Healing roadway

RISD Advance Studio: Queens Boulevard •New york • 2016

INSTRUCTOR: Johanna Barthmaier-Payne + Matthew Donham

A lot of seniors and children live along Queens Boulevard. However the green space along the boulevard is extremely limited. These vulnerable people need space near their homes to heal them, protect them and to have an opportunity to be close to nature.

Shelter and prospect space in the middle of the boulevard provide a protected place for them to stay, play and relax. Landforms, plants, light and water combine to create shelter and prospect space. Symmetrical and asymmetrical spaces create a balance to allow users to feel stable and whole when experienced. Based on different site conditions, types of space have different forms, but all have the function of protection. In order to release stress, space is formed of simplicity and thereby easy to understand. Variety of landform, texture of plants, seasonal interest, color provide enough interests and accommodate different activities for them to heal themselves from dense living conditions. Trees and different forms of landform offer a variety of sunny and shady areas for people with varying tolerances to light exposure. Water features provide a calming effect and mask sound from vehicles.

The green space at the middle of Queens Boulevard provides outdoor rooms of a variety of shapes and sizes for children and senior people, making it attractive to them for different reasons and at different times of the day. Each section of the green space has a different character and function.The elm trees that line the middle of Boulevard provide an ever-changing landscape, giving shade from the sun during hot summers, while in winter, when the leaves are gone, the branches allow warm sunlight to reach the middle space.