Lumino-City

Our goal is for our park Lumino-City to serve a purpose and become a destination, not just a well-planned, coherent space. Our park is in New York City at the Robert F Wanger Jr. Park. There are 5 follies located on the site with the focus being light and community. The entry is the first feature. It is a helix that gradually collapses, and the wires become denser as you get closer to the park. 

Two paths make up the park. The primary pathway, which features the essence of the follies, is illuminated by LED lights that are embedded in the ground and fade in and out. The main route leads you to all five follies and around the site. The secondary paths are designed to lead you around the site in a less ordered manner; they are less structured. Small lanterns that alternate sides at each crossroads light the auxiliary path. These lanterns serve as places to sit and relax as well.

Once you enter the site, to the left is the Poets Tower. This beautiful tower is composed much like the entry in its helix form; only the tower sits vertically and the wires are dense all the way through. The Poet’s tower is a place where poets would be welcomed throughout the week to come and do public readings. In addition to offering a weekly opportunity for poets/ singers to perform, the tower doubles as seats and an extension of the property, allowing guests to get a better look at the bay it is situated on. The bay allows for a more quiet location to help distance the tower from the rest of the park. Visitors can enjoy the outdoors and hear from the next generation of writers in a peaceful setting thanks to the towers' location. 

As you move forward, you'll encounter the Viewing Arcs. This is a very special location as it frames the Statue of Liberty and is a place for people to come and post their work. The arcs become a gallery space for people to come and post their work. It is hoped that this will grow into a place where people may come and find inspiration in the artwork displayed on the walls, observing the emergence of the next generation. For this reason, we positioned it extending out to the Statue of Liberty, offering hope and promise for the future and what it might hold. An emblem of harmony, peace, and hope. We hope that the perspective arcs will serve as a starting point for discussions and a space for individuals to reflect, get inspired, and feel hopeful.

The Light Hub is the next destination on the route. Everyone is free to express themselves here, and everyone is welcome. No barriers, no boundaries—just a platform for those without one. The top and bottom of the Light Hub are separate components, unlike the other follies. The floor is divided to allow you to see what's below, and there is seating on the top. They are connected although disconnected. The idea is that discussions can take place and or be a space where individuals can come relax, chat, and catch up, it could even be a gathering spot for groups to discuss current issues. The second half is underneath resembling a cave. The under part will have interactive lights weaving throughout the structure. You can unwind in an enclosed space while gazing up at the people on the upper half or out at the water's edge.

The last folly would be the Amphidive. A play on amphitheaters and excavating the earth. The Amphidive is a stage recessed into the floor with seating stepping downward as well. This is a place where following the theme of the park becomes a place for upcoming performers to practice. The stage would be welcome to anyone who needed a space to rehearse lines, practice a dance, or put on a mini performance. It is hoped that the stage will serve as a venue for inspiring and developing talent. It will be a venue for partnerships, where actors and dancers meet.

We believe that our park will serve as a platform for people without one. A place where everyone is welcome and where future generations can grow enthusiastic about their trade.