Guest Cities Exhibition (2023): Parallel Grounds - Cities between Density and Public Value

Steven Holl’s architectural journey underscores a profound relationship with the land and an enduring commitment to integrating landscape and architecture. 

In this exhibition, he seeks to illuminate how the Z-dimensional architectural philosophy evolved in synergy with the terrain, with a vivid display of the firm’s sketches and projects.

Urban spaces inherently evolve over time. What may start as overlooked or enclosed areas can often transform into pulsating public hubs that infuse life into cities. The courtyards of Berlin, primarily birthed during its expansive growth phases, have seamlessly woven themselves into the city’s tapestry, bridging neighborhoods both physically and socially while also serving ecological purposes.

In a deep dive into this transformative journey of Berlin, we’ll examine four representative cases, illustrating their rich history and the evolution of city’s physical structure into a treasured urban alcove. This exploration is poised to spark dialogues on how urban void can be reimagined to breathe life back into the cityscape.

The Chicago River, tainted and made inaccessible post-industrialization in the 1850s, has embarked on a 21st-century rejuvenation journey, repurposing the riverfront as a civic expanse. In an effort to revert the river to its natural wetland habitat from the last ice age, SOM in collaboration with Urban Rivers designed a sprawling 2,000-square-foot floating eco-park.

The 'Wild Mile' initiative aspired to foster community engagement, amplify river access, and craft an environment where nature and wildlife flourish. This undertaking involved pinpointing and reviving native plant species across diverse river stretches. 

Features such as floating modular platforms, tethered habitats, access ramps, observation decks, and docking units can be scaled and modified based on local demand and financial constraints. This showcases a blueprint for reinstating natural habitats utilizing a replicable design that doesn’t always hinge on cutting-edge technology.

The exhibition delves into the necessity of creative 'restrictions' and balancing freedoms to rejuvenate vital city areas like riversides and train stations. 

This exposition underscores that impactful and sustainable urban evolution demands designs that involve a broad spectrum of city stakeholders, interpret regulations insightfully, and expand upon them.

Christian Dimmer and Keigo Kobayashi delve into this intricate dynamic, focusing on the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. Their exploration challenges the dual nature of POPS, probing whether such spaces genuinely embody the spirit of publicness in urban societies.

The artist illustrates how Hong Kong underscores the potential and resilience of public spaces, even without conventional groundings like plazas. Reflecting this, the sketches showcase the intricate interconnections of the city's foundations, offering a three-dimensional portrayal of Hong Kong's reimagined ground.

Representing the most extensive private real estate development in U.S. history, and ranking among New York City's most intricate construction undertakings, Hudson Yards seamlessly integrates with the renowned High Line to its south and is punctuated by towering office edifices on either side. 

The visionary transformation of a once-neglected railroad depot into a pulsating hub adorned with public spaces, cultural initiatives, and enveloping skyscrapers underscores the imperative of thoughtful planning in grand-scale urban development.

How can urban development be harmonized with the preservation and enhancement of a historic park? City Park, a revered 200-year-old green oasis in Budapest, is at the crossroads of rejuvenating its lush landscapes and recreational features while simultaneously modernizing its long-standing institutional foundation. The architects sought a rejuvenation strategy that melds reverence for the past with contemporary needs.

To safeguard the park's verdant expanses, the design approach leveraged existing structures and peripheral areas, and looked below ground level to ensure that new edifices did not overshadow the tree canopy. This vision encompassed projects ranging from the restoration of a century-old art museum to the inception of SOU Fujimoto's House of Music Hungary. 

The rejuvenation project, dubbed LIGET BUDAPEST, has birthed an array of cultural hubs, flaunted the genius of globally renowned architects, and epitomized the synthesis of a verdant park with cultural landmarks.