Nathan York_Idroscalo

This project addresses the fringe urbanity of Idroscalo through a superimposition of polar communities to create a new density that merges commercial,recreational, and residential programs in order to gradually transform the edge of Idroscalo.

The edge of Idroscalo is both highly defined and uncertain as it is bordered by a semi-functional breakwater and an expanding gentrified marina. As the necessary borders that define the neighborhood are worn thin and unravel, the fringe community reflects the marginal condition of the village. The bipolarity of urbanism within Idroscalo serves as inspiration for a system located on multiple boundaries and edges. Rather than prohibiting the expansion of the new commercial port into the village, this project realizes and accepts the inevitable growth and proposes an urban fabric that allows a cohabitation of the existing community and the threatening commercial activity. The form that this cohabitation takes is a series of fringes that have unraveled from the existing urban fabric that create streets containing housing, ports, water, commercial activities, and public spaces.

The current connection between the port and the residential area creates a disparaging distinction between those who live in economically challenged Idroscalo and those who frequent the affluent port through a thin fence, a road, and a turnstile. The project gradually reshapes the edge of Idroscalo by projecting the existing conditions of port and housing onto each other, superimposing the polar communities. The projection transforms the inflexible existing separation into an occupiable thickened line that flows into Idroscalo’s existing neighborhoods. As the project reshapes the edge it absorbs programs and creates piazzas and channels within the superimposed curve generated from the two tension points of a turnstile and the gate of shame. Gradually the curves create a new density for Idroscalo that merges commercial, recreational, and residential programs while allowing the existing inhabitants to occupy new homes, create new businesses, and explore new community.This gives the former residences, lacking basic amenities, the possibility to become a public park, a sports field, or a community gathering place.