THE STRAWBERRY EFFECT
NYC W34 Hudson River / High Line +
Istanbul Technical University, School of Architecture
Location: New York City, NY/USA
Type: Mixed-Use, Residential, Cultural, Public Space (Academic)
Year: 2016
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ayse Senturer
1st Prize: Archiprix Turkey, National Graduation Projects Competition, 2016
“The Strawberry Effect” takes place in the factory of the man-made experience where the natural ceased to exist, besides the “Hudson River”, at the end of the “High Line” promenade.
The relationship between New York City and nature depends on artificial experiences, just like acquired strawberry flavour. Imagine in the early 60’s, when strawberry flavours were not common. People would have to say, “Wow, this artificial flavour just tastes like real strawberry!”. Fast forward some 50 years to now, when you would hear: “Actual fruit of strawberry doesn’t taste like instant flavour anymore.” It is an acquired taste. We have slowly acquired a taste of a strawberry far from the true fruit.“ Totally designed instant chemicals, but we call it “strawberry” flavour. It reminds living in NYC.
“The Strawberry Effect” project investigates artificial environments of the future through the lens of computational thinking and speculates about innovative synthetic materials with the help of bio-chemical experiments. As a catalyzer, the program includes art & culture facilities in the main space and aims to re-invent a new social tool for NYC.
The relationship between New York City and nature depends on artificial experiences, just like acquired strawberry flavour. Imagine in the early 60’s, when strawberry flavours were not common. People would have to say, “Wow, this artificial flavour just tastes like real strawberry!”. Fast forward some 50 years to now, when you would hear: “Actual fruit of strawberry doesn’t taste like instant flavour anymore.” It is an acquired taste. We have slowly acquired a taste of a strawberry far from the true fruit.“ Totally designed instant chemicals, but we call it “strawberry” flavour. It reminds living in NYC.
“The Strawberry Effect” project investigates artificial environments of the future through the lens of computational thinking and speculates about innovative synthetic materials with the help of bio-chemical experiments. As a catalyzer, the program includes art & culture facilities in the main space and aims to re-invent a new social tool for NYC.
CONCLUSION: [_report:]
The main social elements of Manhattan’s city structure such as “Central Park”, “High Line Promenade” and in the future “Lowline Park” are man-made environments that pretend to be natural. Designers of the “High Line Park” state that it is highly-designed for looking natural, just like “Central Park.” This city transforms a post-industrial railroad to a promenade with wild meadows, creates forest from a rectangular lot. What if we try to design an environment that doesn’t pretend to be natural? It means designing artificial experiences and synthetic ecology, designing instant flavour without imitating strawberry.
Society dissolves in a synthetic ecosystem just like instant strawberry flavour. The project mainly uses primitive cells which are called “Protocell” and chemical compositions as an indicator of the site’s specificity. For example, industrial wastes of Hudson River are considered as post-industrial heritage and play a vital role in the project’s synthetic environments. “Protocell” solution pipes leak chemical compositions and these instant chemicals activate the process of crystallization. Crystals cling to the skin as a riverbed. After a while, architectural space which is frequently used begins to solidify itself with its intelligent skin.