Student Design Competition – Challenge Description
Challenge Description
The BLTa 2020 Student Design Competition will prompt design teams to conceptualize a vibrant mixed-use development in Philadelphia along the Delaware River. The waterfront has long suffered from being bifurcated from Center City by Interstate 95 which runs North – South. Recent developments both proposed and executed are promising of a brighter future.
The site has great potential and an emerging identity characterized by some of the following assets:
- The Delaware River Waterfront and trail
- Spruce Street Harbor Park
- The proposed capping of a section of I-95 to create a park over the highway
- Proximity to Society Hill and Old City
- Recent improvements on the Race Street Piers as an outdoor amenity
- Recent improvements at the Cherry Street Piers as an interior public amenity and commercial/cultural space
A detailed program and site will be provided on the day of the Challenge.
The general program will include the following:
- Multi-family residential
- Ground level retail
- A transit hub / water ferry terminal
- A cultural facility of your choice
- An outdoor space
The designs will be judged by the following criteria:
- Clarity of Overall Concept
- Placemaking– How does your proposal enhance the public realm on the site? What is the context and how do you improve upon it?
- Connectivity – How does your design interface indoor / outdoor spaces, public / private spaces, and the surrounding community?
- Core Skillsets- demonstrate excellent design, technical, drawing, written, and coordinated presentation skills
- Oral Presentation- A 2-minute presentation by each team will provide an opportunity to quickly engage the audience and judges
Some resource links for general insight of the project context:
Master Plan for the Central Delaware
DRWC’s Roadmap for Development Along the Delaware River Waterfront
Cherry Street Pier » Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Created by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Cherry Street Pier is the next step in the evolution of the Central Delaware River Waterfront, connecting residents of Philadelphia with their waterfront in new and exciting ways.
What’s up with the I-95 overcap park?
A reader wondered when work will begin on capping I-95 for a riverside park. We have the answer.
