB International Airport.
Also the aesthetics of the façade and other architectural elements to allow the structure to blend in more with colonial style architecture which surrounds it.
Other sustainable aspects of the design. Such as energy generation storage and distribution.
This design will encourage individuals to transition to the use of electric cars for transportation as it will include areas where members of the public who own electric cars can use to charge their vehicles for zero economic cost. This will be the first of any public facility on the island to have this capability.
Following this I will be focusing on the restoration of the bay road which provides access to the site from the west. There will be an expansion into the sea reinforcing the coast and preventing the western road access from sustaining critical damage during storms. Also this expansion will provide new green spaces where pedestrian passerbys can stop relax and take in views of the water front activities of the Caribbean Sea and the ecology of the site surroundings can thrive.
Basseterre City Bay Road Bus and Ferry Terminal
Bay Road near Basseterre City Bus and Ferry Terminal looking West after Hurricane Maria 2017
Bay Road looking East toward Basseterre City Bus and Ferry Terminal after Hurricane Maria 2017
Architectural forms should be influenced by the natural environment for the environments care. Architect: Kurt A. Pollock Project Status: Concept Development Phase Project Focus: Amalgama of Public Conveyances Project Statment:
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