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MCSimon Via Flickr

Norwegian architects Snøhetta has won the Times Square Reconstruction Project to create a series of pedestrian plazas along Broadway, including Times Square. The winning team led by Snøhetta also comprises WXY Architecture and Design, Weidlinger Associates (engineers), Matthew Nielsen (landscape), Billings Jackson Design (industrial) and Bexel (audio-visual).

NEW YORK – Billings Jackson Design is part of the team led by architects Snøhetta that has won the design competition to create pedestrian plazas along a section of New York’s Broadway, including Times Square. The team will be responsible for improving the pedestrian experience in the plazas as well as the infrastructure for the various events held in Times Square throughout the year.

The transformation of Broadway between Herald Square and Columbus Circle into a pedestrian boulevard began in May 2009 with a pilot study established by Mayor Bloomberg. Billings Jackson worked on surface treatments, zoning and street furniture for this temporary trial, joining the Snøhetta team when Bloomberg confirmed that the removal of vehicular traffic would be made permanent.

The design competition was organised under Bloomberg’s ‘Design and Construction Excellence Program’ by the City Department of Design and Construction (DDC). Last week DDC Commissioner David J Burney and New York City DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced that the Snøhetta team has won the project, which will comprise world- class plazas, seating, paving and infrastructure. Construction will start in 2012 and in the interim a temporary surface treatment entitled ‘Cool Water, Hot Island’ by artist Molly Dilworth is to be installed.

Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins commented “We’re thrilled that the City has made a clear commitment to quality by choosing a world-class design team for one of the world’s most iconic public spaces.”

The winning team also includes Weidlinger Associates, WXY Architecture and Design, Matthews Nielsen and Bexel.

Image: MCSimon

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