The Holland Tunnel Rotary creates an unusual amount of open space in the middle of the city. The problem is that it’s not usable or accessible by the public.
By lowering the center of the site and placing the park below the level of traffic, all of this space becomes accessible to everyone for the first time.
Lowering the park addresses many issues present on the site: fumes, heat island effect, traffic noise, safety, connectivity, views, and protection from weather.
Fumes go up. People go down.
More surface area for vegetation reduces heat island effect.
Separating people and cars improves the safety of both.
The park is shielded from traffic noise.
Traffic is removed from pedestrian views.
The park provides protection from harsh winds.
The roadway protects pedestrians from the elements.
The park is completely open to the sky.
The park allows movement across the site.
Overall Design Strategy: The Loop
Derived from the existing geometries of the site, the loop organizes and ties together all of the different parts of Rotary Park: the roadway (whose traffic pattern remains as is), smaller street level parks, the sloped surfaces that connect the street to the central park below, the arcade, the central park, and interior program spaces.
The roadway and perimeter of the site define the geometry of the loop.
The loop defines the roadway with curved walls, separating traffic from people.
The loop travels from street level to one level below ground to create a series of spaces.
At street level, there are a series of smaller, intimate parks.
Sloped surfaces with stairs, ramps, elevators, and planting lead down to the lower level.
The central park is on the lower level, open to the sky and surrounded by an arcade.
Surrounding the central park are a series of interior spaces that can hold a variety of programs.