Critic: Enrique Limon

Pratt Institute | 2012

Partners: Sarena Rabinowitz & Braden Caldwell
 

Syndactyl LA is an urban design project addressing the Los Angeles River. The site is between the 4th and 6th street bridge, an area commonly used in Hollywood movies for scenes such as drag races, apocalyptic scenes, or various explosions. The river is a giant concrete ditch, rarely occupied by 
water, and divides East and West LA creating a disconnect between the two demographics. Our project addressed these issues by constructing a flexible surface skin system that functions as both roof structure and landscaping for various programs which bridge the two sides together. The site 
includes a proposed train station, both above and underground, a large amphitheater for cultural use, industrial warehouses, market space, and urban agriculture.

This mixture of programs can be read as one cohesive architecture through the surface structure with the potential to expand down the river along the train tracks for urban growth.