pedestrian experience: project for Vergueiro Street

Plan of sequence of open public spaces proposed

Sketch exploring how the built environment can influence our sense of enclosure

Sketch to study the different types of interaction between people and the built environment

Location plan – Vergueiro Street – São Paulo, Brazil

Preliminary studies plan

Plan (detail of area 1 – Viaduto Santa Generosa)

Illustrative perspective of area 1

Detail of a square proposed in area 1, with water features and an elevated passageway among trees

Illustrative perspective of the square proposed over Paraíso underground station – ventilation openings on the floor configure a remodelled terrain while not obstructing vision or passage

Plan (detail of area 2- Viaduto Beneficência Portuguesa)

Longitudinal section of a park proposed on a large underused area between Beneficência Portuguesa Viaduct and Santana do Paraíso Street

Access at two levels (Vergueiro St. and 23 de Maio Av.) through an open-air gallery created capitalising on the street level difference. This area could hold exhibitions associated with the adjacent cultural centre (Centro Cultural São Paulo)

Longitudinal section of Beneficência Portuguesa Viaduct (detail)

Vegetation and urban furniture proposed at Beneficência Portuguesa Viaduct (cross section)

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How are spaces designed for our cities experienced by people who walk through them? What kinds of sensations do they evoke? How to create pleasant, intriguing, compelling or even unexpected experiences in our every-day lives through the design of open public spaces?

These are a few of the questions that instigate me the most and that have driven the development of my graduation project in BA Architecture and Urbanism at University of São Paulo.

Starting off with a conceptual research to establish qualities inherent of a “place” —as opposed to merely a “space”— I have subsequently designed a sequence of public open areas along Vergueiro Street, in São Paulo. The project adopted a qualitative approach, focusing on the perception of open spaces by the pedestrian. Composition of landscape elements was thoroughly explored as a means of structuring the built environment: through vegetation, street furniture, sequence of spaces creating a sense of direction, emphasising interesting views, or suggesting new facilities for leisure and small businesses.

In this research and design exercise, urban and landscape design were explored as regeneration tools that can enable underused areas of the city to thrive with life again.

Beatriz Mickle

+ tutor: Silvio Macedo│co-tutor: Fábio Mariz

Final Graduation Project – FAU USP

2012