Charrette 2007.08.01 Solution 'A'

While most business studies would proponent large scale entertainment facilities next to or upon the river this plan calls for a smaller, ‘intimate’ venue to be placed within the river, submerging the floor in a ‘bathtub’ below the water line offering a rare and hopefully interesting way to interact with the Cuyahoga. -Dru McKeown

Charrette 2007.09.01

reDesign Cleveland Charrette 2007.09.01

location: Cleveland - basically all around the city.

intent: In order to bring the people greater choice in television viewing or internet capability or some such, SBC or ATT or whomever is placing gigantic above ground panels. Now, only some neighborhoods are getting this 'special treatment' and are lucky enough to have these gigantic humming metal boxes on their street corners.

Some may argue that these humungous boxes are eyesores, blocking views and interupting sightlines. Some may even argue that they block traffic views to crosswalks and could endanger pedestrians. I am sure most of these arguments pale in comparison to being able to watch all 42 channels of ESPN.

I also think that there is a great opprotunity here to do something with this canvas that has been handed to us. I understand the arguments about why these things should haven't been put in above ground and why they should have been placed in vaults however since it has become apparent that 'utilities' (how is cable television a utility? I always figured a utility was a necessity of sorts) can take over any city owned land they want in order to make their lives easier I think that the people of the city can take them back.

With this as a premise I suggest that this month's charrette center on what could be done to properly hide/decorate/show off these utility boxes. Think of this as a city beautification project.

submission form: Maximum of 2 800x600 pix) electronic images (jpg preferred) and 100 word max description.

deadline: 2007.09.30

registration fee: 2 calzones from Cleveland's Central Calzone District

prizes: all the fun bucks collected from last month's registration

judging: everyone is a winner

overall timeline:

2007.09.03 - Charrette release

2007.09.30 - Submission deadline

2007.10.07 - Submission posted online

Charrette 2007.07.01 Solution 'A'

While not at all configured within the 'project parameters' I couldn't resist re-'fungineering' the Euclid Corridor project and harnessing our massive dirigible knowledge to serve the public.

-Dru McKeown













-I know this submission was uploaded late. I took pity on it since TOIstudio flooded. (ed)

Charrette 2007.08.01

reDesign Cleveland Charrette 2007.08.01

location: Cleveland - Scranton Peninsula
intent: The Cuyahoga River plays a vital part in the history and image of the city of Cleveland and presents the potential for so many interesting interventions that usually are skipped over due to logistics/cost or taste. None of which are boundaries here.

With this in mind the August Charrette is for a small structure that shall interact with the river. Program can be a restaurant or bar or some other entertainment venue not to be enormous (like similar structures on the river) but with a scale that fits the site and the breadth of the Cuyahoga at the given location. The main problem to be explored is how to interact with the river in an interesting way and be mindful of the riparian rules and the need to maintain the river as a waterway for container vessels and personal craft.

submission form: Maximum of 2 (800x600 dpi) electronic images (jpeg preferred), 100 word max description.
deadline: 2007.07.31
registration fee: 1,000 fun bucks
prizes: Shotgun seat on the next road trip.
judging: Reserved for the Bratwurst festival in Bucyrus, Ohio

overall timeline:
2007 08.01 - Charrette release
2007 08.31 - Submission deadline
2007 09.07 - Submissions posted online

Charrette 2007.07.01

reDesign Cleveland Charrette 2007.07.01

location: Cleveland
intent: Summer rewards the urban traveler with a rather limited assortment of street stands. A far cry from the urban street markets of china which create exterior parks and street communities which foster interaction and greatly increase street vitality. This charrette will ignore the legal and licensing ramifications of creating a street stand for the city however you must play by a certain set of rules.

The stand can only take up 5'x5' when in use (but can utilize existing structures such as lamp posts etc to open up) and must be able to close up itself (for security) and provide a public amenity in it's 'stored' position while ideally taking up half the space as when open. You must also decide what your stall should sell. Pay no attention to market trends or logistics, just create something to fill your heart with joy.

submission form: Maximum of 2 (800x600 dpi) electronic images (jpeg preferred), 100 word max description.
deadline: 2007.07.31
registration fee: Free to a good home
prizes: The joy of creation
judging: My mom says you are all pretty

overall timeline:
2007 07.02 - Charrette release
2007 07.31 - Submission deadline
2007 08.07 - Submissions posted online