The Albany Bulb

Site design

UC Berkeley CED [IN]land │Summer 2019

Located on the east bay shoreline in the San Francisco Bay, The Albany Bulb is the site of a decommissioned construction debris landfill. Yet, it is this history that gives The Bulb its unique character. Large concrete blocks and other construction debris, taken over by vegetation, make up the vast majority of The Bulb’s current landscape. This debris creates a sense of caution while traversing the site, but it is this same debris that many artists use as a blank canvas. The steep slopes bring wariness to mind, but it is these slopes that create incredible vistas and views that can calm the mind. The Bulb balances these contrasts of hard and soft, dull and sharp, playfulness and danger, steep and flat.

The design immerses the user in the dramatic contrasts of the Albany Bulb, embraces the alter-ability of the site and incorporates sustainable practices. The design is composed of one main accessible path that incorporates three platforms located in areas with the best views on site. Along this path, the user experiences the contrasts that make The Bulb unique.

Denseness / openness

Safe / dangerous

Steep / flat

Hard / soft

The Blub draws in locals and artists because of its uniqueness. Many artists use the construction debris as material for an art piece. This causes one person’s art to become another person’s material. This characteristic makes The Blub highly dynami… — The Blub draws in locals and artists because of its uniqueness. Many artists use the construction debris as material for an art piece. This causes one person’s art to become another person’s material. This characteristic makes The Blub highly dynamic and ever-changing. The design preserves this unique aspect of The Bulb.

During the second site visit a triangulation was made by hand. Each point represents a unique landmark on the site. A bounding box was placed around the triangulation and this became the site on which the design intervention would take place.