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New York-based design practice 100architects defines themselves as urban attractors, creating architectural objects that attract users and customers. One of the latest projects of 100architects is Vertical Times proposed for New York City as a new emblematic, twisted structure that will change the dynamic of public space. 

In this specific proposal, 100architects was asked to explore the possibilities of inserting public functions and environments typically associated with urban parks within Times Square, in order to give a commercial twist to the current cityscape offered by the place to both, citizens and tourists. Basically, turning the Square into a more livable and enjoyable space with a strong urban character.

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''When thinking about Times Square, about how to occupy and modify the scarce available space, and how to create an impactful effect in a place already quite impacting by itself, immediately 2 concepts became the most representative, Verticality and Density'' said the designers of 100architects.

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In this era of fast-growing cities and hyper-dense urban environments, numerous theories have arisen around the concept of “compact cities”, about how to organize and optimize this density and diversity in a more effective way, in order to impact positively on cities’ spatial and ecological footprint, and improve their efficiency in terms of land, resources and energy consumption.

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Vertical Times is a project driven by all this questions, and by the opportunities that appear from them, calling for an exploration of new ways of thinking and understanding urban public spaces, their new morphologies and the new roles they will play in future cities. 

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The main conceptual idea of Vertical Times lies in multiplying the intended space for public recreation in a vertical way, compacting it in an inhabitable object, sort of imitating the growth model of NYC, due to the lack of available space. A so-called Vertical Park.

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It sets a different approach in the design of public space, no longer needing to be large horizontal extension of land, but rather a multi-layered metabolism with a softer impact on land consumption, reducing drastically the amount of horizontal space to be used, and mimicking better with its urban surroundings, while establishing a highly recognizable landmark in the city.

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The multi-layered structure is comprised of 6 pods, organized vertically up to a height of 55m. The first 2 pods would be dedicated to children’s recreational activities, such as Playground in the 1st pod and a Balls Pool in the 2nd pod. The next couple of pods would be intended to host the functions related to public relaxation & green areas, with a Hammock Plaza in the 3rd pod, and a Sky Garden in the 4th pod. And finally, the top 2 pods would host the F&B commercial areas, with a Restaurant on the 5th pod and a Sky Bar on the top 6th pod.

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The structure is a concrete-steel combined system, based on a reinforced concrete central core, acting as main column transmitting the loads to the ground, as well as hosting the central lift; and radial steel beams supporting each platform. There is also a secondary structure of metallic tensors on the exterior of the cylinder, absorbing vibrations.

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The shape can be inscribed in a virtual cylinder of 12 m. of diameter and 55 m. of total height. In plan view, the area that the volume occupies is just 113 m2, however the structure is design to completely release the ground floor from any structural element except the central column. 

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axonometric section

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diagram of concept

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initial sketches of Vertical Times

100architects was born aiming to explore the thin boundaries between public leisure and urban marketing.

100architects specializes in street architecture & urban interventions impacting the known cityscape by creating a link between the brand and the potential customer through urban interventions, which invite the users to interact, encouraging the occurrence of social dynamics.

100architects was founded in 2013 in Shanghai, and is currently led by 3 partners – Marcial Jesus (Chile), Madalena Sales (Portugal) and Javier Gonzalez (Spain) – establishing an international collaborative workshop based in Shanghai, China. 

All images courtesy of 100architects

> via 100architects.com