Project Description
Rutherford Avenue, currently dominated by vehicular infrastructure, offers limited space and comfort for pedestrians. This project begins by identifying noise as both a symptom and catalyst of urban imbalance.
By integrating hydrodynamic thinking, the design transforms runoff into a resource, directing stormwater into a sunken garden embedded within the existing road tunnel. This not only mitigates urban flooding and heat stress but also creates a sonically insulated and ecologically regenerative space.
The project reintroduces water and vegetation as active agents in healing the fragmented urban fabric, restoring a portion of the historic wetland that once wove through the site. Topographic manipulations and planting strategies serve both ecological and acoustic functions, reshaping the corridor into a quieter, cooler, and more socially connected environment. Beyond environmental remediation, the proposal reimagines the role of infrastructure in fostering resilience, multisensory experiences, and a more equitable urban realm.