Contradictory Collect

We are interested in, and taken by, the pond's relationship to humanity and its needs/values over time. We are mapping human priority in relation to our ground using Collect Pond as a microcosm of that concept. Over time humanity has moved from needing, to respecting, to neglecting, to despising the ground. In Manhattan, Collect Pond has been a victim of this pipeline, eventually proving so resilient that no structure could actually be built on the site. The city has then paid homage to the pond (when given no other option) in the form of a crude park that does not even have water. Our proposal brings attention back to the ground, more than just attention, giving priority to the pond in the civic center of Manhattan. Our design exists in two parts, both working together yet presenting distinct architectures. The ground plane presents an archaeological digging up of the pond to bring it back to the surface, of both the site and our collective consciousness. The form remains curvilinear, creating spaces for surrounding communities to occupy and explore. The ground floor allows for night markets and other community programs that compliment the programs found higher up in the structure. As one moves up the structure on winding ramps one will find dispersed community gardens, maintained by local NGOs and residents of adjacent communities, such as Chinatown to the east. The architecture is defined by vertical and horizontal wooden beams that house within them our community kitchens, community event spaces, community gardens, and our water tank that utilizes the pond to feed these various programs. This proposal hopes to shift the mindset of Man towards its earth, using Collect Pond as a clear example of how we can understand its place in our lives.