Tag Archives: levels

The Loaded City

The DUMBO area, like every city, is divided sectionally into multiple zones of inhabitance. These are the underground- defined by transportation like subways and tunnels- the ground level that can be characterized as fast-paced, commercial use and area of the most activity, and the zone above the ground of which we no longer relate to the streetscape. This project realizes these distinctions and incorporates these levels creating a loaded city where these zones exist in harmony with each other.

Twisting the building form into an S-shape allows for views into areas of program that would normally be separated by virtue of height and creates two interior courtyards that connect the two busiest intersections around the site. Along the exterior of the S, a bikepath extends from the ground plane at each intersection which allows for movement through the site in a unique loop. As a pedestrian pathway it also works to allow for exploration of the multi-level building. This pathway incorporates various green spaces and areas of communal meeting.

We began by shuffling the program and mixing up the layers of a traditional city. For instance, the housing that is at the top level of the building, resembles a set of row homes, which have been elevated effectively bringing the ground plane of a city to a new level. Doing this gives us several advantages, one being the incorporation of a front and backyard- something usually not allowed for with a traditional rowhome.

Other areas of program still exist within their respective realms. The market place takes up the entirety of the first floor along Jay Street. This is because a commercial presence was still important to engage pedestrians. ­

The DUMBO area is defined by its strong presence of art and culture. The area was had originally been a strong factory based community that revolved around industry, but more recently it has taken a turn towards the arts. With this in mind, the center of our ‘loaded city’ becomes the theatre; the aspect of program that we believe embodies the culture of DUMBO. The theatre is pushed into the ground which opens up the plazas to each other and allows for the roof of the theatre to act as an outdoor amphitheater in the summer months. This provides access to both plazas and creates an interaction between the two very different areas. Above this, the bikepath floats as a thin plane bridging the two sides and connecting the stepped buildings elegantly. By nature the theatre is a blocky, stereotomic object. However in this instance it has been molded in a way that makes it tectonic and allows for views to be maintained between the two plazas.

The Loaded City

The DUMBO area, like every city, is divided sectionally into multiple zones of inhabitance. These are the underground- defined by transportation like subways and tunnels- the ground level that can be characterized as fast-paced, commercial use and area of the most activity, and the zone above the ground of which we no longer relate to the streetscape. This project realizes these distinctions and incorporates these levels creating a loaded city where these zones exist in harmony with each other. Continue reading The Loaded City