Raised Edges
Description
The berm edges are raised and connected to the raised edges of the center Plaza, creating semi-enclosed spaces. Paths on the berms and two pedestrian bridges connect surrounding neighborhoods with the central Plaza.
Features
- new pathways open berms to the public
- elevated walkways enable pedestrian movement between Plaza, berms and city
- elevated viewing decks and provide visitors with views of Arch, Fountain, Prospect Park and city
Submitted by
Tsutomu Bessho
Forest Hills, NY, USA
Site Plan: Site Plan: The raised edges will create semi-enclosed spaces for the plaza and the berms. The connected edges will improve pedestrian movement between the plaza, the berms, and the city.
Representative Section: Section cutting east-west: The retaining walls to raise the edges of the plaza and the berms are shown in dark orange. The bridges to connect these edges are shown in light orange.
Perspective Drawing: Perspective looking south from the plaza street west sidewalk through lawn and perennial to the Arch: The lawn and perennial open the view to the Arch and the park. The deciduous forest defines and encloses the space for lawn and perennial.
Perspective Drawing: Perspective looking south from the outlook plaza on the raised edge of the berm to the Arch and the park: The outlook plaza gives extraordinary vast views of the Arch and the park through the deciduous forest.
Perspective Drawing: Perspective looking south from the north tip of the plaza to the Arch and the park: The semi-enclosed space by the raised edges accommodates the lawn, the sycamore grove and the fountain plaza.
Other: Graded Circulation: The edge of the plaza and the inner edge of the berms are raised with flat decks, slopes, ramps, and steps and are connected each other with bridges as primary circulation. The secondary paths connecting the neighborhood and the plaza are added with slopes, ramps, and steps.
Other: Programmed Surface: Each surface cut by the circulation is programmed as lawn, perennial, deciduous forest or sycamore grove. The lawn and sycamore grove are for people to stay. The lawn and perennial opens the views to the Arch. The deciduous forest and sycamore grove encloses and defines the spaces.







