photography
design
writing
about
shade maps new york city
rat rock bike park
the tomb of the unknown soldier
new cartographies of the middle east
architecture proposal
Sat between two apartment buildings in Morningside Heights is Rat Rock, a jagged mound of schist that is seen as a scourge against development. In being tasked to transform the existing, atrophied site, I sought to activate the space as a safe haven for vulnerable commuters; an acute lack of protected bike lanes and a dearth of tree canopy cover plague the neighborhood's busy streets, endangering cyclists and furthering the moribund cycle of vehicular traffic. The project began by identifying the aforementioned components that create harmful conditions for commuters in the neighborhood. Through researching the role of bike co-ops and cycling activist spaces, I worked to create a democratic space where cyclists and commuters could control their surroundings with modular parts. The space also features a passive climate system that promotes shading and natural ventilation.