Holland Tunnel is a notoriously gridlocked gateway to New York City that leads to three major highways. Routinely high levels of pedestrian and automobile traffic congest the tunnel’s entrance, creating an unsafe and unsightly environment. How we could alleviate this overcrowding in an aesthetically pleasing way?
We imagined being plucked from the chaos of the city and transported into a green oasis. To make this dream a reality, we designed a living, breathing barrier: a sprawling public park that elevates pedestrians, both literally and figuratively, above one of the most hectic exit nodes in Manhattan.
Inspired by the sinuous flows of traffic into the mouth of the tunnel, our concept for Holland Park is a unique space that grows like three leaves over its surroundings. Eliminating dangerous pedestrian crossings and traffic interruptions, the gentle ramps lift visitors from the street and carry them into the heart of the park. Each ramp mimics the shape of the roadways below, forming four distinct, different-shaped stepped sections that lend themselves to activity and repose.