Snohetta’s proposal for the redesign of Times Square aims to simplify and declutter this worldwide renown public space. The Oslo-based architecture office Snohetta presented their redesign proposal of Times Square to a Manhattan community board at the end of last month: A 27 million dollar makeover to one of the world’s top tourist attraction.
Their intention is to upgrade the existing infrastructure and to provide event infrastructure for new public events. In addition the temporary improvements that the City of New York piloted in 2009 - to ban cars from parts of Times Square and pedestrianize a six-block section of Broadway from 42nd to 47th – are to be made permanent.
Snohetta proposes to resurface the existing bright blue plaza with two tones of dark concrete pavers that will be arranged in an alternating brick pattern.
The pavement will in feature small stainless steel that will reflect light off and will create a glamorous effect.
The existing café furniture will be replaced by large slab benches of different sizes. The new benches will divide the space into a central gathering area with dedicated walkways on the sides and will thus ease congestion in the plaza.
The intention is to accommodate different speeds at which people move through Times Square while making the plaza safer and easier for people to get around.
If the redesign proposed by Snohetta is approved by the city the project is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
