A Study on the Layout Patterns of Public Schools in Manhattan -Focused on Relationship between Manhattan Grid Plan and Open Space-

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze patterns of public school building layout types, open space and relationship with communities in the Manhattan grid plan. The study illustrates how building layout patterns of school facilities are influenced by societal demands in the urban grid environment. During the nineteenth century, the Island of Manhattan was transformed into a physical representation of the Cartesian coordinate system via the development of the grid street plan. In order to take advantage of streets as urban space, it is quite important to understand characteristics of communities and open space relationships between buildings and streets. Moreover, the strategic planning of schools’ outdoor space vitalizes public streets as a critical community anchor. This research reviews 118 Manhattan public schools and categorizes them by (1) building layout type, (2) site type, (3) circulation and public open space, which are the biggest factors that determine the layout patterns of the public schools in Manhattan. As a result of analysis, the layout patterns are classified into seven types : “ㅡ”, “L”, “ㄷ”, “ㅁ”, “H”, “T” and “other” type. Of these, “ㅡ” type and “L” type occur most frequently, because these configurations most flexibly fit into the limited grid-locked blocks, the various types of site & topography, and adapt most dynamically to the open spaces created by using avenues and streets. The ultimate objective of this study is to provide a case study for future efforts to plan open spaces for campuses that effectively utilize the streets in proximity.