WYE LINE by Frank E. DeBolt IV

Frank Ernest DeBolt IV AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C

Metals in Construction Magazine 2019 Design Challenge Competition Entry Submitted February 1, 2019 Results announced February 22, 2019

Wye Line New York, New York Role: Design Core Team Firm: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

DESIGN STATEMENT The Wye Line explores what happens when an urban pathway seeks to be more than a footpath through the city, but instead begins to create a multidimensional blur between people and the environment, technology and humanity, the ground and the sky. Taking inspiration from the rhythm and movement of the railyard, the design seeks to stitch together the historical context of the site with the present development and future opportunities, redefining the idea of “transit” or the moving of something from one place (history) to another (future). Focusing on the individual user experience, as well as the impact on the community and existing streetscape, the Wye line creates a multi-layered opportunity, that lifts the pedestrian off the ground and offers them a choice of simplicity, recreation, or revolutionary experience, while simultaneously invigorating street life. PATH This weaving together of three pathsBUScreates a striking contrast againstHUDSON the regimented city grid below and responds to the OPTIONS PATH START/END POINT DEPOT YARDS SUBWAY STATION REVITALIZATION AREA A B LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS C observation that people move at different speeds and with different intentions. PATH OPTIONS

PATH START/END POINT

PATH OPTIONS

PATH START/END POINT

PATH OPTIONS

PATH START/END POINT

A A

BUS DEPOT

B B

BUS DEPOT BUS DEPOT

LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS

LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS

C C

HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION

REVITALIZATION AREA

HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION

REVITALIZATION AREA

HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION

REVITALIZATION AREA

W 34TH STREET W 34TH STREET W 34TH STREET W 33RD STREET

W 34TH STREET W 33RD STREET W 32ND STREET W 33RD STREET

MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL

C C SHEDC

SHED

B B

SHED SHED

W STREET 32ND STREET W 33RD

MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL

W 31ST STREET W 32ND STREET W 32ND STREET W 31ST STREET W 30TH STREET W 31ST STREET W 31ST W STREET 30TH STREET

A A

W 29TH STREET W 30TH STREET

7TH AVENUE 7TH AVENUE

8TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE

9TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE

10TH10TH AVENUE AVENUE 10TH AVENUE 10TH AVENUE

PATH ANALYSIS

11TH11TH AVENUE AVENUE 11TH AVENUE 11TH AVENUE

W 30TH STREET W 29TH STREET W 29TH STREET W 29TH STREET

W 34TH STREET

W 33RD STREET

W 32ND STREET

MANHATTAN

W 31ST STREET

THE WYE LINE

W 30TH STREET

H AVENUE

INSPRIRATION

TH AVENUE

W 29TH STREET

TH AVENUE

WYE · noun: where two rail lines join, often between a railroad’s mainline and a spur, wyes can be used as a junction to allow travel in either direction or in order to allow individuals to pass from one line to another.

CONTEXT

CONCEPT COMMUTER PATH

SKY PATH

GARDEN PATH

GROUND LEVEL

Intended to be the most simple and direct path between Moynihan Station and Hudson Yard, the Commuter Path is the largest path. Designed to not only accommodate heavy traffic, the PaveGen pavers actually harness and store electricity generated from the footsteps, creating a regenerative asset for the community. Careful consideration was given to how the path would be seen from underneath; the solution is polished stainless steel and glass, to be reflective to the surrounding vibrant cityscape and transparent enough to allow light to pass through.

The Garden Path, suspended above the Commuter Path, embodies the idea of movement for recreation, rejuvenation and respite. Its free form implies that it’s a place to stroll, be in nature and enjoy the journey. The warmer materials, along with plants and trees, connect the user to nature and create a “park in the sky” experience. Glass is also used on the bottom of this path to allow for light to filter through.

To meet the objective of spanning the street activity with minimal disruption or supports, the first two paths are suspended from a structure designed to evoke the movement and rhythm of a rail line. This structure itself forms the third path, a Sky Path that creates a revolutionary experience of walking between the skyline and seeing the city at a perspective like no other. The perforated, illuminated metal railings and cladding, along with openings at peak elevations, allow the user to see, walk through and be a part of unprecedented views of the city.

All of the new activity above and surrounding the Wye Line will filter onto the sidewalks and common areas below, activating the streets at ground level. An important component of the Wye Line is the redevelopment opportunities it offers the currently underutilized corridors it is proposed to occupy (a main reason its specific pathway was chosen to be where it is). On this note, a new park and green area is proposed along the Wye Line at ground level, along the north side of 30th Street between

the Lincoln Tunnel Access Roads and 9th Ave. This park offers new community-gathering opportunities, and directly connects with and interacts with the paths above. This is the Wye Line’s main “touchdown” point between Moynihan Station and Hudson Yards’ Shed, where the complete environment can come alive all times of the day, and especially on weekends when Farmers Markets or holiday kiosks, and other year-round artisan activities can take over the park space.

PATH LAYERS

SKY PATH GARDEN PATH COMMUTER PATH GROUND LEVEL CONCEPT STUDY

CIRCULATION MANHATTAN WEST HUDSON YARDS MOYNIHAN STATION

THE SHED

OVERALL CIRCULATION ELEVATION

HUDSON YARDS

31 ST ST SECTION 2

THE SHED

SECTION 1

30 TH ST

SITE PLAN

SITE CIRCULATION SECTION 1

MOYNIHAN STATION

SITE CIRCULATION SECTION 2

8 TH AVE

11 TH AVE

10 TH AVE

9 TH AVE

MANHATTAN WEST

STRUCTURAL CONCEPT

STRUCTURE Beginning as a form pleasing to the eye, the structure of the Wye Line creates a widesweeping macro scale gesture that serves as a complimentary visual juxtaposition to the nearby horizontal High Line. The structure is a unique approach on a historic form, the Arch. Where a typical arch lives in a vertical two-dimensional plane, the Wye Line arch is three dimensional, with the supports living in offset planes. Shifting the supports horizontally across a city LOADING WYE ARCH block creates weak axis moment in the upper sections. To respond to this added demand the design responds with a wider section, creating a stronger cross section. Structurally, the arch LOADING OF TRADITIONAL ARCH was selected to carry the Wye line because of its excellent load carrying capacity for span to rise, light weight construction and to mitigate column interruptions to the cityscape.

WEAK AXIS MOMENT ISOMETRIC DIAGRAM GROUND REACTIONS AXIAL LOADS MOMENT - WEAK AXIS

GROUND REACTIONS AXIAL LOADS MOMENT -- WEAK AXIS

LOADING WYE ARCH

LOADING OF TRADITIONAL ARCH

TRADITIONAL ARCH

The result is a striking visual bridge of shade and shadow, form and function, that much like the city below it, changes throughout the day, month and year. The iconic curving evokes curiosity of where it ends and entices walkers to experience the paths and streets below. PLAN

TRADITIONAL ARCH

ISOMETRIC RENDERING

SECTION

WYE STRUCTURE

1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH

MATERIAL | STRUCTURE

1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH

DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS STAINLESS 1" STEELWITH PLATE GIRDER STEEL EDGING BRONZE FINISH SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS

1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH

DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS

SKY PATH

Steel rails set at multiples of the rail module of 4’-8 1/2” between rails. The flowing lines much like the path itself reflect that of the train lines found below the street level.

4 7

1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH

50’-0”

Concrete pavers for resiliency and durability align with the stone base of the railroad ballast layers. Glass allows light to find itself to the layers below. Green areas to connect to nature.

PATTERN

150’-0”

GARDEN PATH

DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS

PAVERS

DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS

BOX GIRDER Concrete pavers for resiliency and durability align with the stone base of the railroad ballast and moorum layers. BALLAST SHOULDER

BALLAST SHOULDER

4' 4' - 8 1/2"

8 1/2"

DESIGN MODULE DESIGN MODULE

BALLAST SHOULDER

4' - 8 1/2" DESIGN MODULE

BALLAST SHOULDER

CROSS STRUCTURE & CABLES 4' - 8 1/2"

DESIGN MODULE

BALLAST BASE

These cross members connect the girders much in the way the sleepers connect and serve as a base for the rails. FORMATION WIDTH

BALLAST BASE

FORMATION WIDTH

BALLAST BASE

FORMATION WIDTH

BALLAST BASE

COMMUTER PATH

25’-0” PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE (logo to be gray 128-128-128))

DEBO path sections 01/25/19

PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE (logo to be gray 128-128-128))

SHELL / SKIN These metal shells or skin are polished mirrored steel that borrow form from the subway car while providing a reflective surface to reflect the urban context that changes as you move along the paths BALLAST SHOULDER

MATERIAL LEGEND PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE - 1” steel plate box girder (logo to be gray11128-128-128)) 2 - frosted glass walking surface 2 OR PROJECT NAME LOGO HERE (logo to be gray33128-128-128)) - bronze shell - subway token

FORMATION WIDTH

4' - 8 1/2"

DEBO path sections 44 - 4” braided steel cable - four 7-wire strands

well with mirror finish to reflect light sections 5 66 - concrete paver with steel inlay

01/25/19 5 - light DEBO path 01/25/19

DEBO path sections

DESIGN MODULE

77 - rainwater harvesting system 88 - Pavegen energy capturing pavers 99 - polished stainless steel - mirror finish BALLAST BASE FORMATION WIDTH

SUSTAINABILITY

RAINWATER HARVESTING RAINWATER DATA RAINWATER HARVEST

Rainwater collection integrated into edge of the paving system. Potential Rainwater collection 2,126 cubic feet per day RAINWATER HARVEST ILLUMINATION

ENERGY PRODUCTION ENERGY DATA Pavegen Pavers at commuter path 28kwh per day PV Canopy on 283kwh per day PAVERS (PAVEGEN)

KIOSK INFO PANEL

Net Zero Enough energy to power use

KIOSK DATA Time Weather Traffic volumes Train times Sustainability Data User travels per day Energy generated Rainwater collected Free WIFI Phone charging News and Sports Event calendar Daily fitness challenge

WELLNESS

ACTIVE DESIGN:

BIOPHILIA: GREEN GARDEN WAVES

WELLNESS: In the midst of an urban concrete jungle, connecting to nature is vital to human health and wellness. BIOPHILIC DESIGN elements incorporated throughout the Wye Line address this basic human need. The Garden Path’s plants and natural elements immediately elevate one’s serotonin and dopamine and thus, their state of mind. It is also a place of respite, tranquility and rejuvenation. The Commuter Path travels through the canopy of the street trees, also creating a direct and unique connection to nature. All three paths incorporate ACTIVE DESIGN and encourage movement and physical activity and offer unparalleled views, all while filtering sunlight and Vitamin D essential for optimal health and brain function.

ACTIVE DESIGN

PHYSICAL - MENTAL - SOCIAL RESILIENCY is also a goal, as the elevated paths provide a place of refuge from potential natural disasters and an area of safety and refuge to meet first responders.

ROUTE MILEAGE AND CALORIC BURN: Loop Route = 1.75 miles = roughly 140 cal walking / 196 cal running The Shed to Moynihan = 0.5 miles = roughly 40 cal walking / 56 cal running

CALORIC BURN: Running = 0.75 times pound of body weight (0.75 x 150lb = 112.5 calories burned per mile) Walking = 0.53 times pound of body weight (0.53 x 150lb = 79.5 calories burned per mile)

EXPERIENCE

PLACEMAKING The approach to placemaking used in the design is represented as a layering of events, identified as: Moments + Places + Empowerment + Time. The user’s journey starts with the discovery of MOMENTS along the path as the rails of the “bridge”. Moments such as departing, overlooking, approaching and arriving define PLACES. Places engage the users and make them stop, to view, discover, engage and connect with the community. EMPOWERMENT is layered to the journey making the user align, converge, diverge and focus along the path of the “bridge”, making memorable physical and senorial connections with the city and its views. These experiences are mapped through TIME providing a before/during/ after relationship with the total event to create PLACEMAKING.

M (moments)

(places) (empowerment) (time)

LAYERED SOCAL CONNECTION RELATIONSHIPS / COMMUNITY

User Experience (placemaking) (10th Ave. overlook & approach)

(arrival)

(multiple destinations)

(destination)

(departure)

MOMENTS

(9th Ave. overlook)

(Moynihan connection & ascension)

(connect)

(High Line connection)

(engage The Spur)

T (linear) = 20 min. T (meandering) = 96 min. T (vertical) = 60 min.

T5 = 4/30/12 min.

(linear/meandering/vertical)

(descent)

(focus)

T4 = 2/16 min.

(linear/vertical)

(acknowledge)

(9th Ave. views to south)

(diverge)

T3 = 10/60/20 min.

(linear/meandering/vertical)

(converge)

T2 = 2/12 min.

(linear/vertical)

(align)

T1 = 2 min. (linear)

PLACES

(discover)

EMPOWERMENT

(9th Ave. views to north)

TIME

P10

(The Shed connection)

VIEWS / LINKS

LEVELS OF CONNECTION