The Fold: Re-imagining Brooklyn Bridge

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the FOLD

Ramez Khalil

Simona Kuneva

Bram Winterford

Partner

Partner

Visual Artist

After receiving his BA from Newcastle University and his MArch from the Welsh School of Architecture, Ramez has worked for some of the UK’s leading architecture practices on projects of various sizes all over the world, from skyscrapers in London, to urban regeneration projects in Abu Dhabi.

Simona is a young architect who received her MArch with distinction from Westminster University. She is very interested in regeneration projects and the revitalisation of industrial era buildings.

Bram is an architecturally trained visualiser, artist & painter. His passion is using mixed media to bring designs to life.

Now he is currently working at Foster & Partners, while also being the co-founder of a new urban and architecture design collective S+RK.

Simona is currently employed at Allies & Morisson, and on the side she is the other half of S+RK.

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TEAM DESCRIPTION

He is currently employed as a Visual Artist at Squire & Partners while also being a frequent collaborator with S+RK.

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Welcome to the Fold NYC’s new iconic public space, a park in the sky celebrating the beauty of the Brooklyn Bridge.

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VISION

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Taking inspiration from the East River below, the proposal uses 3-dimensional wave-like curvilinear forms to extend the existing promenade and improve the overall pedestrian and cyclist experience on the bridge. ‘the Fold’ acts as an elevated public park hosted on top of the bridge’s carriageway enabling commuters, vendors, and sightseers to enjoy the iconic landmark with its breathtaking views of the city’s skyline in a green, safe, and inclusive space, thus breathing new life into one of NYC’s busiest transportation arteries.

OVERVIEW

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PROJECT APPROACH

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The design aims to maximize the bridge’s utility by extending the walkable spaces on top of the bridge while retaining the existing structure, thus striking a delicate balance between the iconic status of the aesthetic appearance of the bridge’s structure as a historic landmark while increasing and updating its original purpose and utility as a connector between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Through the use of contemporary minimalist design and material palettes, as well as the addition of various lighting design strategies and targeted refurbishments, ‘the Fold’ acts as a frame that highlights the beauty and ingenuity of the original industrial structure.

HISTORY

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PROJECT APPROACH

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The proposal enhances mobility and accessibility by providing ample space for various types of uses to coexist in the same space and share a similarly enjoyable experience of inhabiting and/or traversing this magnificent historic bridge. ‘the Fold’ provides for a single level accessible green promenade that caters to the needs of all users as follows: 1. Cyclists are provided with a safe independent cycle path free of pedestrian interference.

2. Pedestrian commuters are provided with a widened walkway that decreases any congestion.

3. Sightseers have several seating areas and large piazzas with unobstructed views where they can stop to take pictures and enjoy the world renowned NYC skyline.

4. Buskers and street performers can make use of the several ‘mini-stages’ all around the site.

5. Street vendors selling food and drink, or any other items can set up in one of the sheltered pavilions or make use of the enlarges d area to setup outside.

The biggest enhancement that the design yields is a significant decrease in congestion and an elimination of over-crowding through the enhanced functional zoning and spatial divisions discussed above leading to a more comfortable experience for all users.

ACCESS + SAFETY

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PROJECT APPROACH

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‘the Fold’ will provide an inspirational example for both existing and future civil engineering and infrastructure projects in its aim to deliver green functional public space for the people of NYC. The use of cutting edge solutions and out-of-thebox thinking to achieve beautiful form and optimum functionality have been the main guiding principles of the design process behind this scheme, in order to provide a new attractive outdoor space that rivals both the high line and the vessel without sacrificing any of the existing functionality.

We believe in the need for adding social consideration to the practical requirements of a project in order to achieve sustainable public spaces, and our primary aim with this proposal is to promote this outlook in civil and infrastructure projects.

INSPIRATION

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PROJECT APPROACH

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The proposal adds a significant amount of landscaped green areas, which did not previously exist, through the use of planters, in order to improve the livability and sustainability of the space and helps in allowing the scheme to be a positive addition with regards to environmental benefit. The extensive use of vegetation on both the walkway and the exposed structure above the carriageway helps in improving the air quality on the bridge.

The chosen materials including timber, steel, and glazing are all renewable, sustainable, and with a low carbon footprint. Also, the retention and use of the existing bridge structures as much as possible, in addition to the use of reclaimed or recycled materials where viable decreases the design’s environmental impact.

User security is a key tenant of the design process, as a result, a lot of provisions were considered including: 1. The cycling lane is almost completely independent without any pedestrian cross-circulation in order to keep both sets of users safe and secure during their respective journeys.

2. The added width allows for easier and safer circulation while also retaining other functions such as busking and vending, especially during emergencies.

3. The improved level walkway can now also provide easier a cess for emergency access during emergencies.

4. Direct access to the edges of the bridge are very limited and are always restricted with pavilions, high planters, and protective railing.

5. The addition of improved lighting design gives the users a sense of ease during the evening hours.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT+SECURITY

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PROJECT APPROACH

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Based on the recommendations of NYC DOT’s ‘Brooklyn Bridge Recommendation Report’ the proposal uses the existing steel structural beams of the bridge, in a similar manner to the report’s proposal, as the primary support system for the simple lightweight wooden ‘board walk’ structure which constitutes the new expanded promenade.

Above ground planters will be used rather than using integrated landscape systems in order to simplify the construction process and also decrease slab thicknesses and loading.

A separate elevated bike lane will be also hosted on the bridge’s structure in a similar fashion to the promenade.

Finally, the extent of the possible additional structural loading that could be hosted by the existing bridge will determine the extent by which the current promenade will be increased.

FEASIBILITY

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PROJECT APPROACH

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Ta’et Nour Masterplan Project

Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street Redevelopment

Assiut, Egypt

Abu Dhabi, UAE

TA’ET NOUR is a mixed-use urban project on the outskirts of Assiut as a humanitarian response to the needs of the residents of an informal settlement which has to be moved to a new site far enough from the high-voltage power lines that exist on the current site which are severely affecting the health and wellbeing of the residents. The urban formology of the proposal stems from creating a simple division on the new site between the public and private uses being proposed via a new green pedestrian-friendly main road. By understanding the value found in informal settlement architecture and trying to marry this ‘style’ to traditional Egyptian vernacular architecture we were able to create an architectural language that provides for sustainability and ease of construction.

The widened road system employed in the design allows for the possibility of adding green spaces to improve pedestrian experience, while also allowing for additional space required to perform secondary functions like vending while retaining the required amount of space for safe and inclusive commute. Through the use of a multi-layered system of shading structures which includes landscape elements, surrounding building facade design considerations, fencing, and hoisted drapery, enough shelter is provided for users during the inhospitably warm Egyptian summer.

Architects: Studio S+RK Landscape Designers: Studio S+RK Local Architects: ArchiLAB Structural Engineers: SAE Civil Engineers: Infra Group MEP Engineers: Infra Group

The competition team have been leading the architecture and landscape design of the project and will begin on site in early 2021.

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Part of the GHADAN21 initiative an AED 50 billion three-year development funding Design Architects: programme, envisioned and launched by HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Squire & Partners Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Landscape Architects: This scheme aims to pedestrianize one of the main transportation arteries of Abu BDP Dhaby, the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, by adding cycling lanes and greener sidewalks. The design concept traces the journey of the Beni Yas tribe from the Project Lead: mountain down to the sea, where the changes in vegetation and landscape is BDP reflective of the gradual change from the mountains to the desert to the mangroves to the sea.

Structural Engineers:

The use of meticulously designed shading structures, the careful placement of Meinhardt planting, parks, and green spaces, as well as, the use of various natural waterbased cooling systems helps pedestrians traverse the inhospitable climate of Abu Civil Engineers: Dhabi through the use of the forementioned unique green and sustainable design Meinhardt methods.

MEP Engineers: The project is currently finishing the detailed design phase and is scheduled to Meinhardt begin on site in the summer of 2020.WThe competition team, in their capacity as employees of Squire & Partners, have undertaken the concept design of this project. Highway Consultants: Arcadis

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