Description:

For the final project, students will incorporate the skills and experiences gained during the course to propose a design element for Old Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Working in groups of three, you will document, analyze, and study the place together to determine an appropriate artifact or structure that will enhance the experience.

Objectives:

  • Research project site
  • Draw accurate scaled drawings of your design within the context of the site, neighborhood, and city
  • Develop design skills based on collective research, experience and understanding
  • Work together as a team, learning to divide responsibilities and manage time.
  • Present your work to a jury as a team.

Requirements:

The final project must include the following:

  • Reflection on the meaning of memorial as a space for public reflection
  • Elements of historical significance and culture
  • Design that serves and uplifts community (define who your “community” is)
  • Architectural details explored and learned this summer – ground plane, elevations, sections, plans, spaces, vocabulary
  • Urban ideas that reflect readings – district, edge, landmark, node, path

Team Assignments:

  • Team 1: Names
  • Team 2: Names
  • Team 3: Names
  • Team 4: Names
  • Team 5: Names

Project Site:

Old Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Process:

Part 1: Project Brief (10%)

1. Sketch a minimum 1 sketch per team member describing an idea for the final project

2. The group will discuss the ideas and come up with a decision and a proposal for the project. The team will create a few sketches that describe the team’s vision.

3. Write a concise description answering the following questions about the project.

  • Who is it for?
  • What spaces and features does your project include?
  • Where is your project located? (must be specific; include a map)
  • Why did you choose who, what, where?

Part 2: Site Analysis, Documentation, Mapping (10%)

Apply lessons learned from Lab #2 and map & identify the following information.

  • Use materials from your field trip documentation
  • Map historical and present-day information
  • Map different zones within and surrounding the project site – landscape, residential, commercial, circulation (roads, transportation, pedestrian), areas of congregation
  • Identify nodes, edges, paths, districts, and landmarks within and surrounding the project site
  • Identify assets, opportunities, and constraints within and surrounding the project site
  • Must include mapping at two scales – project site & surrounding neighborhood

Part 3: Progress Review (20%)

Develop your proposed design idea based on your design brief, interviews, and site analysis. Document the design process using all the tools you’ve learned so far: sketches, collages, diagrams, words and writings, model making, drawings (plan, elevation, section), video, and audio. 

Part 4: Design Narrative (10%)

Write a design narrative using the following two formats, thinking back to examples of architects’ presentations and Readings #2 (Calvino).

  • Format 1: 300-word written narrative about your project
  • Format 2: 5-10min. presentation narrative in preparation for the final presentation

Part 5: Design Drawings & Model (30%)

Must include the following minimum requirements, all at 1/8” = 1’-0” scale:

  • Drawings: (1) Plan, (2) Elevations, (1) Section
  • Physical model

Part 6: Presentation (20%)

Each team will prepare a (10) ten-minute in-class presentation, including process drawings and models, final drawings, and a final model.

Deliverables:

Your final design will be a multimedia presentation that includes:

  • Final presentation, with all requirements
  • Final MIRO board, including all parts

Blank template for instructor’s use: Miro Template Final Project

View student samples on Miro:

Summer 2023