Crain's Proposal
Overview
Prompted by Crain’s New York Business to address housing solutions for a New York of 9 million inhabitants, C+GA envisioned the creation of new land over existing sunken railroad lines and below-grade highways around the city. There are potentially over 100 miles of sunken areas in NYC. Our proposal re-knits neighborhoods in the Bronx where Metro North’s Park Avenue rail cut currently divides them.
Categories
Design for Adaptability
Urban Planning
Architecture
Modular Design
Date
2017
Client
Crain's Magazine
Problem
Statement
With limited land available, the concept focused on developing housing over sunken rail lines, particularly in the Bronx. The challenge was delivering high-density housing while maintaining rail operations and integrating with neighborhoods.
Process
I analyzed housing demand and mapped infrastructure opportunities across the city, focusing on rail cuts as untapped land. Prefabricated construction methods were explored to minimize disruption and control costs. Design iterations tested modular units to ensure contextual variation and neighborhood fit.
Solution
The proposal envisioned linear developments over rail corridors, supporting thousands of housing units alongside commercial, community, and green spaces. Prefabricated modules allowed efficient construction while integrated open spaces reconnected divided neighborhoods. The design offered a scalable, cost-effective model compared to large-deck developments like Hudson Yards.
Results &
Impact
The project was recognized by Crain’s Magazine as an innovative approach to urban housing. It demonstrated the feasibility of creating new land within existing infrastructure and set a precedent for future large-scale urban strategies.
Crain's Proposal
Overview
Prompted by Crain’s New York Business to address housing solutions for a New York of 9 million inhabitants, C+GA envisioned the creation of new land over existing sunken railroad lines and below-grade highways around the city. There are potentially over 100 miles of sunken areas in NYC. Our proposal re-knits neighborhoods in the Bronx where Metro North’s Park Avenue rail cut currently divides them.
Categories
Design for Adaptability
Urban Planning
Architecture
Modular Design
Date
2017
Client
Crain's Magazine
Problem
Statement
With limited land available, the concept focused on developing housing over sunken rail lines, particularly in the Bronx. The challenge was delivering high-density housing while maintaining rail operations and integrating with neighborhoods.
Process
I analyzed housing demand and mapped infrastructure opportunities across the city, focusing on rail cuts as untapped land. Prefabricated construction methods were explored to minimize disruption and control costs. Design iterations tested modular units to ensure contextual variation and neighborhood fit.
Solution
The proposal envisioned linear developments over rail corridors, supporting thousands of housing units alongside commercial, community, and green spaces. Prefabricated modules allowed efficient construction while integrated open spaces reconnected divided neighborhoods. The design offered a scalable, cost-effective model compared to large-deck developments like Hudson Yards.
Results &
Impact
The project was recognized by Crain’s Magazine as an innovative approach to urban housing. It demonstrated the feasibility of creating new land within existing infrastructure and set a precedent for future large-scale urban strategies.
Crain's Proposal
Overview
Prompted by Crain’s New York Business to address housing solutions for a New York of 9 million inhabitants, C+GA envisioned the creation of new land over existing sunken railroad lines and below-grade highways around the city. There are potentially over 100 miles of sunken areas in NYC. Our proposal re-knits neighborhoods in the Bronx where Metro North’s Park Avenue rail cut currently divides them.
Categories
Design for Adaptability
Urban Planning
Architecture
Modular Design
Date
2017
Client
Crain's Magazine
Problem
Statement
With limited land available, the concept focused on developing housing over sunken rail lines, particularly in the Bronx. The challenge was delivering high-density housing while maintaining rail operations and integrating with neighborhoods.
Process
I analyzed housing demand and mapped infrastructure opportunities across the city, focusing on rail cuts as untapped land. Prefabricated construction methods were explored to minimize disruption and control costs. Design iterations tested modular units to ensure contextual variation and neighborhood fit.
Solution
The proposal envisioned linear developments over rail corridors, supporting thousands of housing units alongside commercial, community, and green spaces. Prefabricated modules allowed efficient construction while integrated open spaces reconnected divided neighborhoods. The design offered a scalable, cost-effective model compared to large-deck developments like Hudson Yards.
Results &
Impact
The project was recognized by Crain’s Magazine as an innovative approach to urban housing. It demonstrated the feasibility of creating new land within existing infrastructure and set a precedent for future large-scale urban strategies.
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© 2025 All rights reserved
Book a call, and I’ll take care of the rest
© 2025 All rights reserved
Book a call, and I’ll take care of the rest
© 2025 All rights reserved