Welcome to the Courtyards at the intersection of 9th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. This project uses existing design elements and principles to curate the intersection by introducing an identity that is repeated in different forms for different use.
The history section notes the reason for the large sidewalk widths of 9th street “those sidewalk widths were considered the ‘courtyards’ of the properties facing 9th street and still exist today.” It is with those sidewalk widths that currently generate an overabundance of asphalt that this intersection is given its identity. Use of street furniture, colored asphalt, and portable plant boxes will create courtyards for the different users of this intersection.
To serve the activities of those coming and going via the above ground subway a transient courtyard will be created under the subway overpass to create an atmosphere for temporary and spontaneous interaction to occur. In order to achieve this space, it is pertinent to remove car parking in this courtyard and make it a dedicated pedestrian area. The mural in this courtyard is by 4th avenue resident Simone Lourenco, titled “Golden Field” it serves as the inspiration for the color theme throughout. Additionally, street furniture, overpass plant growth, and a pedestrian walkway connecting the two sides of the overpass will facilitate new business stalls, discourage litter, and provide a safe entrance and exit to the subway.
As Tom Vanderbilt examines in his book “Traffic” turn lanes do not allow for twice as many cars to turn and back up traffic in other directions, so, to create safe pedestrian crossing courtyards, the turn lanes of 4th avenue have been removed in favor of a wide median. This median will create pedestrian courtyards by providing a safe place to wait during the cross.
Colored asphalt has been used for both decoration as well as safety; the 9th street bike lane lacks both. Along with widening the bike lane, turquoise blue colored asphalt is both an activity color and evocation of the link to the Gowanus canal. It is therefore the color chosen for the bike lane on 9th street which will service bike courtyards consisting of bike parking structures and benches to rest or plan a route.
The historical significance of courtyards in this neighborhood should be reflected by the residents on 9th street. Currently, asphalt paved front courtyards are kept for car parking or trash storage instead of a place for leisure or social interaction between neighbors. How about seeing what $200 can do for your courtyard at IKEA? Residents need encouragement to spruce up their front courtyards using landscaping, outdoor furniture, lighting and color. Who better to do so than IKEA – and a much more relevant corporate sponsor than the irrelevant advertising for luxury condos pervasive throughout the area.
These courtyards will bring eyes to the street providing an element of safety that is sustainable and will continue to aid the intersection’s growth towards a more pedestrian friendly space while still accommodating cars and trucks as guests.