An Oasis in the Metropolis
ROOSEVELT ISLAND / NY / 2019
In partnership with Suada Dema & Yigit Boğaçhan Perk / Politecnico di Milano
Roosevelt Island is a long and narrow piece of land located in the east river of New York City between the coasts of Queens and Manhattan boroughs. The island took many names during its history of turmoil and in the modern New Yorker’s mind is an island associated with hospitals, asylums and welfare apartment blocks. Despite it being in the centre o a bustling metropolis, the island is removed from the hectic life of the city. Much like the other shores of New York, Roosevelt island too is also under serious threat of being left under the waters of the east river with the rising sea levels of global warming. This project aims to not only protect the island against the rising sea levels and guarantee its future but also using the isolation and the urban contrast of the island to the rest of the city to its advantage; strategizes to revitalize the island by creating an oasis amidst the metropolis. The area of the project is located in the north end of the island and is in between two of the most important historical landmarks of the area; the Octagon and the Lighthouse. The organisation of the areas and the project takes its hints from the orientation of the island and these two landmarks. With the creation of said axis and areas identified through the research of the past and the future of the island the project propose a research center and museum as well as extensive interactive public spaces for the island that also act as protective measures against the rising waters.
According to Darwin, the most adaptable of all survives rather than the strongest. So, why can’t this princible be applied also to architecture. Instead of creating a building with heavy structure, the proposition is to create an architecture that transforms and adapts. With generation of a catalogue of spaces and a structure to rest on, the potential to create different circulation levels, densities and spatial experiences arise. Being in a context facing paced change in social-cultural, economical and evironmental aspects, the building should reflect this potential.
conceptual sketch
maquette
metropolitan analysis
flood/time analysis
spatial organization
Coastal Strategies
The wetlands area will be seasonally overflown by water featuring unique plants adapted to the hydric soil. The function of the space is altered based on water flooding frequency and changing sea levels. By regulating tide and water level rise naturally, wetlands prohibit unexpected flood to protect the island from risk of being sunken under water .
The edges of the island are turned into pathways for both pedestrians and cyclists created on the original height above sea level.The border between the promenade and the sea resembles a rocky barrier which wil hinder the effect of rising sea levels. The pathways encompass most of the western part fo the island offering Manhattan skyline view.
The port is one of the main parts of the island’s revitalization program as it encourages people’s direct interaction with the waterfront. The terraced areas paved in concrete serve as sitting spaces offering the artificial islands’ view from different levels meanwhile creating an urban interaction point for the citizens.
The artificial hills create an unpredictability effect for the site users due to the continuous level changes and the unforeseeable direction of the pathways. The journey through the artificial hills ends with a great scenery of the surroundings from a significant height above sea level down to a soft transition to the shore .
variatian
a catalogue of exhibition spaces with varying width, depth and height is generated for need of different us
a catalogue of exhibition spaces with varying width, depth and height is generated for need of different us
combination
choosen elements are combined to create spaces with interaction according to use and desired density
choosen elements are combined to create spaces with interaction according to use and desired density
amalgamation
combined spaces are amalgamated to generate system
implication
the systems are cantilevered through the wall and supported by the forest of collonades in a grid of 600 cm.
the systems are cantilevered through the wall and supported by the forest of collonades in a grid of 600 cm.
consolidation
the system is merged with the lower common space of the lobby, research pool, lecture space and conference room which will be used till 2100 and then become sunken.
the system is merged with the lower common space of the lobby, research pool, lecture space and conference room which will be used till 2100 and then become sunken.
view of the ground level
view from the roof of exhibiton space
section perspective
plans