Gateway
Done in collaboration with Neil Donnelly
2014
MDO plywood, latex paint, wood, sandbags, LED lights, paper tags, metal hooks
Side bays: 48” x 192” x 32”
Center bay: 48” x 320” x 32”

Gateway was a temporary site-specific installation underneath the Manhattan Bridge in Chinatown. The installation was part of Under the Elevated, a project of the Design Trust for Public Space in partnership with NYCDOT. Influenced by community input from a workshop, empirical research, and extensive conversations with the community collaborator, Chinatown Partnership, the project functions as a gateway into the community for both residents and visitors. The installation is a pop-up ‘community calendar’ to test how the space under the Manhattan Bridge could work as a place for people to learn more about what’s going on in the neighborhood. The installation also included lighting to make the space more inviting, information about the Under the Elevated project, and chalkboard panels for people to respond to questions specifically about the installation. As a result of the project attracting spectators and encouraging people to linger, NYCDOT installed permanent benches on the sidewalk, as well as movable tables and chairs, both of which were immediately filled with people as soon as they were installed.

Under the Elevated Team:
Neil Donnelly, Graphic Design Fellow; Susannah Drake, Urban Design Fellow; Krisanne Johnson, Photo Urbanism Fellow; Chat Travieso, Participatory Design Fellow; Douglas Woodward, Policy Fellow