Conductivity
Demi Okunfulure + Mohan Wang
Built in 1969, the Claiborne Pell Bridge has become an iconic landmark in the beautiful maritime setting of the Narragansett Bay. Conceived of more than half a century ago, the Pell Bridge accommodated a car-centric society. Today, with a global focus on climate change, the bridge has the potential to serve more than the automobile. Our project ‘Conductivity’ is an addition to the Pell that focuses on both new users, and new uses for the bridge.
A key aspect of ‘Conductivity’’ is our Energy Harvesting system; Through extensive research into environmental factors such as sunlight, and wind speeds. We created a tunnel which protects not only pedestrians and cyclists but vehicles from the high winds. The aero tunnel also makes use of both solar and kinetic energy. We have added organic photovoltaics to the facade of the aero tunnel, and utilise piezoelectric technology for our bike paths.
Our adaptive infrastructure systems blur the boundaries between land, water, and air; The anchor node serves as the perfect spot for families and friends to gather and watch the Newport sailing regatta in the summer. As well as this, we have a submerged corridor that strives to create a better connection to the North end of Newport and raise awareness to sea level rise in Newport.
‘Conductivity’ is not just a path, but an all encompassing experience that can be enjoyed by families and friends all year round.
Demi Okunfulure + Mohan Wang
Built in 1969, the Claiborne Pell Bridge has become an iconic landmark in the beautiful maritime setting of the Narragansett Bay. Conceived of more than half a century ago, the Pell Bridge accommodated a car-centric society. Today, with a global focus on climate change, the bridge has the potential to serve more than the automobile. Our project ‘Conductivity’ is an addition to the Pell that focuses on both new users, and new uses for the bridge.
A key aspect of ‘Conductivity’’ is our Energy Harvesting system; Through extensive research into environmental factors such as sunlight, and wind speeds. We created a tunnel which protects not only pedestrians and cyclists but vehicles from the high winds. The aero tunnel also makes use of both solar and kinetic energy. We have added organic photovoltaics to the facade of the aero tunnel, and utilise piezoelectric technology for our bike paths.
Our adaptive infrastructure systems blur the boundaries between land, water, and air; The anchor node serves as the perfect spot for families and friends to gather and watch the Newport sailing regatta in the summer. As well as this, we have a submerged corridor that strives to create a better connection to the North end of Newport and raise awareness to sea level rise in Newport.
‘Conductivity’ is not just a path, but an all encompassing experience that can be enjoyed by families and friends all year round.
The Net: Weaving Daily Lives
Nupoor Maduskar and Yu Xiao
Almost like casting a fishnet into the water, a familiar gesture for the people of Newport and Jamestown, a net-like connection spans between the two shores of giving a renewed life to the existing Claiborne- Pell Bridge.
The opening of the Pell Bridge in 1969 transformed historic Newport into a city with a bustling tourist economy. Our proposal for the addition of bicycle and pedestrian access combined with a renewed fishing system,more than half a century later, focuses on bringing back the economy derived from the new users as well as that of the waters of the Narragansett Bay.
Our addition of a bike and pedestrian path is interwoven with an eco-friendly fishing system that encourages healthier fishing practices in Narragansett Bay. The architectural vocabulary of structural nets supports both the new path and a new fishing-related ecosystem. A proposed fish market, a natural gathering space since ancient times, encourages further economic growth on Newport’s northern shore. This proposal weaves daily lives and encourages equity between human beings, ecology, and the different communities.
Nupoor Maduskar and Yu Xiao
Almost like casting a fishnet into the water, a familiar gesture for the people of Newport and Jamestown, a net-like connection spans between the two shores of giving a renewed life to the existing Claiborne- Pell Bridge.
The opening of the Pell Bridge in 1969 transformed historic Newport into a city with a bustling tourist economy. Our proposal for the addition of bicycle and pedestrian access combined with a renewed fishing system,more than half a century later, focuses on bringing back the economy derived from the new users as well as that of the waters of the Narragansett Bay.
Our addition of a bike and pedestrian path is interwoven with an eco-friendly fishing system that encourages healthier fishing practices in Narragansett Bay. The architectural vocabulary of structural nets supports both the new path and a new fishing-related ecosystem. A proposed fish market, a natural gathering space since ancient times, encourages further economic growth on Newport’s northern shore. This proposal weaves daily lives and encourages equity between human beings, ecology, and the different communities.
Inhabited Bridge
Sofia Paez and Shuyi Guan
The fascination with occupying space above water has a long history. Inhabiting existing bridgeinfrastructure is a rare occurrence of adaptive reuse with a small number of precedents through time. In providing bicycle and pedestrian access to the Claiborne Pell Bridge, we propose to inhabit the structure creating a destination for the community in Newport and Jamestown, RI and for tourists all over the world.
At 2.1 miles, the length of travel along the Pell Bridge is similar to the distance in New York City between Union Square and Central Park. In an urban environment, such distances are experienced through increments of city blocks that serve to break up the stretches. We propose similar divisions on the Pell through the creation of blocks on the bridge that will provide a reasonably paced experience across the Narragansett Bay.
In creating an addition to the Pell, we propose a groundbreaking construction method of 3D printing, which creates a skeleton of path and structure where the membrane can sit on and be easily replaced as time goes by.
Sofia Paez and Shuyi Guan
The fascination with occupying space above water has a long history. Inhabiting existing bridgeinfrastructure is a rare occurrence of adaptive reuse with a small number of precedents through time. In providing bicycle and pedestrian access to the Claiborne Pell Bridge, we propose to inhabit the structure creating a destination for the community in Newport and Jamestown, RI and for tourists all over the world.
At 2.1 miles, the length of travel along the Pell Bridge is similar to the distance in New York City between Union Square and Central Park. In an urban environment, such distances are experienced through increments of city blocks that serve to break up the stretches. We propose similar divisions on the Pell through the creation of blocks on the bridge that will provide a reasonably paced experience across the Narragansett Bay.
In creating an addition to the Pell, we propose a groundbreaking construction method of 3D printing, which creates a skeleton of path and structure where the membrane can sit on and be easily replaced as time goes by.
All the World’s a Stage
Saira Margarita P. Nepomuceno and Seung Hwan Oh
The construction of the Pell Bridge transformed access to Newport and contributed to its rise as a tourist destination. Today, spectacle is at the heart of this historic city from the Jazz Festival to the regattas in the Narragansett Bay. The city is dotted with performing venues from the historic mansions to the Opera House and the Jane Pickens Theatre. We embrace this vibrancy and propose to spread the wealth of tourism to the Narragansett Bay and the North End.
Our proposal for the addition of bike and pedestrian access assumes Shakespeare’s line that “All the World’s A Stage.” We propose a scheme of public spaces celebrating the spectacle of the everyday. Through technology and some simple hardware, we also provide the ability to transform a section of the bridge into the world’s largest outdoor theater - viewable and accessible from one’s boat or a seat in a new floating amphitheater. A new bus stop on the bridge will make accessible this new venue in open air - an addition to the many free attractions in Newport such as the Cliff Walk and Fort Adams.
Saira Margarita P. Nepomuceno and Seung Hwan Oh
The construction of the Pell Bridge transformed access to Newport and contributed to its rise as a tourist destination. Today, spectacle is at the heart of this historic city from the Jazz Festival to the regattas in the Narragansett Bay. The city is dotted with performing venues from the historic mansions to the Opera House and the Jane Pickens Theatre. We embrace this vibrancy and propose to spread the wealth of tourism to the Narragansett Bay and the North End.
Our proposal for the addition of bike and pedestrian access assumes Shakespeare’s line that “All the World’s A Stage.” We propose a scheme of public spaces celebrating the spectacle of the everyday. Through technology and some simple hardware, we also provide the ability to transform a section of the bridge into the world’s largest outdoor theater - viewable and accessible from one’s boat or a seat in a new floating amphitheater. A new bus stop on the bridge will make accessible this new venue in open air - an addition to the many free attractions in Newport such as the Cliff Walk and Fort Adams.
