Instructor: Pablo Moyano Fernández, Assistant Professor in Architecture

​

​

Current construction practice in the US uses predominantly disposable materials with short lifespan (30 to 50 years). Given the multiple benefits that concrete can deliver as a construction material such as longevity, availability, low maintenance and low cost, the material is optimal for outdoor applications offering robust and durable architectural and landscape elements.

CONCRETEscapes studio aimed to explore architectural applications of concrete for the design of a park along Deer Creek Greenway. In partnership with Great Rives Greenway (GRG) and DTLS, a local landscape architecture firm, students had the chance to interact with a number of key stakeholders throughout the design process. During this studio, students generated design concepts for the park. The challenge was to envision the role this park will play in the neighborhood, at the local scale, and in the larger context of the green way system at a regional scale. The goal was to utilize concrete construction technologies for the design of the park elements such as shade structures, canopies, screen panels, site furnishings, recreational structures, playscapes, functional art, retaining walls, hardscapes, and other ideas proposed by students. The site for the project is located at 3635 Big Bend Blvd. in the City of Webster Groves, and intended to become a Webster Groves city park. The 1.04 acres site is part of the Der Creek Greenway and connects with River Des Peres Greenway and a larger network of greenways across the St. Louis region. Students participated in scheduled meetings throughout the semester including GRG, DTLS and representatives of the city of Webster Groves to inform the design decisions while getting feedback from all parts involved.

During the semester students investigated and challenge the possibilities and limitations of concrete as a building material through speculative testing and innovative formwork techniques for project-specific design intentions. In person, hands-on sessions were dedicated to mold making and concrete cast. Through experimentation with analog and digitally fabricated geometries for mold making and casting different concrete mixes, students were able to elucidate the essence of the material, its properties and its architectural applications. The studio was partially funded by a $2,500 Faculty Teaching Development Award to cover expenses related to material costs for concrete casting and formwork making.

​

​

Students: 

Ty Blumberg

Sophia Chow
Sarah Cullinane,
Chloe Davis
Juliet Hess
Zack Kirsch
Anna Malinak
Nate Nelson
Orion Strayer
Ray Yanagita
Cici Yao

​

 

 

​