Meshing Thresholds
A Cultural and Recreational Guidance
Pennsport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Meshing Thresholds aims to connect Pennsport’s community with the site at 11533 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard and the Delaware River Waterfront. To forge these connections, a recreational and cultural edge is proposed to guide pedestrians through threshold barriers—the abandoned railway system along Christopher Columbus Boulevard, the Interstate 95 bridge, and deserted waterfront piers. Both recreational and cultural corridors blend vegetation and hardscape elements across these barriers, creating vibrant, programmed spaces for pedestrians to enjoy as they traverse to and from the waterfront. The proposed circulation, shapes, and forms help "mesh thresholds," drawing inspiration from historic and existing typologies to unite the site’s people and surrounding urban environments.
Threshold Barriers
Historic and Existing Operations
Prospective Landmarks
Lack of Connectivity
Underdeveloped Thresholds
Existing Site Conditions
Development Strategies
Pennsport to Delaware River
Vegetation Crossovers
Pedestrian Guidance
Breaking Down Barriers
Strategy to Meshing Threshold Boundaries
Meshing Thresholds comprises a east to west connection made at Washington Avenue, Reed Street, and East Tasker Street. These connections are made with layers of vegetation and hardscape added at threshold barriers to create programmed spaces helping move pedestrians to and from Pennsport community towards the Delaware River Waterfront. Inspirations are derived from historic railway lines once crossing through the site influencing new grid and site interpretations. Vegetation added include areas at open parking lots underneath I-95, to the abandoned railway lines, and the site towards the Delaware River. The project effects about 120 acres of land and is proposed to be completed in phases to maximize construction efficiencies over time.
University of Pennsylvania
Studio: LARP 502
Professor: Misako Murata
Individual Project: Christian Cueva
Spring 2016