Snøhetta win competition to redesign Times Square
Dezeenwire: a team led by Norwegian architects Snøhetta have won a competition to redesign Times Square in New York:
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES TIMES SQUARE REDESIGN TEAM
Billings Jackson Design Contributes Industrial Design to Snøhetta-led Team
NEW YORK - Billings Jackson Design is part of the team led by architects Snøhetta that has won the design competition to create pedestrian plazas along a section of New York's Broadway, including Times Square. The team will be responsible for improving the pedestrian experience in the plazas as well as the infrastructure for the various events held in Times Square throughout the year.
The transformation of Broadway between Herald Square and Columbus Circle into a pedestrian boulevard began in May 2009 with a pilot study established by Mayor Bloomberg. Billings Jackson worked on surface treatments, zoning and street furniture for this temporary trial, joining the Snøhetta team when Bloomberg confirmed that the removal of vehicular traffic would be made permanent.
The design competition was organised under Bloomberg’s ‘Design and Construction Excellence Program’ by the City Department of Design and Construction (DDC). Last week DDC Commissioner David J Burney and New York City DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced that the Snøhetta team has won the project, which will comprise world- class plazas, seating, paving and infrastructure. Construction will start in 2012 and in the interim a temporary surface treatment entitled ‘Cool Water, Hot Island’ by artist Molly Dilworth is to be installed.
Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins commented “We’re thrilled that the City has made a clear commitment to quality by choosing a world-class design team for one of the world’s most iconic public spaces.”
The winning team also includes Weidlinger Associates, WXY Architecture and Design, Matthews Nielsen and Bexel.
Back to Dezeenwire »
Back to Dezeen »