architecture

Saturday, August 14, 2010

31 in 31: #14

This is a series for August 2010 which documents my on-the-ground -- and on-the-webs -- research for my guidebook to contemporary NYC architecture (to be released next year by W. W. Norton). Archives can be found at the bottom of the post and via the 31 in 31 label.

Queens West (Stage II)

Just north of the Gantry Plaza State Park designed by Thomas Balsley Associates and opened in 1998 sits a 2009 extension of the park, called alternately Queens West (Stage II). The earlier park is marked by the large waterfront gantries (emblazoned with LONG ISLAND in orange letters) that obviously lend the green space its name. The new addition is punctuated by the famous Pepsi-Cola sign facing Midtown Manhattan. As of now the park extension stops just short of the sign.

Queens West (Stage II)

Designed by Abel Bainnson Butz, the Stage II park (PDF link) is a pleasant space with a playground, lots of benches, paths for strolling, and the occasional small building. One of the last included a round wood structure with solar roof panels. Not yet open, I guessed it to be a vending area or bathrooms or both. Another little structure is pictured above and below, what looks to be a storage shed for a small community garden. In the photo above the shed is the terminus of the garden entered at the other end, off camera to the right; those metal things lined up in the middle-right with circles are lockers, I'm guessing for people with plots. I really like the shed's overgrowth, curved roof, and chain spouts for water shedding from the roof. In a drawing of the park the little building would be a dot, but it nevertheless makes an impression walking around the park.

Queens West (Stage II)

Previously:
#1 - Phyto Universe
#2 - One Bryant Park
#3 - Pier 62 Carousel
#4 - Bronx River Art Center
#5 - The Pencil Factory
#6 - Westbeth Artists' Housing
#7 - 23 Beekman Place
#8 - Metal Shutter Houses
#9 - Bronx Box
#10 - American Academy of Arts and Letters
#11 - FDR Four Freedoms Park
#12 - One Madison Park
#13 - Pio Pio Restaurant

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