2012: Transforming the Bridge | 12382

Firm: Aptum Architecture

Team: Julie Larsen,

Location: Syracuse, New York

Overview: ÒYELLOW DOT ROADÓ proposes to reconfigure the lower deck of the Veterans Memorial Bridge from a linear infrastructure of speed to a series of points that create new forms of infrastructure and public space for a variety of events for all seasons. Similar to Yona Friedman & Eckhardt Schultze-FielitzÕs Bridge city of 1960, ÒYellow Dot RoadÓ proposes a series of multi-functional floating spaces scattered throughout the megastructure space-frame of the lower level of the bridge. The strategy is a series of carved out and hovering Ôpits and podsÕ that become programmatically flexible and adaptable to various seasonal activities, festivals and weekly markets on the bridge.Ê

FAST, SLOW + PAUSE: THE YELLOW DOT ROAD
The yellow dot road running the length of the bridge is divided into three zones Ð FAST, SLOW + PAUSE SPACE that serve to identify and organize the program of the park into a bike lane (fast), markets (slow) and performance venues (pause).In its linear extension, this manufactured landscape orients itself to the structural organization of the bridge.

PITS AND PODS
The landscape is punctured with pits that each offer the insertion of program. They can be filled with vegetation, markets and performances and their filling can change over time. Meanwhile, the wetland pits are the most permanent and are continually being fed by grey water coming from bathroom and market pods. The market pits are cyclically used throughout the year to adapt to seasonal interest and various festivals year round. The performance pits are open-ended in their use and can either be used for impromptu street performance or ticket only performance venues.