URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I: SUMMER-1996

Position statement

Strategy: The initial strategy of the project was to create small links between the zones of the downtown core that would unify the greater area and balance development between areas of rich potential and those that were not. These links were areas of social activity that acted as magnets to the surrounding communities. The idea was to connect these locations through a common language in architecture or the implication of directional movement to other locations on the site. By using this method of "acupuncture" architecture minimal disruption is done to the communities while an invisible line of connection is created that allows the user to understand without knowing.

Probes: The strategy of the probes were to connect unique and rich public spaces through the use of urban furniture and architectural interventions.

Probe 1: is located at the mouth of the Brooklyn bridge, which is the transition point between Adams street and the bridge itself. During the site construction its was revealed that Adams street was of importance yet virtually inaccessible by pedestrian. The significance of Adams is that it leads the communities of Manhattan directly in to the heart of Brooklyn Downtown. The Brooklyn bridge which is a public space in itself, allowed for pedestrian activity to flow into the city. By re appropriating land from Adams street a boulevard is created which offers community activities. Accessibility was a key issue, not merely physical but psychological as well. The park must appear to be accessible. This argument lead to the introduction of a redundant bridge structure which would connect one side of Adams to a cultural center on the other side. This connection brought in to play the issue of the image of Brooklyn.

Probe 2: is located at the corner of Furman street & Madagh which defines the mouth of the waterfront area . This site was selected because of its similarities in context to the Adams site yet also because of the contrast it had with the Adams site. (Where Adams is level Madagh is highly sectional. Where pedestrians are more dominate in Madagh the Adams site is the reverse.) The strategy for this site was to introduce Madagh as an important street for pedestrian activity. By using the links to gesture the movement of people into Madagh an intimate armature is created with the potential for commercial development at the human scale. On the Furman side of the street another cultural enclave is proposed as a jumping board for the development of the waterfront. The threshold between Madagh (which is actually 3 stories higher) and Furman is marked by an intervention which attempts to unify three radically different parks. This arrangement of parks which stand at the end of the Brooklyn promenade is also potential significant to the life of the greater Brooklyn Heights area.

Effects: The effects of the connection made by the probes is the introduction of movement and activity as well as a sense of belonging to that activity at all points along the line,. It is important to note that although the probes do encompass strategic locations along potentially highly developed areas, the purpose of them was not to create an all encompassing ideal or "Big Fix" , but to offer them as a series of catalyst to the new development of the region.



For drawings click here.