Urban Portal: High Line, New York

Abstract

Urban Revitalization is a program of land development in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. The process has had a major impact on many urban areas to their economy, property value, reduces crime, and helping the current business and attracting new ones. My project site is located along the High Line, New York. The High Line is one of the most successful urban revitalization projects, that influenced many others like the Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco. The site is located on Tenth Avenue and 18th Street, one of the only areas of the High Line where it intersects an avenue and it is approximately 96 feet by 174 feet. One thing the High Line lacked were the entrances from the ground level to the High Line are hard to locate and identify. For me, it was very hard to distinguish which part of the area had an entrance. My project will be a proposal as a final entry to the High Line and celebrate its success in urban revitalization, combining the residential and commercial areas. It will be a resolution for how to properly treat the ground level to the High Line making it a better entry to those who visit the area. One thing the High Line studied before its construction was what plants grew in what season. To keep the plants alive, sun path and environmental points will help me through shaping the building property, avoiding minimal permanent shade for the High Line. The High Line is very residential based but thousands of people go through the park as it's one of the iconic places to travel to in New York. One thing about construction of High Line was the residents who live along the High Line doesn't feel like they are at home since business do not tend to stay because the area is getting too expensive. To solve this problem, my building will be a gateway to connect those who are permanent residents. Throughout this project, the surrounding site conditions will be studied in depth to help the relationship of existing and new. The other areas of entry will be explored to better the design and function of the proposed building. This project will showcase how to use architecture to serve as an opportunity for the future architectural and cultural development of the district, as well as, opening up the project site to the existing urban development successfully. Some of the precedents that will be studied will include luxury residential spaces, High Line history, and gateway architectures. Some examples are 432 Park Avenue, Grande Arche by Johann Otto, and Gateway Park in Taichung City. These will help guide the project to a better function and design. Through the studies of how to successfully practice urban revitalization, the end goal is to design an architectural gateway to change and improve the identity of an existing area conditions.