ESTABLISHING A NODE.
Global dependency on the automobile is an increasing concern related to a plethora of issues. These issues include: green space consumption, peak oil, biodiversity, sense of community and place. Additionally, automobile dependency contributes to: toxic environments, economic struggles, and obesity epidemics. Our world is now dependent on finding solutions for these issues.
The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world's most complex problems. "NODE", a bicycle transportation facility, aids the increase of bicycle commuting in cities, regardless of the extend of the city's bicycle infrastructure.
The goal is to support existing networks of cyclists in cities which are doing well in regards to alternative transportation, and to encourage and empower individuals in cities where cycling and alternative means of transportation are not prevalent. This can be accomplished by designing buildings which meet the needs of cyclists, and locating them at multiple nodes across the landscape: creating an invisible infrastructure plus a tangible network of cyclists.
Bike Parking, Bike Repair, Bike Share, Car Share, Storage, Cafe (Bikers + Sit-Down), Showers, Mapping and Routing.
USER TRANSPORTATION SCENARIOS
Between place of residence, proposed facility and destination.
BUILDING SITE IN RELATION TO LIGHT RAIL & BUS
Atlanta, Georgia.
CREATING A NETWORK OF PARTS.
CONCEPTUAL THINKING
The parts of a bicycle work together to allow physical motion, while a network of bicycles can work together to create a metaphysical movement.
This network of parts can be best visualized as a mesh network, where each individual user acts as a piece of information or data traveling along a path between nodes. The facility operates as a singular node in which the data is not only passed through, but also propagated. Thus, it may be inferred that the facility acts as a catalyst for change by sending out information that promotes its over-all goal, initiating a transformation at the individual and communal levels. Mesh networks also are self-healing due to their multiple connection points and therefore are resilient to damage, symbolizing the power and ability of the proposed facility to adapt to upcoming circumstances and future growth. While the actions of this form of transportation are reliant on physical boundaries, the messages these actions send transcend them.
LOBBY
Displaying information, mapping, ramp to parking, and partial fuel cafe.
FUEL CAFE
Cyclists self-serve
Parking for members only with exclusive mapping feature.
