A competition aimed at revamping a vacant marine transfer station on 135th Street selected its winning entries, the Hudson River could become the site of a vertical farm, a movie and entertainment venue, or a culinary center.
Linearscape Architecture, a New York- and Shanghai-based firm, was awarded $5,000 for its entry “Sym’bio’pia.” Sym’bio’pia’s dominant features are five centrally located towers to accommodate hydroponic farming—a growing trend in dense urban landscapes, where it is difficult to farm in soil. It includes plans for a culinary learning center, a bike rental and repair shop, and a farmer’s market.
The redesigned marine transfer station would be both an economic boon and a recreational destination for Harlemites. The site of the old station is only accessible from a remote part of 12th Avenue, underneath the Riverside Drive viaduct and away from the hustle and bustle of Broadway.
The competition, which began accepting proposals in October 2011 from architecture students and licensed professional architects with 10 or more years of experience, generated 98 entries from 16 countries, attracted entries from Iran, Italy, and Australia.
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