Concept #8 - Beacon

The Red Hook Houses consist of 27 identical buildings with a total of 2,528 apartments.  This monotonous environment stifles individuality and fails to represent the diversity of the neighborhood.  The new Center will reverse this trend by providing a welcoming space community activity.  It will be source of pride for the residents - a home away from home. The best views will be reserved for public spaces. A tower will be open to the public as a viewing platform of both the neighborhood and the rest of the city (similar to the DeYoung museum.) This element would hark back to the revolutionary war era forts at Red Hook, give the school exposure, and provide visual connection to the other department buildings.

Concept #7 - Heritage

People are spending more and more time immersed in technology. To ease this drastic, fast transition, the Center will provide spaces at the opposite end of the spectrum.  Students will remain grounded here while looking towards the future in their studies. Raw, durable materials will reference existing historic warehouses that define Red Hook’s character.  This building represents the core of the campus so it is expected to have a long lifespan.

Concept #6 - Wharf

Red Hook is defined by its maritime history.  The most significant architectural monuments in the neighborhood are the Atlantic Basin and the Erie Canal, wharfs that were ground breaking achievements when they were built.  Today’s shoreline is a result of these first catalyst project - the waterfront is almost entirely man-made. The Center for Emerging Industries and Technology represents the next era of advancement.  The building will acknowledge the district’s history through its siting and form.  The waters edge will be pulled inland and the building will sit on a platform. Massive elements will be raised up, keeping the ground floor free. Two environments different environments will be created, above and below.

Concept #5 - Return to Nature

As was evident during hurricane Sandy, Red Hook is at the mercy of nature.  It is surrounded by water on three sides.  Even so, it is impossible for residents to touch the water because it is covered with man-made structures.  Many of these industrial buildings are abandoned and getting devoured by nature.  The new Center will celebrate the process of returning Red Hook to its natural state (a marine swamp).  Built elements will dissolve into a soft water’s edge, where the daily shifts in water level will be put on display.  Nature will bore through the site and into the neighborhood.

Concept #4 - Factory of the Future

What will industrial spaces look like in the future?  Manufacturing is becoming more automated, complex, and abstract.  The Center will provide spaces that fit the needs of emerging technologies. It will put the progress of all of the departments on display. This includes the building itself, which will be another teaching tool for the community.

Concept #3 - Ways of Learning

Spaces are inspired by different ways of learning.  There are four main categories: collaboration, lecture, hands-on, and focused study.  These areas will be separated by screens that vary in opacity.  Scale, location and degree of privacy will reflect the types of interactions happening in a space.  For example, collaboration zones are located on the street side of the building and quiet areas may face the water.

Concept #2 - Motherboard

The building will house the primary functions of the school in the form of component parts connected to a main framework. Flexible spaces reflect the mission statement of the school - to prime students for jobs in emerging fields.  The architecture will maintain agility in the face of the constant and quickening change that defines industry in the digital age.  Circulation ports (water taxi, bus, pedestrian, car) will establish connection to Red Hook and the greater NYC area.