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21st Century Town Square Prototype

  • PROJECT ROLES
  • Tom Kundig, Principal
  • Alan Maskin, Principal

Project Details

Olson Kundig Architects collaborated with branding and design firm Hornall Anderson to conceptualize an architectural strategy for 21st century American cities: revitalizing empty urban lots with dynamic public gathering spaces.

In this town square prototype, an empty urban space is activated with flexible modules for music, art, dining and learning, all of which rotate, expand and contract via an industrial lift. A sloping green roof serves as a venue for outdoor events, provides space for urban agriculture, and connects visitors with nature. The glass façade allows passersby to view inside activities and serves as an adjustable passive ventilation system.

The project is intended to break down the traditional demarcations between inside/outside, digital/analog, and high-tech/high-touch. Within this approach, elements of kinetic architecture morph to accommodate varied activities over time. Users are able to shape their own experience—and, often, their physical environment—by participating in public events, conversation, performance, and social media. The prototype is designed to be adaptable and adjust to the unique personality of individual cities.