2021
Collaborative Project
Spatial design concept
The land which now supports the Hudson Yards development in New York City is one that sits within many layers of complication. First and foremost, it is a part of Manhattan, which sits on unceded Lenape territory. Many years after it first became stolen territory, Manhattan sectioned into East and West; the West side of Manhattan, near Chelsea stretching towards downtown, became held space for queerness among the soon-to-be ruins of industry.
Critique, subversiveness, new orders.
Collaborative Project
Spatial design concept
The land which now supports the Hudson Yards development in New York City is one that sits within many layers of complication. First and foremost, it is a part of Manhattan, which sits on unceded Lenape territory. Many years after it first became stolen territory, Manhattan sectioned into East and West; the West side of Manhattan, near Chelsea stretching towards downtown, became held space for queerness among the soon-to-be ruins of industry.
Critique, subversiveness, new orders.
Image of protesters in 2020 captured by Nick Garber for Patch.
CIMA is a conceptual and subversive project that repurposes the Vessel at the Hudson Yards, as the team believes there are better uses for the invested funds and efforts. In transforming the Vessel into a scaffold on which to perch inclusive, safe, and private transitional housing units, the team hopes to spark a conversation on the housing crisis and raise awareness of this shiny new ultra-privatized dystopia .
The Hudson Yards is a neighborhood in Manhattan’s west side that was constructed over a functioning train yard. The development cost many billions of dollars and received government funding. This area is currently a playground for the wealthy, but supporters of this endeavor would like the public to believe that this is New York City as it should be.
A centerpiece of this new neighborhood is the public art piece known as the Vessel. This commission is estimated to have cost an estimated $200 million and was reportedly funded by one person. Heatherwick Studio, the firm commissioned to design this piece, is proud to annouce that every part is bespoke, and it every component was shipped from overseas and assembled on site.
A centerpiece of this new neighborhood is the public art piece known as the Vessel. This commission is estimated to have cost an estimated $200 million and was reportedly funded by one person. Heatherwick Studio, the firm commissioned to design this piece, is proud to annouce that every part is bespoke, and it every component was shipped from overseas and assembled on site.
CIMA is a conceptual and subversive project that repurposes the Vessel at the Hudson Yards, as the team believes there are better uses for the invested funds and efforts. In transforming the Vessel into a scaffold on which to perch inclusive, safe, and private transitional housing units, the team hopes to spark a conversation on the housing crisis and raise awareness of this shiny new ultra-privatized dystopia .
CIMA aims to model a holistic approach to transitional housing, where there would be space reserved for necessary services and counseling as well as housing. In developing this project, the team also observed and accounted for current design flaws, such as lack of safety barriers and disregard for accessibility.
***
nataliafstudio@gmail.com
New York, New York