The Design

The structure embeds itself within the green space towards the western edge of Lincoln Towers. This green space stands roughly 20 above the street (Freedom Pl) below. This change in elevation cuts off circulation between the western and eastern edges of the site. My proposed structure would better integrate itself into the fabric of its context by creating enhanced circulation throughout the site and the surrounding towers. This enhanced circulation would be achieved by creating walkways that lead to the circulation elements of the surrounding towers (like their elevator cores), allowing the residents to access the community center easily. In addition, my proposed community center would create stairs and walkways that align with the current street grid (the sidewalks across the street from the site). These stairs and walkways allow people to easily traverse the elevation change from the street level to the green roof. In addition, there would be sections of the green roof that would sweep down to the street level to allow people to travel across the change in elevation while also maintaining the greenery that was present on the site before the creation of my intervention. Finally, there are moments on the green roof where parts of the structure are elevated higher up or peeled up to reveal the practice/performing spaces used in the center below. This allows anyone walking by to look down into the space and observe the music and dance being performed/practiced in the spaces provided by the community center. All in all, my project responds to the historical fabric of the preexisting street grid of San Juan Hill and the footprint of the tenements because I was interested in their scale and relationship to people. While Lincoln Center was designed to act as this monolithic beacon of elitism and class, my proposed center creates spaces at a scale similar to that of the tenements that were wiped away not so long ago. And lastly, by embedding itself into the landscape, my proposed center allows anyone to participate in or observe the music and dance culture that has always been present on the site.