Portfolio by Mamta Borkar

Portfolio

MAMTA ABHYANKAR

CONTENTS

Monumental

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial I Crystal Metalworks Inc.

Residential

520 West 28th Street I M Cohen & Sons.

Transportational

La Guardia Airport Headhouse I Crystal Metalworks Inc.

Government

Embassy of Australia I Crystal Metalworks Inc.

Institutional

John Hopkins School of Nursing I Crystal Metalworks Inc.

Corporate

Anand Bazaar Patrika Corporate Headqurters I Idiom Design & Consulting Ltd.

Mixed-Use

Metro Junction Mixed Use Complex I Lewis & Hickey India Pvt. Ltd.

Recreational

YMCA I Lewis & Hickey India Pvt. Ltd.

Institutional

DAV School & Staff Housing Campus I A. J. Nabar & Associates

Design Studio Project

Ascend Adventure Middle School I MS Sustainable Design

Adaptive Design Project

Restoration of the Schuylkill Waterfront I MS Sustainable Design

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL This four-acre site is the first national presidential memorial of the 21st century, which recognizes Eisenhower’s contributions to our nation as the 34th President and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. Framing the entire park and Memorial is a first-of-its-kind stainless steel woven tapestry, which depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline. The Tapestry Main Wall, located at the southern perimeter of the site, is a unique commemorative art installation with a Stainless Steel tapestry supported on 6 large 9’ diameter concrete columns spanning approximately 456’-6” in length and 95’ in height. The artwork installation is comprised of 4 layers, starting from the 6 large concrete columns that carry the SS structure, superimposed by the Cable-net system made of SS cables, rods and hardware, that in turn support the SS Tapestry Panels. The SS structure comprises of: Embeds, Brackets (End brackets for the 2 end columns and Intermediate brackets for the 4 internal columns that run across all the 12 cables), Box Beam that sits at the top of the columns & spans across the entire 450’ length of the wall, vertical end bars flanking the tapestry on either ends, and the light trough that runs across the entire length of the wall, and is supported by the brackets at the lowermost Cable 12. SCOPE: STAINLESS STEEL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM I CABLENET SYSTEM INSTALLATION I TAPESTRY INSTALLATION

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial I Washington DC 1

Tapestry Wall - In Construction

Tapestry Wall - Lighting

Tapestry Wall - Rear View

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial I Washington DC 2

Tapestry Wall - Front View

celebrating leadership

Tapestry Wall - Aerial View

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial I Washington DC 3

520 WEST 28th STREET Located directly on the Highline, this iconic landmark of luxury residential properties is a boutique condominium building offering 39 exclusive two-to-five bedroom residences. Deriving its concept from the powerful urban dynamic of New York, the facade with its distinctive chevron character and striking curves, embraces the interlaced seamless integration of the indoor and the outdoor spaces. The facade is finished in a particular patina finish to blend with the industrial character of the Hudson Yards. SCOPE: STAINLESS STEEL FACADE CLADDING

Chevron Facade Skin 520 West 28th Street I New York 4

View from the Highline

layered urban dynamism

Rendering

520 West 28th Street I New York 5

C-shaped Curved Facade Skin

Chevron Facade Skin

520 West 28th Street I New York 6

From C-shape to Chevron

520 West 28th Street I New York 7

C-shaped Curved Balconies

520 West 28th Street I New York 8

La Guardia Terminal B Headhouse The Terminal B Headhouse will be an 840,000 square foot new state-of the art building, Arrivals and Departure Hall, replacing the existing Central Terminal Building and the former parking garage (P2). The organic, fluid design of the new Headhouse, which spans across 4 levels, is the central entry point for travelers flying out of Terminal B, with seamless integration to passenger concourses and gates, the new parking garage, and the Central Hall that connects to Terminal C and the planned future AirTrain. The headhouse acts as a nexus with pedestrian bridges linking passengers to midfield concourses and gates. SCOPE: BLAST FACADE SYSTEM ON THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING

love at first flight

La Guardia Airport Headhouse I New York 9

La Guardia Airport Headhouse I New York 10

Headhouse Construction Images

La Guardia Airport Headhouse I New York 11

indigenous flavor

Embassy of Australia The 220,000-square-foot, six-story building will feature a custom curtain wall system and expansive interior glass atrium, as well as open public spaces, an exhibition gallery, and office and event spaces. SCOPE: MONUMENTAL STAIR I STEEL SECURITY WALL SYSTEM I 2-STOREY ATRIUM CHASE WALL TRUSS SYSTEM

Embassy of Australia I Washington DC 12

2-storey Atrium

Monumental Stair View in the Atrium

2-storey Atrium Entrance

Embassy of Australia I Washington DC 13

John Hopkins School of Nursing The 78,000 sft addition and renovation project was designed to create an identifiable hub for the school and maximize space utilization throuhgh innovative space planning and integrated design principles. SCOPE: HUB STAIR I STUDY CUBE STAIR I STAIR FROM LEVEL 3-4 I ILLUMINATED SITE RAILINGS I FENCE & GATES

Hub Stair Atrium

transformative experience John Hopkins School of Nursing I Maryland 14

Stair 3 - 4

Study Cube Stair

Main Entrance

Main Facade

John Hopkins School of Nursing I Maryland 15

Anand Bazaar Patrika Corporate Headquarters Designing a 52,650 sq.ft. of office space for Anand Bazaar Patrika (ABP), fondly known as the ‘Voice of Bengal’, the number 1 daily newspaper publishing company.

CIRCULATION

At first, we studied the circulation pattern in the context of the Urban Network in the assigned floor plate. Based on the functional needs of an Urban Space, the floor plan was divided into 4 main components: + the walkways, roadways (Circulation) that form the main arteries of an Urban Space, + the Junctions (Nodes) which form the connections between the main arteries + feature elements of any Urban Space primarily the Waterbody + Voids that define the subtraction of space, primarily Green Area GYM

NODES WATER BODIES

future expansion

GREEN ZONES

CAFETARIA

BENGAL MAGAZINES

informal discussions

CORE CIRCULATION MEETING SPACES WORKSPACE RECREATION ZONES

NODAL PLAN

SERVICES

BUSINESS WORLD MARKETING

lounge area MEETING ROOM LIBRARY

BUSINESS WORLD INTELLIGENCE MEETING ROOM

CIRCULATION OPEN WORK SPACE FORMAL MEETING RMS INFORMAL MEETING RMS

BUSINESS WORLD

DIRECTOR’S AREA

ABP / IT

INTERNET TELECOM

STRATEGY

informal discussions

BUSINESS WORLD

ADMIN + FINANCE lounge area

RECEPTION

OPEN DISCUSSION AREAS LOUNGE AREAS

CIRCULATION PLAN Anand Bazaar Patrika Corporate Headquarters I India 16

WATER BODIES

FURNITURE LAYOUT

Delhi, the national capital with its fast moving life & its urban network which is inherently dynamic, full of life and activity superimposes itself on this 52,650 sq.ft of a canvas. The floor plate is massive with windows only along the periphery, it was hence imperative to bring in daylight into the central areas. By proposing this dynamic glass structure right in the middle and creating this roof opening, we could successfully filter ample daylight into the interior spaces. Our proposal of an open office plan deals greatly with incorporating all the requirements cited by ABP, wherein they were particular in their count of the workstations and the cubicles, alongwith creating stunning work environments as well as interesting open spaces to enhance the creativity and innovation of every member of the organization. The library or the resource center forms the focal point of the office floor plate. Taking advantage of the location of the office on the last floor, we proposed the library to be an internal access to the terrace above. With requisite permissions from the local authorities & strict analysis by the structural engineers, we proposed to puncture the roof over the library creating a seamless visual look.

mission driven

The vivacity, indomitable courage and an uncompromising attitude of ABP’s MISSION and VISION has been rightly emphasized through the bold forms of the design. As the shapes unfold to reveal the story behind ABP’s success they double up into some of the main divisions of the company. The design embraces ‘the chaos and uncertainty’ that thrives in the business world as a strategy of any corporate development. The Lounge Area

Central Glass Library

Informal Discussion Nodes

Terraced Seating

SCOPE: BRAND STRATEGY I CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT I LAYOUT PLANNING I MATERIAL RESEARCH I ESTIMATION-SCHEDULES I COST CONTROL I MEP & VENDOR COORDINATION Anand Bazaar Patrika Corporate Headquarters I India 17

Metro Junction Mixed-Use Commercial Complex Designing 700,000 sq.ft of Multi-Use Retail Complex for West Pioneer Properties, branded as Metro Junction in Tier II cities in India housing retail both vanilla and anchor stores, multiplexes, budget and a 4-star hotel and corporate offices. + Destination Shopping - Significantly improve the Character of the Site Surroundings by providing a Destination Shopping Complex to the City and Community + Continuity and Enclosure - Clearly defining Public and Private Spaces + Quality of the Public Realm - Provide attractive & successful outdoor areas and amenities + Accessibility and Wayfinding - Easy to get to and move through The design is informed & optimized by the understanding of the human experience of retail & commercial architecture built over thorough market research & seasoned experience designing retail ventures. An innovative, distinctive, and sustainable design solution that inspires the built environment.

spatial juxtaposition

Hub Stair Atrium

Overall Open Mall Scheme

SCOPE: DESIGN STRATEGY I CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT I MARKET RESEARCH I MATERIAL RESEARCH I TENDER, LIASONING, CONSTRUCTION DOCKET I STORE FRONT DETAILING I MEP & PROJECT ESTIMATION Metro Junction Mixed Use Complex I India 18

BUILDING ADJACENCIES BLOCK A RETAIL + BUDGET HOTEL BLOCK B RETAIL + OFFICES BLOCK C RETAIL + MULTIPLEX + FOODCOURT BLOCK D RETAIL + MALL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE BLOCK E 4-STAR HOTEL BLOCK F OFFICES Additionally, the scheme provides 2 LEVELS OF BASEMENT PARKING complying with parking requirements, and provides shortest travel distances between vehicle and main circulation cores. BUILDING PROGRAM Adopting the Local Planning and FAR Index of 2 and Reequirements for the Development, the team set out potential program for a MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT with Retail on the First 2 levels, Offices & Administration at Higher levels, a Hotel & a Public Open Space containing Foodcourts & Entertainment Facilities. Enumerating the above scheme, the key elements of the physical accomodation are as follows 1. Retail Units in both the anchor & vanilla size formats to allow mixed use Retail 2. Hotel - Conference Center with minimum 150 rooms CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN: The design intention is to reduce the requirement for mechanical venti- 3. Office Units with independent entrances lation & HVAC wherever possible. 4. Delivery yard & Service Storage Area + The OPEN MALL CONCEPT of the design takes advantage of the FREE ENERGY in the form of 5. Ample Car Parking for Customers, Hotel Guests & Office workers HEAT & LIGHT. In the HOT-HUMID climate, the main function of the buildings is to simply moderate the 6. Food courts and Entertainment Facilites such as a Mutiplex daytime heating effects to keep the WARM AIR OUT. 7. Central Open Public Plaza + LIGHTWEIGHT BUILDING allows for RAPID COOLING DOWN at NIGHT. + Minimum windows on the EAST & WEST to exclude the PENETRATION FROM THE LOW EAST & WEST SUN ANGLE. + RAINSCREEN CLADDED REFLECTIVE facades on the East & West + The OPEN, CURVED SHOPPING STREETS not only encourage such air movement, but also allow for a constant flow of air across the facades. + External WATERSCAPES & LANDSCAPES further facilitate natural cooling. + The LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINIUM RAINSCREEN CLADDING SYSTEM reduces energy loss and moisture penetration in the harsh Indian climate. Air is allowed to circulate between the Exterior Cladding Material creating a ‘chimney’ effect keeping the cavity space FREE OF MOISTURE. + OPEN NORTH & SOUTH WALLS allow for CROSS-VENTILATION. Planning in the blocks facing this direction avoids double-banked rooms with proposed lightwells and atriums for daylight penetration. + LARGE VERTICAL LOUVERS on the SOUTHERN FACADES for efficient daylight control & miti gate solar HEAT GAIN. Manually or auto-operated. + Positioning ONE WINDOW HIGHER THAN THE OTHER, allows for the thermal force to direct the airflow from the high window to the lower creating GOOD VENTILATION.

Metro Junction Mixed Use Complex I India 19

YMCA International Center Designing a 60,000 sq.ft. of community space comprising of leisure and pleasure facilites to develop a culture of the very best. The green and pollution free environs in the lap of nature, the YMCA at Ahmedabad has the unique distinction of being a designated international center. The design brief emphasized the concept of ‘THE WHOLE FAMILY’. Designed to provide a leisure destination for the whole family, the building program was devised. Categorized into Indoor and Outdoor, the space planning included the following INDOOR 1. A Fitness Center 2. Two theme spas 3. Two fine-dine restaurants, and one Cafe. 4. A Banquet Hall 5. A Convention Center 6. A Discotheque 7. Approximately 34 Residential Rooms and 6 Suites The OUTDOOR facilities include three swimming pools, a party lawn, car parking for approximately 500 cars, a jogging track and two tennis courts. YMCA I India 20

The design was conceived into 2 phases, the FIRST PHASE including the Fitness Center, The Banquet Hall, the Theme spas and Restaurants, and pools.

a user centered approach Central Open Staircase

The design is refreshing and welcoming to induce a feel good factor and reflect the growing ambition and spirit of YMCA’s ideals. Through effective planning, the design ensures there are spaces for individual, interactive and collaborative endeavours, personal time and social interaction. This modern, vibrant environment thrives to evoke a sense of ownership and pride, and becoming a focal point for the local community.

Central Atrium

BUILDING PROGRAM: Keeping in mind, the clients vision, “To develop a culture of the very best”, the design was strategized around four major principles 1. Engaging the Community 2. Instill a Sense of Ownership within and beyond the YMCA community, keeping the users at the center of the design approach at all times. 3. Encourage Participation of the user to achieve the vision shared by YMCA. 4. Consulting Stakeholders to understand the needs of the people involved so that a collective vision can be established from the out set of the project. SCOPE: DESIGN STRATEGY I CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT I MARKET RESEARCH I MATERIAL RESEARCH I SCHEMATIC DESIGN DOCKET I PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES I DIGITAL PRESENTATIONS YMCA I India 21

DAV Institutional and Staff Housing Complex Developing a 750,000 sq.ft. of institutional and staff housing, along with designing the entire campus for both primary and secondary education for DAV public school. The 3500 sq.mts. Central court serves as an ‘Exchange’ and congregation space between the students, teachers and the community and is strategically placed closer to the campus main entrance. The institutional facilities namely, administration, management building, library, labs and school are flanked around the central court for easy navigation through this meandering layout. Every individual building is accessed through its own courtyard to allow for maximum daylight and ventilation to the habitable spaces. A meditation center is located strategically in between the student housing & the staff housing, and maintains its sanctity and peacefulness by being designed in the midst of a stream that is reminiscent of the Ghareshwar river that flows along the site. The housing pods have been assigned with terraces and courts to allow for privacy with adequate daylight & ventilation for each unit.

Campus Layout

Planning the campus around passive design strategies and retaining the local character of the neighborhood through the architecture, involving the community as an active stakeholder of any design project were some of the sustainable features instilled in this development.

Riverside Elevation - Arya Samaj, Vedic Studies & Research Center

DAV Institutional and Staff Housing Complex I India 22

Development Sketch of Library Court

Entrance - Institutional Block

inspired learning Designed to provide the best opportunity for pupils to learn, to cultivate habits that instill positive attitudes to life and a deep sense of human values that contribute towards the society and its economy.

Entrance - Institutional Block

CAMPUS OF IDEAS

COMFORTABLY DAYLIT SPACES

TRANSPARENCY AND CONNECTIONS

OPEN COURTYARDS

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

GHARESHWAR RIVER

CONTEXTUAL & LOCAL ARCHITECTURE MISSION DRIVEN

STRONG VISION

EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN Riverside Elevation - Academic Block SCOPE: DESIGN STRATEGY I CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT I CAMPUS PLANNING I ARCHITECTURE DESIGN I ESTIMATION I MATERIAL RESEARCH I HAND RENDERED SKETCHES I DIGITAL PRESENTATIONS

DAV Institutional and Staff Housing Complex I India 23

Ascend Adventure Middle School

- The true essence of education addresses the ‘whole child’ or a ‘whole person’ & does not limit our development only to workplace readiness. - Building a strong sense of community by enhancing commitment among members, support of the stakeholders to promote a global perspective & diversity. - Education and Equity are the two sides of a coin. - Maintaining a fiscal responsibility, developing new sources of funding, continuing to maintain good steward ship towards existing ones.

enriched experience BLOOM’S TAXONOMY OF LEARNING

ADAPTED LEARNING FRAMEWORK

MULTILITERACY

Students learn the best when they are teaching others, ASCEND will combine traditional with non-traditional teaching styles so students have a greater retention ability.

At ASCEND, the classroom is a catalyst to foster transparent relation between student and teacher. Including parents and the community to students learning. A teacher is a facilitator and an expert rather than a knowledge dispenser. Ultimately, the PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO THEIR CHILD’S LEARNING.

At ASCEND, we believe Sustainability and Technology are an embedded part of the curriculum. Building a holistic program that takes the values of Traditional Learning, binding them together with the quintessential characteristics of the Expeditional Learning (hands-on learning) to create sustainable values and experiences.

STUDENT AS THE MOST IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDER OF THE SCHOOL Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 24

Guiding Principles

Goals

THE MOOD

CENTRAL ATRIUM

CENTRAL ATRIUM FROM THE DECK

OUTDOOR GAZEBOS

ENTRANCE HALLWAY

TRANSITION INTO NATURE

Pure adventure and experiential learning zone, this layer transcends the students far away from the city amidst nature. Comprising of classrooms, flex classrooms, labs, studios, finally expanding into the adventure zone, this layer explores integrated learning through experience.

TRANSITION INTO TRANSPARENCY This layer symbolizes the transitional spaces between the City and the Nature. Hallways, corridors constitute this layer diluting the boundaries between the city and nature.

Our ‘Mission’

city to nature

TRANSITION FROM CITY The first layer,, housing Administration Offices and Management offices.

TO INSPIRE

Students to discover their own sense of space

TO EQUIP

Students with knowledge and skills

TO EMPOWER

Students to become quality stewards of community and world

Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 25

BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PHYTOREMEDIATION

Phytoremediation is a bio-remediation process that uses various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and / or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater. There are several different types of phytoremediation mechanisms.

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SWALE ACTIVITY AREAS MEADOWS SCHUYLKILL RIVER BIO-REMEDIATION GAZEBOS

Bio-remediation can be defined as any process that uses micro-organisms or their enzymes to return the environment altered by contaminants to its original condition. Bio-remediation may be employed in order to attack specific contaminants, such as chlorinated pesticides that are degraded by bacteria.

LANDSCAPES BOARDWALKS STRONG VISION

EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN BARTRAM’S GARDENS

hands-on learning

CONSTRUCTED SECTIONAL MODEL

Phytoremediation and Bio-remediation can potentially remove all soil contaminates in 1-5 years. It is more cost effective than soil removal and replacement, and in some cases, the area can be occupied during the remediation process. An example of this would be a raised boardwalk over a wet-land remediation area.

PHYTOREMEDIATION

BIO-REMEDIATION

ACTIVITY AREA SECTION

Retention Basin Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 26

Constructed Wetland

Activity Areas

BARTRAMS

School will partner with Bartram’s Garden. The students have access to educational gardens and resources to supplement their classroom learning. In exchange, the students will assist, the gardens in maintaining and restore the existing baseball and tennis courts and the Garden staff will receive free access to school facilities after school hours.

ROPE COURSES

A unique high and low ropes course teaches students confidence, teamwork and problem solving. It is also a fun way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

ACTIVITY AREAS

The activity area spill out from the Flex Room’s patios. This area is dedicated for hands-on outdoor training and developing other related skills.

WETLANDS

Following the natural topography of the site, the wetlands are located near the river. The plants and micro-organisms present help decontaminate the brownfield soil and filter stormwater run-off before it reaches the river.

MEADOWS

Sloped towards the wetlands and is primarily made up of meadows grasses. Bee hives are near to assist in pollination and provide learning opportunities for students.

Site Logic Diagram & Features

Greenhouse

Cafetaria

School

SITE SECTION Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 27

SYMBOLIZING ‘CITY’

FRONT ELEVATION The 3 distinct planes that cut through the building are synonymous with the Design Logic - TRANSITION FROM CITY TO NATURE ans are strategically located in the layout. The GREY PLANE, that cuts the building across the Main Entrance symbolizes ‘TRANSITION FROM CITY’. The LIGHT GREEN PLANE, that cuts the building across the Administration Offices and Hallways symbolizes the ‘TRANSITION to CITY’. The DARK GREEN PLANE, that cuts the building across the Central Atrium Entrance and Central Service Core symbolizes ‘TRANSITION TO NATURE’. LEARNING STUDIO

MODULARITY

The layout follows the design logic from ‘CITY’ to ‘NATURE’, and the spaces are planned along these lin with the administrative blocks and offices upfront and the learniing studios and workshops are strategica located closer to the outdoor learning zones. Meandering hallways flanked with courtyards allow for ligh ventilation and create interesting vistas providing a glimpse of the exterior at all times.

EXTERIOR VISTAS LEARNING SUITE

TRANSPARENCY

FIRST FLOOR PLAN The design is based on ‘engaging’ a student to develop life-long curiosity in learning. Spaces are planned to reflect the scholastic format, developed on a ‘renewable education system’ with an emphasis on ‘experiential learning’. “Experiencing our world with the five common senses of SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH, TASTE AND HEAR, allows lateral thinking, rather than a linear one. It resonates with the excitement a student is experiencing.”

Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 28

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

SECTION THROUGH CLASSROOMS

The school will serve its students with spaces for classes, flex workshops, display galleries and ope discussion zones to experience learning and enga hands-on collaborative workshops. The architecture of the building will serve as a ‘tea tool’ for students and the spaces are planned to ed cate the whole child by inspiring creative expressio social responsibility, and collaborative learning. The architecture serves to promote school’s missio and philosophy.

SYMBOLIZING ‘ NATURE’

KEY ELEVATION

Central Atrium DAYLIGHTING

nes, ally ht and

All the classrooms, learning studios and hands-on workshops are planned around the CENTRAL ATRIUM. VENTILATION

STACK EFFECT

The Central Atrium: + promotes collaborative thinking, creative problem solving through self-discovery + and its features exhibit flexibility and sustainability + serves multiple functions with the ability to generate revenue for the school while providing much needed communal spaces for the community while providing DAYLIGHT ANALYSIS - AGI32

VIEWING SPOT

WINTER GARDEN

COOLING PONDS

BOARD WALKS

FLEX CLASSES

DISCUSSION ZONES

BUILDING PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS - EQUEST

“Wellness” of students is an important aspect of the building architecture. Space planning provides daylight access through clerestories, skylights, light shelves, operable windows, terraces to all for an effective and efficient learning environment. “Re-lites”, a row of interior clerestories on the wall opposite to the interior walls help in bringing in borrowed daylight from the hallways into the classroom. A series of models were tested to study the most effective light levels & daylight controls.

ENERGY

DAY-LIT CLASSROOMS, well-laid out with peripheral storage spaces and an open central area that can be configurated depending upon the type of class.

en age in

NATURAL GAS

DAYLIGHT ANALYSIS

integrated design

aching duon,

CONNECTORS FROM CITY TO NATURE HALLWAYS AND CORRIDORS

Ascend Adventure Middle School I MSSD PhilaU 29

Restoration of the Schuylkill Waterfront Research & propose a solution to resolve a problem at city level. The allocated timeframe was 6 weeks. Teams were asked to research 3 critical problems within the Philadelphia city limit and develop 3 scenarios to each problem, starting with immediate to future concerns if they are unresolved. PROBLEMS RESEARCHED A few options considered which were critical in enduring the urban value and protect the basic environment and ecosystem that we all are an integral part of were + Restructuring the City’s Downtown area which although booming with a distinct urban lifestyle does not provide for a comfortable transportation system due to increase in the residential & commercial development. Our proposal was to introduce a sustainable transit system. + Prevent the mass exodus of certain suburban areas that have been neglected over the years due to improper planning and infrastructural facilities leading to a non-descript state of sustenance. We picked up Germantown as our case study and subject of detail. + The most voted was the Resurgence of the Schuylkill Riverfront as this provided us with a very strong motive, ranging from the history & use of the river from the early on times to what it has been reduced till date.

EXISTING SITE EXTENT

EXISTING SCHUYLKILL WATERFRONT

optimizing the waterfront use

ESTABLISHED CRITICAL SCENARIOS A detailed site visit & a deeper involvement in the PAST & PRESENT of the river history helped enumerate the following concerns. + Overuse and Underuse of Schuylkill River Trail at Kelly and West River Drive + Flooding along the Schuylkill River + Loss of Historical Value LEARNINGS FROM PRECEDENTS STUDIED + Providing a connected & continuous trail along the river that allows people to be more close to the river, + Divide the riverfront into different zones, addressed by the various entities responsible for the waterfront, + Creating a unified design strategy that maintains distinct riverfront character, boosts city’s economic development.

Restoration of the Schuylkill Waterfront I MSSD PhilaU 30

PHASE WISE DIVISION OF THE PROPOSAL

concept:

R E V I V E, AND RESTORE

REVIVE & RESTORE

a sustainable design approach to restore the city’s natural heritage

THREAD

SEPARATING THE TRAILS BY CREATING A WAVE DECK FOR WALKING/JOGGING OVERLOOKING THE RIVER

WEAVE

KNOT FLOODING ISSUES

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, BIO-SWALES AND STEPPED RETAINING WALL

EDUCATION ZONE WITH AMPHEATRICAL SEATINGS FOR PERFORMANCES OR AWARENESS PROGRAMS

EXISTING SINGLE TRAIL

CONNECTING THE 2 RIVER BANKS

SPORTS ZONE WITH OUTDOOR PHYSICAL FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY

SPORTS ZONE WITH BIKE RACKS LEISURE ZONE WITH PLAY AREAS FOR ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY INTERACTION

STEPPED SEATING ALONGSIDE THE SCHUYLKILL TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE ACCESS THE RIVERFRONT

SERVICE ZONES LOCATED STRATEGICALLY ALONG THE TRAIL UNDER CONSIDERATION

Restoration of the Schuylkill Waterfront I MSSD PhilaU 31

MAMTA(_)BORKAR(AT)YAHOO(DOT)COM 215 . 531 . 2607