With Times Square now officially a pedestrian-only zone, the NYC Department of Transportation is looking to implement a massive overhaul to the area. But before that can happen in 2012, they wanted a semi-temporary installation to “refresh and revive” the streetscape. Molly Dilworth, known for her rooftop pour paintings, was recently awarded the first prize for her entry “Cool Water, Hot Island”. Her proposal is a graphical representation of NASA’s infrared satellite data of Manhattan, and appears to be a cool, refreshing river of water flowing down Broadway!
Dilworth’s design is a graphical representation of Manhattan’s urban heat-island effect based on NASA’s infrared satellite data. Manhattan and many other cities like it are warmer than surrounding rural areas because the buildings and surfaces absorb more heat from the sun. Her design draws awareness to the issue and also hopes to help alleviate the effect (a bit). The “design’s color palette of striking blues and light hues reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat—improving the look of these popular pedestrian plazas while making them more comfortable places to sit”
The DOT accepted 150 design submissions to revamp Times Square since it has been transformed to a pedestrian only zone. Dilworth’s proposal, “Cool Water, Hot Island” took first place and is expected to be installed mid-July. Her installation will only be temporary as major reconstruction of the Square is expected to start in 2012. Dillworth, who is already well known for her pour paintings on rooftops, will use a similar technique to create her blue river in Times Square.
+ NYC DOT Time’s Square Winning Design Press Release
+ Molly Dilworth Flickr
Via Metropolis
How about some palm trees in there?
[...] ultimately comes up with for the foot-traffic heavy section of New York. Installation of the “Cool Water, Hot Island” temporary project by Molly Dilworth, which we’ve written about before, is said to happen in [...]