The new design embraces "a classic arch shape."
Per the document at the Department of Design and Construction:
An arch shape pays homage to both the original structure and classic bandshells while creating opportunities for physical access and sight lines to the waterfront.
• Clearly Address the Main Seating Area:The front arch is on the axis with the main seating area and is scaled to provide a sense of arrival as one enters from the Corlears Hook bridge.• Engage the Waterfront:Views to the waterfront are framed by an arch parallel to the esplanade. This arch is lower than the front, creating a more intimate experience near the water. An accessible path and stairs connect the stage to the esplanade and reinforce this design as a multi-purpose bandshell and waterfront pavilion.• Create a Sense of Lightness and Openness:An open-arch scheme allows for greater visibility and connectivity at the stage level. This approach also creates separation between the overlapping arches above, allowing light and air to enter while keeping the rain out.• Perform Acoustically:The structure is designed to direct sound toward the seating and landscape. This will improve the sound quality for small, un-amplified events while mitigating sound projections toward the upland neighborhood.
There's a Public Design Commission hearing on Monday at 11:30 a.m. about the proposed new amphitheater. The commission is accepting public comments. Find info on attending in person or via Zoom at this link.
Workers finished demolishing the previous amphitheater, which dated to 1941, in late December. (Meanwhile, asbestos abatement continues at the site near Corlears Hook.)
In June 2021, the city came up with $4.83 million to include a roof over the new amphitheater. (Previous renderings did not have a roof.)
The new amphitheater is part of the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project in East River Park. Workers will bury the 57.5-acre land under fill and elevate it by 8-to-10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges. The city has said they will maintain public access to a minimum of 42 percent of the park throughout construction, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
H/T @tfine & @ChrisRyanAction
This is sad.
ReplyDeleteHundreds of irreplaceable 80 year old healthy, cooling, water absorbing trees were destroyed when...
July 15, 2022 - "HEAT kills more people in an average year than any other type of extreme weather."
"Flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning might come to mind when considering the types of weather that can turn deadly, but it turns out that more Americans are killed by HEAT than any other type of extreme weather"
https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/heat-deadliest-weather-united-states
"One mature tree can produce the same cooling effect as 10 room-sized air conditioners. "
https://greenblue.com/na/9-reasons-our-cities-need-mature-urban-trees/
Well said! We will not forget!
DeleteFive million don’t buy much roof!
ReplyDeleteI am old enough that I need a real seat, not sitting on a lawn. They could put more seats up front and have the lawn in back, the way many performing arts venues are arranged. Also, while the arches are attractive, they don’t look like they’d provide any real protection from rain for the stage. That seems like a fatal flaw.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the exoskeleton of a giant lobster.....Not a fan of the vanilla white. I think it would look better if they splashed ten different colors of paint on it plus it would act as a frame to accentuate the river view....and this: The smaller arch "creates a more *intimate experience* near the waterfront.".....
ReplyDeleteComing to you soon; first shows scheduled for 2035 if all goes well.
ReplyDelete"Scaled to provide a sense of arrival"? For the performer or audience? Lol, that's stated as if it's a novel feature that's not included in typical amphitheater designs. But I'm glad they're including one.
ReplyDeleteI hear there's going to be bottle service for groups of 6 or more.
ReplyDeleteThe picture shows trees. I guess the artist who rendered this wasn’t made aware that lumberjack Carlina passed thru
ReplyDelete"Engage the waterfront" and "Create a sense of lightness and openness"? Architect-speak is such inane gibberish, IMO. There's NO ROOF, DUH! You *forgot* what this space is actually for. It's like designing a table that has no tabletop.
ReplyDeleteOnly a PROFESSIONAL architect can design a performance space with no real roof; if it's windy or raining, the show likely will NOT go on.
Unbelievable, just effin' unbelievable.
We just want our pack back asap
ReplyDeleteMyopic. Before this is build and trees have grown half-way, planning will have to start about tearing it all down, adding a yet higher landfill or finding alternate protections for the surges post-2050.
ReplyDeleteLooks good to me!
ReplyDeleteThe original amphitheater could seat 2,500. This new amphitheater seats about 400 and with lawn capacity, rises to about 900 people. The cover on the original amphitheater meant amplified performances in questionable weather could be easily accommodated.
ReplyDelete"Hostile architecture" isn't just about spikes on ledges or the removal of seating from Penn Station. It's also about creating public spaces that preclude large and sometimes noisy gatherings.
In the end, the fault lies not with the designers, who closely followed the direction of their client to reduce the venue's capacity and functionality. I'm told that community leaders were closely involved in the design process and approved this at every step. Congratulations!
Did people complain about noise in the park?
DeleteActually, you and everyone can comment on this (bad) design of an amphitheater on Sept. 12th 11:30am at the Public Design Commission Meeting. The East River Park Amp Design is on the agenda. This meeting is being held in-person at Public Design Commission Board Room on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Members of the public can attend & give testimony in-person or Zoom. Sign up here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/designcommission/downloads/pdf/9-12-22-Public-Agenda.pdf
DeleteWaiting for the ESCR/REBNY/Construction union shills to show up on this thread.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, never mind, one did show up.
I think it is designed after the flexible ribs of a large water animal like a Whale Shark!
ReplyDeleteImagine you're beneath the amphitheater and look up and it's as though you were consumed by a whale and you're soon to be digested, and well you know the rest.
@1:01 pm Community members had a great deal of input into the design and purposes of the amphitheater. Who better to weigh in on this?
ReplyDeleteWhen and who? I can’t imagine anyone who has expertise in this area would approve this design. “Members of the community” aka the vibrant LES music scene are still bitter about the destruction of the Tompkins Square Park bandshell. Whoever approved this design must not go to very many live performances.
DeleteRumor has that "park killer Carlina" has her eyes on the Amazon now, she finds it so "inspirational"
ReplyDelete@5:52 pm
ReplyDelete>>Community members had a great deal of input into the design and purposes of the amphitheater. Who better to weigh in on this?
In order to enter a dialogue you have to be fluent in the language. As a designer, I can state with certainty that agencies and firms know how to package their presentations to get the outcomes they want. There's an asymmetry of information and experience and those with less always lose. That's why the capacity is described as "1000+". You have eyes. Count the seats.
So, will this project coincide with the raising of the park once it is complete or will it happen much later depending on public or private funding? Given the glacial pace the city is moving at and the obscene amounts of money already allocated for East River Park development, I highly doubt this amphitheater is at the top of their list. I am pissed. So many beautiful, important trees were demolished giving wildlife with less places for refuge. It will take numerous years before any of this is done if ever it is done. Who knows how much it will cost the tax payers? What is even more fucked up is that individuals such as Carlina Rivera and Bill DeBlassio who either are no longer in public office or are on their way out were the catalysts for this nightmare.
ReplyDeleteThis amphitheater will not amplify anything, which is what an amphitheater is designed to do.
ReplyDeleteThe worst design possible......this is what we call a "camel" ie "an elephant designed by a committee". It's hard to think of a more lumpy ugly concrete structure.... looks like a failing project in an 8th grade design class....
ReplyDeleteI wish they hadn't torn out all of those beautiful trees. But I like the design of the amphitheater. It's simple like the one before.
ReplyDeleteDesign is constructed to discourage big concert events? why not put clear transparent roofing in the ribs where it is empty space, to let light in?
ReplyDeleteOtherwise its just a frame for a bandshell- not a bandshell. Seems that is what they want
clear design w security in mind.
ReplyDeletemake sure the security drones and cameras and law enforcement all have access & a Clearview.
Those trees in the design are what they might look like 30 years from now. What a scam. On a more positive note, glad Carloina came in a distant 4th in the Congressional race, even with all those real estate dollars. Shows future candidates that selling out the environment doesn't help get you elected, even with corporate dollars flowing in.
ReplyDeleteI like it. Good visibility and cool design.
ReplyDelete@12:43 am An amphitheater is designed to have seating around or on both sides, as indicated by the Greek "amphi. "Amplify" is not part of its meaning or design.
ReplyDeleteI quite like the proposed design concept as well. I just don't think it has any practical value. No way that semi enclosed space will amplify the sound outward nor will it keep out the rain and certainly not the wind. As far "visibility" of the East River what's the point of that? You go to the show to see the show. There thousands of areas the of visibility of the River all over the park. Should all the trees be chopped down as well in order to maximize visibility? Wack.
ReplyDeleteThis is an untenable design on several fronts. It is clearly intended for only young audiences as there is no seating with backs for older attendees. It is all cement which is not only unforgiving comfort wise but reflects light and heat making it unbearable on hot sunny days. There is no shade, and, has been pointed out, no overhead protection against rain and other elements. I question whether this would have gotten off the drawing board if this were the west side waterfront. We are not second class New Yorkers. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteWe will never forget how this vital green space was destroyed. Carlina Rivera at least is at the end of a failed political career, but that is small comfort for our community loss. Shame.
ReplyDeleteš¤®HOODWINKED & living the nightmare
ReplyDeletea generation of LES kids will live w/o our dear park and all it meant to us...oh and w/o shade, except the shade thrown over this whole fiasco as 'design planning'