Beneath the Gowanus Expressway in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
We are awarding three fellowships in urban design, green infrastructure, and lighting to work on a pilot project in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Located beneath the Gowanus Expressway at 36th Street and 3rd Avenue, the pilot will form a gateway to the waterfront, increase environmental health, and enhance pedestrian safety for residents of Sunset Park and workers at Industry City and adjacent sites. It will also test replicable lighting, green infrastructure, and urban design strategies in anticipation of an eventual NYC DOT capital project at the site, and application at 'el-space' locations citywide.
The Design Trust is partnering with the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to launch several pilots as part of El-Space: Creating Dynamic Places Under the Elevated. This project will build on the findings of our Under the Elevated project and the first pilot in Sunset Park will be a collaboration with Industry City.
1. Develop the Design and Maintenance Strategy for the Pilot Site
Using plans and surveys from DOT, on-site documentation, and community input, the project team will develop a holistic design and maintenance strategy for the pilot site.
2. Monitor and Document the Pilot’s Use and Performance
After construction of the pilot, the project team will monitor and document the use of the site by the community and the performance of elements, such as the lighting installation and green infrastructure system.
3. Assess and Synthesize Findings
The project team will develop assessment criteria and evaluate the design and maintenance strategy, noting lessons learned.
Design Trust Fellows are leading professionals in their field, and are chosen for their talent, expertise, experience, and strong qualifications. Fellows must have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as well as direct experience producing deliverables similar to those stated in the Fellow Description.
The Design Trust process is open and collaborative. Fellows must work effectively with one another, project partners, Design Trust staff, and community stakeholders. Fellows bring their skills and expertise to bear on the project, uncovering innovative responses to the city’s most vexing challenges and pushing for creative thinking. Together with the project partner and community stakeholders, Fellows generate unique design solutions that have a real impact on New York City’s public space.
Design Trust projects require significant time commitments from Fellows to work with multiple stakeholders, develop implementable design strategies, and produce final deliverables. Fellows are expected to devote approximately 1-2 days per week to the project. Stipends are awarded to the Fellow commensurate with prior experience.
Urban Design Fellow
The Urban Design Fellow will be responsible for leading the development of a holistic design to increase the prominence, safety, and environmental health of the pilot site in collaboration with the Green Infrastructure and Lighting Fellows. The design will consider how residents, workers, and visitors navigate to and from the area and the inherent value of the structure of the Gowanus Expressway to serve as a gateway to the Sunset Park waterfront and Industry City. The design will also explore replicable strategies and elements, anticipating possible future applications at the location and other similar sites citywide. The Urban Design Fellow will lead the comprehensive design development process, the community engagement process on behalf of the Design Trust, NYC DOT, and Industry City, and the overall assessment of the pilot effort.
The Fellow will be expected to produce detailed design drawings, lead presentations, and interface with a broad range of stakeholders, including multiple public agencies and community groups. Final deliverables will include a detailed set of design drawings, documentation of the performance of the pilot and community use, and a written assessment of the design and its elements. Process deliverables may include documentation drawings, memoranda from meetings, visual presentations, and draft design drawings.
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience and a degree in architecture or urban design. Preference will be given to candidates who have realized multidisciplinary projects related to public plazas, streetscapes, and infrastructure. Knowledge of lighting, green infrastructure systems, and the field of public art is a plus. Candidates should have significant experience in graphically communicating and writing about complex issues for a broad public audience; fluency in Spanish and/or Mandarin is preferred. Proficiency in CAD software and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Green Infrastructure Fellow
The Green Infrastructure Fellow will be responsible for developing a set of environmental solutions for the pilot site in collaboration with the Urban Design and Lighting Fellows. The design of the green infrastructure elements will feature strategies for improving the ecology of the site and the health of the community for residents, workers, and visitors. Its elements may include, but are not limited to: above-ground bioswales and permeable paving. The design of the elements will consider the inherent value of the structure of the Gowanus Expressway to serve as a gateway to the Sunset Park waterfront and Industry City. The design will also explore replicable strategies and elements, anticipating possible future applications at the location and other similar sites citywide. The Green Infrastructure Fellow will lead the design development process and specification of an in-situ green infrastructure installation, develop a maintenance plan, and assess the performance of the system.
The Fellow will be expected to produce detailed design drawings, lead presentations, and interface with a broad range of stakeholders, including multiple public agencies and community groups. Final deliverables will include a detailed set of design drawings, documentation of the system’s performance and maintenance, and a written assessment outlining lessons learned. Process deliverables may include documentation drawings, memoranda from meetings, visual presentations, and draft design drawings.
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience and a degree in landscape architecture or environmental engineering. Preference will be given to candidates who have designed and realized green infrastructure systems, as well as multidisciplinary projects related to public plazas, streetscapes, and infrastructure. Knowledge of green infrastructure monitoring and assessment tools is a plus. Candidates should have significant experience in graphically communicating and writing about complex issues for a broad public audience; fluency in Spanish and/or Mandarin is preferred. Proficiency in CAD software and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Lighting Fellow
The Lighting Fellow will be responsible for designing a lighting installation for the pilot site in collaboration with the Urban Design and Green Infrastructure Fellows in accordance with and complementary to the evolving guidelines and parameters for el-space lighting being developed by NYCDOT. The design of the lighting installation will mark the site as a distinctive gateway to the Sunset Park waterfront for residents, workers, and visitors. Its elements may include, but are not limited to: day lighting coatings and LED fixtures. The design will consider the inherent value of the structure of the Gowanus Expressway. The design will also explore replicable strategies and elements, anticipating potential future applications at similar sites citywide. The Lighting Fellow will lead the design development process and specification of the light-focused installation, develop a maintenance plan, and assess the performance of the installation.
The Fellow will be expected to produce detailed design drawings, lead presentations, and interface with a broad range of stakeholders, including multiple public agencies and community groups. Final deliverables will include a detailed set of design drawings, documentation of the lighting installation’s performance and maintenance, and a written assessment of the installation including lessons learned. Process deliverables may include documentation drawings, memoranda from meetings, visual presentations, and draft design drawings.
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience. Preference will be given to candidates who have realized exterior lighting installations as well as multidisciplinary projects related to public space and art, streetscapes, and infrastructure. Candidates may have a degree in lighting design or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have significant experience in graphically communicating and writing about complex issues for a broad public audience; fluency in Spanish and/or Mandarin is preferred. Proficiency in CAD software and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Design Trust Fellows receive benefits that impact their immediate and long-term career growth. Participation in a Design Trust project gives Fellows the opportunity to explore an urban issue in depth and make a tangible impact on New York’s public realm. Additional benefits include:
Candidates should send a cover letter specifying the Fellowship category they are applying for, a curriculum vitae, and a sample of relevant work (PDF format, maximum of 10 pages and 5MB) to fellowship@designtrust.org. The deadline to apply is October 2, 2015 at 5:00pm.
All applicants must have the legal ability to work in the United States and must be located in the New York City area for participating in meetings and events. Firm principals and sole proprietors are encouraged to apply, understanding that the fellowship is time consuming and the compensation is modest. Professionals with full-time positions may apply if they have the support of their employers; recognition of firms can be arranged. Pairs of professionals may also apply under one application. Students are not eligible.
Interviews will be scheduled October 5-9, 2015. Candidates under consideration will be contacted by e-mail. Please, no phone calls.
Selected applicants should be available to begin work the week of October 19, 2015 and remain available part-time through early October 2016.