Frank Ernest DeBolt IV AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
Metals in Construction Magazine 2019 Design Challenge Competition Entry Submitted February 1, 2019 Results announced February 22, 2019
Wye Line New York, New York Role: Design Core Team Firm: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
DESIGN STATEMENT The Wye Line explores what happens when an urban pathway seeks to be more than a footpath through the city, but instead begins to create a multidimensional blur between people and the environment, technology and humanity, the ground and the sky. Taking inspiration from the rhythm and movement of the railyard, the design seeks to stitch together the historical context of the site with the present development and future opportunities, redefining the idea of “transit” or the moving of something from one place (history) to another (future). Focusing on the individual user experience, as well as the impact on the community and existing streetscape, the Wye line creates a multi-layered opportunity, that lifts the pedestrian off the ground and offers them a choice of simplicity, recreation, or revolutionary experience, while simultaneously invigorating street life. PATH This weaving together of three pathsBUScreates a striking contrast againstHUDSON the regimented city grid below and responds to the OPTIONS PATH START/END POINT DEPOT YARDS SUBWAY STATION REVITALIZATION AREA A B LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS C observation that people move at different speeds and with different intentions. PATH OPTIONS
A
PATH START/END POINT
PATH OPTIONS
PATH START/END POINT
PATH OPTIONS
PATH START/END POINT
A A
B
BUS DEPOT
B B
BUS DEPOT BUS DEPOT
C
LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS
LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS LINCOLN TUNNEL ACCESS
C C
HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION
REVITALIZATION AREA
HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION
REVITALIZATION AREA
HUDSON YARDS SUBWAY STATION
REVITALIZATION AREA
W 34TH STREET W 34TH STREET W 34TH STREET W 33RD STREET
C
W 34TH STREET W 33RD STREET W 32ND STREET W 33RD STREET
MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL
C C SHEDC
A
B
A
B
SHED
B B
SHED SHED
W STREET 32ND STREET W 33RD
MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL
W 31ST STREET W 32ND STREET W 32ND STREET W 31ST STREET W 30TH STREET W 31ST STREET W 31ST W STREET 30TH STREET
A A
W 29TH STREET W 30TH STREET
7TH AVENUE 7TH AVENUE
7TH AVENUE 7TH AVENUE
8TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE
8TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE
9TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE
9TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE
10TH10TH AVENUE AVENUE 10TH AVENUE 10TH AVENUE
PATH ANALYSIS
11TH11TH AVENUE AVENUE 11TH AVENUE 11TH AVENUE
W 30TH STREET W 29TH STREET W 29TH STREET W 29TH STREET
W 34TH STREET
W 33RD STREET
W 32ND STREET
MANHATTAN
W 31ST STREET
THE WYE LINE
W 30TH STREET
H AVENUE
H AVENUE
H AVENUE
INSPRIRATION
TH AVENUE
W 29TH STREET
TH AVENUE
WYE · noun: where two rail lines join, often between a railroad’s mainline and a spur, wyes can be used as a junction to allow travel in either direction or in order to allow individuals to pass from one line to another.
CONTEXT
CONCEPT COMMUTER PATH
SKY PATH
GARDEN PATH
GROUND LEVEL
Intended to be the most simple and direct path between Moynihan Station and Hudson Yard, the Commuter Path is the largest path. Designed to not only accommodate heavy traffic, the PaveGen pavers actually harness and store electricity generated from the footsteps, creating a regenerative asset for the community. Careful consideration was given to how the path would be seen from underneath; the solution is polished stainless steel and glass, to be reflective to the surrounding vibrant cityscape and transparent enough to allow light to pass through.
The Garden Path, suspended above the Commuter Path, embodies the idea of movement for recreation, rejuvenation and respite. Its free form implies that it’s a place to stroll, be in nature and enjoy the journey. The warmer materials, along with plants and trees, connect the user to nature and create a “park in the sky” experience. Glass is also used on the bottom of this path to allow for light to filter through.
To meet the objective of spanning the street activity with minimal disruption or supports, the first two paths are suspended from a structure designed to evoke the movement and rhythm of a rail line. This structure itself forms the third path, a Sky Path that creates a revolutionary experience of walking between the skyline and seeing the city at a perspective like no other. The perforated, illuminated metal railings and cladding, along with openings at peak elevations, allow the user to see, walk through and be a part of unprecedented views of the city.
All of the new activity above and surrounding the Wye Line will filter onto the sidewalks and common areas below, activating the streets at ground level. An important component of the Wye Line is the redevelopment opportunities it offers the currently underutilized corridors it is proposed to occupy (a main reason its specific pathway was chosen to be where it is). On this note, a new park and green area is proposed along the Wye Line at ground level, along the north side of 30th Street between
the Lincoln Tunnel Access Roads and 9th Ave. This park offers new community-gathering opportunities, and directly connects with and interacts with the paths above. This is the Wye Line’s main “touchdown” point between Moynihan Station and Hudson Yards’ Shed, where the complete environment can come alive all times of the day, and especially on weekends when Farmers Markets or holiday kiosks, and other year-round artisan activities can take over the park space.
PATH LAYERS
SKY PATH GARDEN PATH COMMUTER PATH GROUND LEVEL CONCEPT STUDY
CIRCULATION MANHATTAN WEST HUDSON YARDS MOYNIHAN STATION
THE SHED
OVERALL CIRCULATION ELEVATION
HUDSON YARDS
31 ST ST SECTION 2
THE SHED
SECTION 1
30 TH ST
SITE PLAN
SITE CIRCULATION SECTION 1
MOYNIHAN STATION
SITE CIRCULATION SECTION 2
8 TH AVE
11 TH AVE
10 TH AVE
9 TH AVE
MANHATTAN WEST
STRUCTURAL CONCEPT
STRUCTURE Beginning as a form pleasing to the eye, the structure of the Wye Line creates a widesweeping macro scale gesture that serves as a complimentary visual juxtaposition to the nearby horizontal High Line. The structure is a unique approach on a historic form, the Arch. Where a typical arch lives in a vertical two-dimensional plane, the Wye Line arch is three dimensional, with the supports living in offset planes. Shifting the supports horizontally across a city LOADING WYE ARCH block creates weak axis moment in the upper sections. To respond to this added demand the design responds with a wider section, creating a stronger cross section. Structurally, the arch LOADING OF TRADITIONAL ARCH was selected to carry the Wye line because of its excellent load carrying capacity for span to rise, light weight construction and to mitigate column interruptions to the cityscape.
WEAK AXIS MOMENT ISOMETRIC DIAGRAM GROUND REACTIONS AXIAL LOADS MOMENT - WEAK AXIS
GROUND REACTIONS AXIAL LOADS MOMENT -- WEAK AXIS
LOADING WYE ARCH
LOADING OF TRADITIONAL ARCH
TRADITIONAL ARCH
The result is a striking visual bridge of shade and shadow, form and function, that much like the city below it, changes throughout the day, month and year. The iconic curving evokes curiosity of where it ends and entices walkers to experience the paths and streets below. PLAN
TRADITIONAL ARCH
ISOMETRIC RENDERING
SECTION
WYE STRUCTURE
1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH
MATERIAL | STRUCTURE
1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH
DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS STAINLESS 1" STEELWITH PLATE GIRDER STEEL EDGING BRONZE FINISH SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS
1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH
DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS
1
2
DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS
5
3
4
SKY PATH
Steel rails set at multiples of the rail module of 4’-8 1/2” between rails. The flowing lines much like the path itself reflect that of the train lines found below the street level.
4 7
2
6
1" STEEL PLATE GIRDER BRONZE FINISH
1
5
9
50’-0”
Concrete pavers for resiliency and durability align with the stone base of the railroad ballast layers. Glass allows light to find itself to the layers below. Green areas to connect to nature.
PATTERN
150’-0”
GARDEN PATH
DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS
PAVERS
DECK OF FIXED GLASS PANELS WITH STAINLESS STEEL EDGING SUSPENDED WITHIN THE TRUSS
BOX GIRDER Concrete pavers for resiliency and durability align with the stone base of the railroad ballast and moorum layers. BALLAST SHOULDER
BALLAST SHOULDER
4' 4' - 8 1/2"
8 1/2"
DESIGN MODULE DESIGN MODULE
BALLAST SHOULDER
4' - 8 1/2" DESIGN MODULE
BALLAST SHOULDER
CROSS STRUCTURE & CABLES 4' - 8 1/2"
DESIGN MODULE
BALLAST BASE
These cross members connect the girders much in the way the sleepers connect and serve as a base for the rails. FORMATION WIDTH
BALLAST BASE
FORMATION WIDTH
4
BALLAST BASE
FORMATION WIDTH
BALLAST BASE
8
COMMUTER PATH
9
25’-0” PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE (logo to be gray 128-128-128))
6
2
7
5
DEBO path sections 01/25/19
PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE (logo to be gray 128-128-128))
1
SHELL / SKIN These metal shells or skin are polished mirrored steel that borrow form from the subway car while providing a reflective surface to reflect the urban context that changes as you move along the paths BALLAST SHOULDER
MATERIAL LEGEND PROJECT NAME OR LOGO HERE - 1” steel plate box girder (logo to be gray11128-128-128)) 2 - frosted glass walking surface 2 OR PROJECT NAME LOGO HERE (logo to be gray33128-128-128)) - bronze shell - subway token
FORMATION WIDTH
4' - 8 1/2"
DEBO path sections 44 - 4” braided steel cable - four 7-wire strands
well with mirror finish to reflect light sections 5 66 - concrete paver with steel inlay
01/25/19 5 - light DEBO path 01/25/19
DEBO path sections
DESIGN MODULE
77 - rainwater harvesting system 88 - Pavegen energy capturing pavers 99 - polished stainless steel - mirror finish BALLAST BASE FORMATION WIDTH
SUSTAINABILITY
RAINWATER HARVESTING RAINWATER DATA RAINWATER HARVEST
Rainwater collection integrated into edge of the paving system. Potential Rainwater collection 2,126 cubic feet per day RAINWATER HARVEST ILLUMINATION
ENERGY PRODUCTION ENERGY DATA Pavegen Pavers at commuter path 28kwh per day PV Canopy on 283kwh per day PAVERS (PAVEGEN)
KIOSK INFO PANEL
Net Zero Enough energy to power use
KIOSK DATA Time Weather Traffic volumes Train times Sustainability Data User travels per day Energy generated Rainwater collected Free WIFI Phone charging News and Sports Event calendar Daily fitness challenge
WELLNESS
ACTIVE DESIGN:
BIOPHILIA: GREEN GARDEN WAVES
WELLNESS: In the midst of an urban concrete jungle, connecting to nature is vital to human health and wellness. BIOPHILIC DESIGN elements incorporated throughout the Wye Line address this basic human need. The Garden Path’s plants and natural elements immediately elevate one’s serotonin and dopamine and thus, their state of mind. It is also a place of respite, tranquility and rejuvenation. The Commuter Path travels through the canopy of the street trees, also creating a direct and unique connection to nature. All three paths incorporate ACTIVE DESIGN and encourage movement and physical activity and offer unparalleled views, all while filtering sunlight and Vitamin D essential for optimal health and brain function.
ACTIVE DESIGN
PHYSICAL - MENTAL - SOCIAL RESILIENCY is also a goal, as the elevated paths provide a place of refuge from potential natural disasters and an area of safety and refuge to meet first responders.
ROUTE MILEAGE AND CALORIC BURN: Loop Route = 1.75 miles = roughly 140 cal walking / 196 cal running The Shed to Moynihan = 0.5 miles = roughly 40 cal walking / 56 cal running
CALORIC BURN: Running = 0.75 times pound of body weight (0.75 x 150lb = 112.5 calories burned per mile) Walking = 0.53 times pound of body weight (0.53 x 150lb = 79.5 calories burned per mile)
EXPERIENCE
PLACEMAKING The approach to placemaking used in the design is represented as a layering of events, identified as: Moments + Places + Empowerment + Time. The user’s journey starts with the discovery of MOMENTS along the path as the rails of the “bridge”. Moments such as departing, overlooking, approaching and arriving define PLACES. Places engage the users and make them stop, to view, discover, engage and connect with the community. EMPOWERMENT is layered to the journey making the user align, converge, diverge and focus along the path of the “bridge”, making memorable physical and senorial connections with the city and its views. These experiences are mapped through TIME providing a before/during/ after relationship with the total event to create PLACEMAKING.
M (moments)
+
P
+
E
+
T
(places) (empowerment) (time)
=
LAYERED SOCAL CONNECTION RELATIONSHIPS / COMMUNITY
User Experience (placemaking) (10th Ave. overlook & approach)
(arrival)
(multiple destinations)
M5
M3
M4
(destination)
(departure)
M2
M1
MOMENTS
M6
(9th Ave. overlook)
P3
P2
(Moynihan connection & ascension)
(connect)
P9
(High Line connection)
P8
(engage The Spur)
P7
E4
T (linear) = 20 min. T (meandering) = 96 min. T (vertical) = 60 min.
T5 = 4/30/12 min.
(linear/meandering/vertical)
P4
(descent)
(focus)
T4 = 2/16 min.
(linear/vertical)
P1
(acknowledge)
(9th Ave. views to south)
(diverge)
E3
T3 = 10/60/20 min.
(linear/meandering/vertical)
(converge)
E2
T2 = 2/12 min.
(linear/vertical)
(align)
E1
T1 = 2 min. (linear)
PLACES
P6
(discover)
EMPOWERMENT
P5
(9th Ave. views to north)
TIME
P10
(The Shed connection)
VIEWS / LINKS
LEVELS OF CONNECTION