The Brooklyn Army Terminal is …

a massive government-owned building that was used as an army base during WWII and has recently been re-purposed as affordable work spaces for manufacturers and artists. This 2 million square foot building surrounds an open air courtyard with its original iron-detailed ceiling and two train tracks running the length. This large and beautiful courtyard served no purpose and was being used only as a pathway from one end of the building to the other. We were asked to design a sensorially focused public space that could be utilized by both the tenants and the members of the surrounding community and bring them together.

Research regarding the sense of touch showed that people find comfort in being held closely and feeling a light pressure on their bodies. Additionally, feeling weightless as though they are not bound by gravity, makes people feel joyful and energized. Working with these ideas, I created a space that would bring community members together and foster an environment where they feel comfortable and open to get to know each other better.

Born from this is “comm(unity) in comm(union)” a joyful space made of playful structures which provide the suspension points for individual and group seating areas. The structures are located within the abandoned track space, which allow the users to access the seats from the platform. Each seat within each arch is partnered with another seat, so each must be balanced in order to create a sense of equilibrium. A surprise comes when someone sits on the seats—each seat is connected to nearly 100 colorful glass balls suspended from the ceiling. As each seat is occupied, more balls move into place. The final topographic pattern can only be achieved when every seat is occupied—the true effect can only be seen when every community member is involved. Only when working together can they achieve such an ethereal effect.