Sunday, December 1, 2013

CalTrans meets the Mudflats


The Vicinity and Contour Plans give you an idea of the area of the Oakland Mudflats. The story starts      for most everyday in the East Bay and ends in San Francisco. It is a project located on the mudflats in Oakland and Emeryville, CA. It is meant to be a installation piece that brings CalTrans and the East Bay art community back together. While doing so, it provides inspiration for artists and a home for the lost landmarks of the mudflats sculptures which were torn down in the late 1980's.



An existing look at the historical landmarks and moments of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge Toll Plaza, and nearby Oakland Harbor. A section cut of the new integration of the Eastern span of the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge, and a water color showing the beginning, middle, and end.


The idea of a mental and physical escape can be equally as important when people are caught in traffic. For any project, it is important to identify the user and give clarity to their interests. 
Nearly 300,000 cars/day


Here is a look at the sculptures from the original Emeryville Mudflats. The proposed area for the new generation of mudflats sculptures is right off the toll plaza for everyone to see and interact with.


An alternate commuter route can be added so the existing toll plaza may be turned into a "mud-art" themed exit. The existing toll booths would be taken out and replaced with a chance to finally get to interact with bay mud.


I started brain-strorming what I and others in traffic have always wanted to do while being stuck on the freeway. Going to the bathroom, buying food and drinks, smoking, games for the kids. I diagramed the possibilities of a farmers market, or something like the street food while waiting at the Mexican Border in Tijuana, or a place where you could go to the bathroom and look at traffic.








Case Study's and Diagrams

fine arts garage. wsu. 2013

box office. pullman. 2013

stadium garage. wsu. 2013








Sketching Perspectives




grand entrance to the mudflats!




Mud Cleansing








Having fun in the mud! From its therapeutic touch to its hypnotic vibe, there are many fun times to be had while getting dirty.

Mud Installations








Claymation Movie


Getting Stuck in the Mud. A movie representing the system of social interactionism with the mudflats site along with the architectural installation nests. The sculptural formation happens with vernacular materials like "clay" which closely resembles mud in its physical limitations of body in design.

Integrated Plans


Site Plan of the existing toll plaza area, new commuter bypass route, and the new plan of a parking and a pedestrian pathway are integrated into the freeway.



Pointing out the pedestrian path that connects Oakland to the bridge, as well as across the freeway. The diagram shows the new parking island ribboned with mud, the possibilities of locations for building on the mudflats, and the new commuter lane.

The parking plan shows a long linear shower in between freeway lanes, capped by bathrooms equipped with lockers and changing areas. The plan removes the existing toll booths which are becoming obsolete due to high-tech cameras.


An elevation of the pedestrian bridge over the freeway, made of recycled shipping containers donated by the Oakland Harbor.



Sections of the showers





A Closer Look: Emeryville Mudflats Sculptures



















LETS BRING THEM BACK!