Students were tasked with designing a year-round production home for the Jersey City Theatre Company at Grove Street which would be integrated with its community. I chose to do this by changing the site into a large park which revolves around the theatre as a gathering space and place of education. The site currently stands as a noisy, open, paved area with few trees and little separation from the four-lane Columbus Drive. Return to Nature greatly changes the micro-climate of the site to create a nature retreat within the busyness of the city. The theatre contains multiple public programs outside of the theatre, including a cafe, public restrooms, artist-in-residencies, and an outdoor school. The outdoor school allows residents of Jersey City to learn outdoor skills from trained guides. The site contains dedicated seating for nearby restaurants and cafes, as well as dedicated spaces for a farmers market. The grand terrace provides a great amount of shade and acts as the seating area for the outdoor theatre.
