Project Name: REIMAGINE THE EAST RIVER WATERFRONT: TURN THE RIVER ON
Location: MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
Client/Developer: CIVITAS Competition
Urban Design Team: Julie Lucier, Jessica Leete, Clair Ji Kim, Shanshan Lu
Year Designed: 2011

In order to integrate into the dynamic urban reality of Manhattan, our proposal for the East River Esplanade begins with a sensitive analysis of existing conditions and creative interpretation of opportunistic nodes. The programming of each node is based on the adjacent Upper East side neighborhood population and amenities, making each area unique in its design. Each area will stimulate activity along the water in a variety of ways. The East River gets turned ON by responding to the existing diverse population.

Turning ON … the river
A series of dynamic curved light elements visually unite the edge of the river; turning it ON. These elements double as sound barriers to mitigate traffic noise along the parkway. The translucent acrylic lights provoke interest as seen from the Manhattan bridge and from Brooklyn, Queens, and Roosevelt Island. The entire length of the River at 60th -125th Streets becomes a provocative, dynamic place.

Get ON… the river
A ‘party barge’ activates the river, picking up and dropping off revellers at each of the enhanced sites. The Barge accommodates events OUT and ON the river, moving from site to site, networking the whole.