Filled with disorganized utility buildings and sports fields, Randall’s Island is potential to become a new transportation destination adjacent to Manhattan providing valuable urban realms and urban developments.

As overall strategy for the island, we decided to transform the northern part to be a large public park as a connection to the south Bronx and transform the southern part to be the core area for development. Iconic developments in circle geometry are more possible to fit the original shoreline as well as access Manhattan skyline as critical visual advantage. As the attraction on TriBoro Line, the large public park will provide amenities for south Bronx, east Harlem and the new developments.

The space connecting circles is designated to be important public realms as a bonding for different developments. Train station plaza, ferry terminal and swimming pool are the three main public realms which are spatially connected. As the center of the core development area, the train plaza takes the role of transfering various circulations. The ferry terminal will provide a riverfront public space as well as the transit between the island and Manhattan. Located under the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the swimming pool with beatiful views will attract the public in the summer time.

Instructor: Megan Born   Collaborator: Wenyi Chen
(2019)