33rd + Madison Pocket Park

New York, NY

The 33^rd and Madison Avenue public plaza is a dynamic, 24/7, lush pocket park space in the midst of midtown. The plaza is surrounded with active programs and commercial activity, animating it as a space. A beautiful sculptural Cor-Ten steel wall punched with an organic, botanical pattern serves as a ‘wrapper’ to give coherence to the space, and at night it is subtly backlit to provide a warm and welcoming glow. A tea/coffee house strategically placed in the back of the open space encourages casual gathering and activity with moveable tables, drawing people in to experience the plaza space, while architecturally merging inside and outside through the use of glass and materials.

The paving pattern highlights multiple paths of movement and “breaks the box” of its given rectangular geometry in an exemplary compliance with the new plaza regulations, yet is distinct and different from other plazas in the neighborhood, adding to the city’s texture and diversity. The planting, all on structure with very little soil depth, emphasizes red and pink tones, and includes delicate ferns and flowering perennials as well as a cluster of Scholar Trees against the backdrop of the perforated steel wall. The project, with SLCE Architects, is currently in the construction documents phase, and is slated for construction in 2009.

Credits:
SLCE Architects