Course Syllabus

PLACE: Projective Landscapes and Collective Ecologies

Designing the future of canopies for Times Square

Mark Bearak and David Brown

New Yorkers have a long history of embracing outdoor spaces, from Central Park to the Hudson River to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park is a gathering space for the entire city, a melting pot of cultures and activities. The city’s newest park is on Times Square, a dynamic hub of the city. This seminar will provide a unique opportunity to explore Times Square and contribute to the future of this new public space through the construction of a semi-permanent structure for shade, art and shelter. The participants will be asked to balance the unique history and urban design of site, the concept of transportation, the lifestyle associated with the park, the landmark status of the buildings and the nature of canopy design and independent fabrication.

We would like you to propose a cohesive shading strategy for the park while also embracing the overhead signage The park currently lacks any type of shading which becomes a problem during the hot summer months, as well as seating and charging stations. Students should address the architectural language of the Snohetta design and the history of the site itself to create canopy structures that provide shade and enhance the program of the park allowing visitors to fully activate and engage the new spaces. Students should explore the current situation and create a narrative for how to project the future ecological, geometrical

psychological and social space of the island.

The scope of the project is not limited to simple canopy designs; we are looking for

interactive structures that can become a new type of collective ecology supported by social and

sustainable infrastructures. The projects can incorporate solar and rain harvesting, charging

stations, seating areas, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other programs as the participants see fit. The

essence of PLACE is to go beyond functional shading and create a place of social and

ecological relevance.

Students will work in small groups to pick a specific site in Times Square. They will create a site specific program and design typology for the canopy structure based on their site selection. Groups will be allowed to choose materials, structural systems and overall programmatic elements to help accentuate their design. Throughout the course of the semester students will refine their design, articulating details and fully developed material and connection strategies. At the end of the semester the groups will be required to prepare a 1:1 prototype and a supporting presentation in order to present their final designs to our guests.

WEEK 1: 9/5: Orientation Week

WEEK 2: 9/12: Intro: Time Square Lecture

WEEK 3: 9/19: Student Research Presentations: Times Square

WEEK 4: 9/26: Student Research Presentations: Environmental Design

WEEK 5: 10/3: Student Research Presentations: Social Ecology

WEEK 6: 10/10: Research Benchmark / Concept Proposal

WEEK 7: 10/17: Guest: Structural Engineer

WEEK 8: 10/24: Studio Mid-Term Reviews: Lecture: Group Co-working

WEEK 9: 10/31: Guest: Environmental Designer

WEEK 10: 11/7: Election Holiday: Off Week

WEEK 11: 11/14: Benchmark 2 / Group Proposal

WEEK 12: 11/21: Lecture: Fabrication

WEEK 13: 11/28: Lecture: Detailing / Finishing Techniques

WEEK 14: 12/5: Studio Finals: Off Week

WEEK 15: 12/18: Final Presentation / Prototype

Select References:

http://commonstransition.org/john-thackara-on-how-to-thrive-in-the-next-economy/

https://senatus.net/article/giant-umbrellas-protect-pilgrims-medina/

http://www.situstudio.com/works/built/solar-canopy#