This design proposal seeks to define the Newark site as a vibrant neighborhood. Wholeness and fluidity is created where the six buildings, the glass bridge, streets, sidewalks, pathways and transportations hubs become interconnected. These buildings are treated differently but proportioned to work along the existing street, as well as the new interior walkways and streets.
The containers are used in several ways; as entire shells, skeletal steel frames, half-shells, and as a skin material cladding the building.
The site is divided into public and semi-private spaces with a two-level retail space - Westinghouse Board Street Center. This retail structure is designed as transparent as possible by using the skeletal steel frame of the container and cladding it with glass, allowing for exterior and interior views. A circular plaza opens to the Light Rail and the Newark Board Street Station. It can be transformed to bring the community together and the space works well for events such as a Farmers Market, petting farm, concerts or even a traveling circus.
Walking paths lined with trees and retail stores provide spaces for local businesses and residential spaces. Residential complexes, set back from the streets, are surrounded by tree-lined courtyards. A Museum, water features, and tensile fabric structures resembling ships sails are also incorporated in the design. Water ball fountains along Lackawanna Lane acts as a sound buffer from the transportation noises.
The overall design provides a multi-family mixed-used complex where people will return again and again for inspiration and interactions within a renewed Newark community. |
