(RE) Conceptualizing Transitional Edge
Harvard University GSD Platform 6. Pg 138, 142
Emmanuel Torres Reyes, Victor Perez-Amado
The New Jersey Center for the Advancement of Science + Technology is a Stevens Institute Campus expansion of 183 acres done in collaboration with the NY/NJ Port Authority, the Town of Weehawken and other nonprofit organizations. The partnership aims to produce private and public development in the transitional waterfront edge of Weehawken between the Lincoln Tunnel Helix and the NJ/NYC ferry Terminal. Private amenities include new sustainable housing and research facilities for the university and the city, consisting of water studies centers, environmental modeling, geological, hydrological and technology laboratories. Public development will consist of beach replenishment, deepening of the NJ/NYC harbor, flood mitigation and water infrastructure, estuary and ecosystem restoration and cultural amenities.
The project develops around three conceptual parts: An infrastructural node, an urban spine and a connective landscape that transforms the transitional waterfront edge into a destination. The node promotes the use of the helix as a catalyst of interaction between the plateau, the lower bank, and the existing infrastructure; it is a specialized core of studies that combines research facilities for Stevens Institute, the Port Authority and other institutions. The spine promotes pedestrian movement from the city plateau to the lower banks creating a connection from the historic city of Weehawken to the waterfront; amenities such as concert halls, ferry terminals, museums and educational infill centers are located in this area. The connective landscape unifies the node and the spine by a thread of ecosystems and parks; the area is designed as city lab for new technologies in environmental and ecological research that mixes public learning and recreational facilities.