BIG

Marina Lofts . Fort Lauderdale

BIG . + archdaily

How can we create a public life along the riverfront without sacrificing the vibrant marine activities of Fort Lauderdale?

Situated in an industrial gap in Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk park, Marina Lofts stitches together the final arm of the now-fragmented public space. The two initial housing towers are treated as one continuous building "breaking" at the center to form a generous opening allowing pedestrian activity to extend between the buildings and out to the waterfront The site is currently home to a 250-boat garage. Instead of demolishing this facility to make way for super-efficient housing, the proposal straddles the entrance to the garage door allowing boats to pass beneath its legs. In a city where daily life shifts seamlessly between water and land, Marina Lofts augments both, contributing to the vibrant density and connected public space along the New River.

Partners In Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen
Project Leader: Daniel Kidd
Contributors: Chris Falla, Suemin Jeon, Andreia Teixeira, Jenny Shen, Marcella Martinez, Michael Zhang