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urban architectural design.
by donald dusinberre    imartsyfartsy@gmail.com

      Streetlights, trees and parks in the city aren’t just a result of circumstance; they are (hopefully) carefully planned out by architects and civil engineers. Architectural design and civil engineering are of the utmost importance when creating and revising an urban landscape, especially in the days ahead, when physical space will become increasingly limited and valuable.

      Many factors are considered when producing an urban design. The world is fast becoming more diverse and crowded, so it becomes more and more important to consider the space we have, who might occupy it, and how it will be best used.

      Here in Jacksonville, we have a number of specific design elements to consider, including the greater community and the river that runs through it. It is important that we always consider what we have and what we need to make Jacksonville more beautiful and functional. One of the major players in developing Jacksonville’s urban design is TTV Architects, Inc. They have been responsible for many urban design projects over the last several years, and they are involved with all kinds of architecture design- residential, commercial and institutional.

      Sometimes, even the pure structural elements of a bridge or building can be beautiful, and all that is needed is to accent it. Our city’s bridges are a good example. Just before the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, the city set out to illuminate the downtown bridges to make them stand out and shine. The result, designed by TTV Architects, is a dazzling display that beautifies the bridges’ structures and highlights our area’s most precious natural resource, the St. Johns River.

      When I came to speak to Tri Vu, President and founder of TTV Architects, he was a bit disappointed that I wanted to know about the bridge lights. “That’s old news,” he said.

      What he was most excited about was a new project he has been developing for the Jacksonville Zoo. It’s an Asian Bamboo Garden, and it will be a place of serenity and beauty within the Zoo. Featuring a pavilion and bridge, the Asian Bamboo Garden will highlight aspects of many Asian cultures, from Korea to China to Japan. The purpose of the Garden is to recognize Asian culture and invite everyone to enjoy it. The pavilion will be open to the public as well as home to special events.

      In addition, he talked at length about how Jacksonville needed to create specific areas of culture, just as New York and Chicago do. He felt that the Asian Bamboo Garden would be a good model for larger-scale projects around the city in the future. It’s true: Jacksonville is getting big enough to support multiple cultural centers and entertainment zones where all residents can become immersed in that area’s amenities and style.

      Vu was right to direct our conversation toward his new project. Urban designers must always be looking forward, working toward improving what exists in order to accommodate present and future needs. To learn more about TTV Architects, Inc. and their contributions to our city’s urban landscape, visit ttvarch.com.

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