B2R – Brightline to Riverwalk
Fort Lauderdale Urban Street Shade International Architecture Competition
3rd Prize Professional Category
2nd Prize Student/Open Category
2019
Project Team: Estefanía Mayorga, Alessandro Pupillo
At the point where the interaction between the City core and the Brightline station area is taking place, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, and its pedestrian experience, is fragmented by the stream of cars and discontinuous sidewalks along Broward Boulevard. The interconnection to the Downtown’s core is incomplete and unsafe. The B2R (Brightline to Riverwalk) is positioned at the intersection of what will be the nexus of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, mediating the Brightline and Riverwalk experiences for residents, workers, and visitors and realizing the economic development opportunities created by the years of investment. The volume was conceived as a direct extrusion from the existing elevated Brightline waiting lounge. The proposed addition features a new terminal for the Brightline station, a bicycle/scooter rental station, and a series of leasable areas for public/private-sector functions and rest areas to enhance user experience. The terminus bounds the Riverwalk, providing a streamlined connection to and from the New River with an access point on Himmarshee Street. A series of vertically aligned openings scattered along the top and bottom platforms provide natural light and space for hanging gardens. Its elevated nature protects against high tides and storms. The B2R creates convenient and safe access for users of all abilities day and night. A system of steel trusses and platforms allows the structure to span long distances, minimizing the need for ground supports. A protective coat of fiberglass prevents the steel from rusting over time while referencing the materiality of yachts and local maritime craftsmanship. With this context-sensitive pedestrian connection, Downtown Fort Lauderdale will not only overcome the division that splits the urban experience but it will also define its gateway and identity by instilling the virtues of a worldly and connected city.
