Viaduct structures traverse the site, creating elevated public and private spaces that use the formal language of Newark’s industrial heritage. On top of the structures sit the residence blocks, formed by shipping containers configured and adapted to provide a range of apartment sizes: studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Housing is provided for students and artists, with landscaped walkways and roof gardens.
Beneath the viaduct structure, community, live/work and commercial ground-level spaces are created at the street edge by the insertion of glazed infill panels. The ground level slopes across the site to provide enclosed and open green spaces of varying heights. The complex offers a mix of commercial and community facilities, including retail, artist studios and exhibition space, a daycare center, green market, community and health center.
The scheme encourages movement across the site, over, under and through the ramped viaduct, which touches down to meet the street level and at its upper level creates a visual connection to Newark’s existing infrastructure. The scheme mediates between the residual urban fabric and the existing transportation infrastructure of highway, suburban rail and light rail. A multiplicity of transportation alternatives is encouraged by providing clear, well-lit paths for walking and bike riding and by enhancing pedestrian access to the station. Parking is provided for shared cars only; visitor parking is provided on a limited basis; bicycle parking is ample; roof gardens insulate and shade; cylindrical wind turbines and solar panels provide alternative energy; a vision of the future urban condition emerges… |
