INSTANT DOWNTOWN

SOUTH WEST FACADE BY NIGHT

There are a couple important ingredients to create a sustainable and vibrant downtown in
Fargo. It needs to be well programmed, have a significant amount of inhabitants, quality
housing, a diverse range of civic space and commercial activities. It also needs good
pedestrian connections towards the river, the civic center and the library. All of this must be
conveniently accessible by car.

FARGO, USA 2010

an urban condensation strategy for Fargo
Programm: mixed use, offices, apartments, student housing,
retail, civic space, urban entertainment
Surface: 50000 m2

In order to vitalize the city center we have chosen a strategy of urban condensation: Instant
Downtown. We propose a fully programmed dense urban block which gives Fargo's downtown
an identifiable, mature skyline. At the same time we consider the scale and function of the
historical buildings with a shopping layer on Broadway. In addition, we boost the number of
downtown inhabitants, and create a one of kind elevated urban activity park. Separating the
shopping plaza and the urban activity deck we find 500 (public and private) parking spaces on
a continuous ramp fully integrated into the block. No more parking on street level, no more
ugly street front parking garages.

Client: Kilbourne Group

Website: http://www.kilbournegroup.com/

Whilst Broadway and the mall are more orientated towards shopping and retail, the roof of the
parking ramp doubles as an urban activity deck which consists out of five sloping levels. The
deck is programmed with playgrounds, sandboxes, greenery, an ice rink and a basketball
court. From this level nine towers and blocks between five and seventeen stories high are
accessed, combining a mix of offices, apartments and student housing. This guarantees round
the clock activity on the urban deck. Windows in a wind protecting wall around the deck frame
beautiful views towards the surrounding area.
Currently most downtown blocks in Fargo are 50% parking. Asphalt is the norm. We propose a
design which fully integrates parking into the urban program and creates space for street
orientated activity. An elevated continuous parking ramp is winding up the block and makes
parking an experience in itself. The triangular courtyards created by the parking scheme form
the basis of the layout of the shopping mall and the urban activity deck and define space for
escalators that connect these layers.

Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | studio@marcovermeulen.nl | www.marcovermeulen.nl

The relocation of the US Bank takes place at its original location, and integrates into the
layering of the building. Drive up ATMs will be located on the southeast corner of the block,
while customer service is prominently located on the second level, overlooking an interior
shopping plaza. Reserved employee and customer spaces in the parking layer ensure easy
access to customer service level, as well as additional office space located on the urban
activity deck.
The Instant Downtown strategy meets the needs of Fargo with a mixed use, condensed block
which fills the current void with a vibrant heart. The block creates an image of a lively
American downtown on an urban scale, while continuing and intensifying the activity on street
level.

--BIRDSEYE VIEW SHOWING THE GREEN PEDESTRIAN

CONNECTIONS TO THE RIVER AND THE CIVIC PARK/LIBRARY. IN
THE FRONT BROADWAY STREET.

--THE NEW SKYLINE RELATES TO THE THREE SCALES OF THE

CITY

Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | studio@marcovermeulen.nl | www.marcovermeulen.nl

--EXPLODED VIEW SHOWING THE LAYERING OF THE BUIDLING:

RETAIL - PARKING - URBAN ACTIVITY DECK
-RESIDENTIAL/OFFICES

--WINTERFUN ON THE URBAN ACTIVITY DECK. THE CONNECTION

TO THE PARKING GARAGE IS CLEARLY VISIBLE AS WELL AS THE
VIEW ON BROADWAY

--VIEW FROM THE PARKING RAMP TOWARDS THE URBAN

ACTIVITY DECK.

--FLOORPLANS OF THE SHOPPING PLAZA, A PARKING LAYER AND

THE URBAN ACTIVITY DECK.

Studio Marco Vermeulen | Maaskade 85 3071 NE Rotterdam | +31(0)102250030 | studio@marcovermeulen.nl | www.marcovermeulen.nl