How to create a great place which act as a public space and promotes contemporaneous art? The subject of this competition of ideas is to reclaim a notoriously polluted site located near the Gowanus canal in Brooklyn district, New York City, USA. It stands between the aerial subway lines F and G and Smith Street on the west, and the Gowanus canal on the east.
The Gowanus Canal and the barges provided us inspiration to prolong the life of this waterway. We designed the project as a big harbor where the only boats are the artist’s living and working spaces designed as floating barges which can move apart and connect freely in the water so as to provide the artists and organizers a space they can modulate for exhibitions or more private creation lofts.
The Gowanus Canal and the barges provided us inspiration to prolong the life of this waterway. We designed the project as a big harbor where the only boats are the artist’s living and working spaces designed as floating barges which can move apart and connect freely in the water so as to provide the artists and organizers a space they can modulate for exhibitions or more private creation lofts.
Some islands are emerging, providing shared studios and public places. The outskirts holds the different workshops, coffee and the gallery designed as an entrance on the site.
This concept allows the site to be changing every time and so to attract attention of people, becoming a real famous public cultural place; linking past, present and future.
This concept allows the site to be changing every time and so to attract attention of people, becoming a real famous public cultural place; linking past, present and future.
[Bird view] As in a harbor, the artist boxes can move and attach to different docks. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Bird view] The project in its environment. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Modules] Form the four basic modules we get the liberty to do everything. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Modules] The different modules can be combine as wishes to answer the different needs. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Pedestrian view] The Museum marks the entrance of the site. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[View from the roof of the Bar] The modular architecture of the Artist's studios creates a 'Living Architecture". Every time people are coming to visit the site the arrangement is different. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Pedestrian view from the pier] The public can walk trhough all the site and so watch what the artists are doing. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Pedestrian view from the side alee] The site becomes a social place where people are going go meet each other or practice sport. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
[Pedestrian view from the other side of the Gowanus canal] The project keeps a strong link with the canal. (c) U.S SHarch Design Co. Ltd.
Key points
Location: New York City, USA
Site Area: 21320 m²
Floor Area: 8300 m²
Phase: Idea competition
Year: 2009
Agency : SHarch design Co., Ltd - Shenzhen [ sharch.net ]
Site Area: 21320 m²
Floor Area: 8300 m²
Phase: Idea competition
Year: 2009
Agency : SHarch design Co., Ltd - Shenzhen [ sharch.net ]
