Thursday, March 8, 2007

Sites

So,

I am seriously thinking about doing my project in DUMBO. I guess I don't know NYC very well and it is hard to create a community within a community if you don't know the area. Besides, the problem that I identified and am choosing to explore in my thesis project was a direct result of and inspired by living in DUMBO. There is no, or very little, sense of community here. I am not sure if that is because it is a new neighborhood.....

Anyway, I have 4 sites that I am looking at and trying to obtain plans for. Since I am interested in doing a project for environmentally minded people, it only makes sense that the building be re-use of an old structure. Access to nature both from the front door and the roof top are critical. In terms of size, I think a mid size building is good. There needs to be enough room for the community/retail aspects as well as the individual apartments.

Option 1: 25 Washington Street
I like this site because it is located on the most developed Street in DUMBO. In addition, it has a nice roof top and easy access to the park along the river. Noise is something that I am concerned about here since it is located directly under the bridge. I do yoga in this building and it can be noisy.





















Option 2: 39-83 Water Street


This site is interesting to me because it is big and seems to be filled with potential. The views are spectacular. Access to the park is immediate. The roof top potential also seems to be good. I also like that the building is only 4 stories tall.












Option 3: 123-143 Plymouth Street


I like this building because it is located along the water. Eventhough it is not on the park, it does have some under utlilized water front space in front of it. There also seems like interesting potential for retail space on the ground level. I am not sure if the retail/communal aspects of the project should be completely internal or accessible to the greater neighborhood thus weaving the community with the larger community.










Option 4: 141-163 Front Street


Not sure why I like this site. It is not as close to the park or the water as the others. Noise is an issue here as well. I think what draws me to it is the potential for retail on the ground level as well as the fact that Superfine and all organic restaurant is across the street.




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