Main Street Landing Co. was committed to private development that welcomed a diverse public. They engaged several design firms to collaborate with the clients on a master plan which would embody a variety of visions. Six months were devoted to site analysis and meeting with interested public and private groups to solicit their visions of the waterfront. The Site Analysis Document emphasized historical patterns, linkages between city and water's edge (including paths, gateways, edges and focal points) as well as the physical, historical and psychic context. Another six months was spent developing the Master Plan Document which defined a mixed use project reflecting historical patterns and the need for linkages identified in the analysis. The three design firms were each assigned a portion of the master plan and began work independently on their projects while continuing to work as a group in order to develop individual visions and approaches that still related to each other and the whole.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Site Plan. The overall siting is determined by a series of public paths moving across the site to create clear linkages between city and water's edge. Union Station sits like a rock in the stream of Main Street; the CornerStone Building is inflected to allow movement to flow around the building. The main entry aligns with the axis of Lake Street. The addition to Union Station acts as both a public viewing terrace and a grand staircase. The Wing Building defines the edge of the bike path and commuter rail on one side and a service alley on the other side. Various terraces, bridges and stairs further connect the three buildings with each other and allow a variety of linkages through the site. Parking is hidden from view under the CornerStone Building.

Multi Modal Transportation Building. A one story addition to the west will transform Union Station into a Multi Modal Transportation Center which will house facilities for a commuter train and serve as a connection point to bus (with bike carriers), taxi, ferry and pedestrian links. Shower, storage, and bike rack facilities will allow bicyclers to take advantage of the bike path and connect with other modes of transport. The building will also continue its role as an incubator office space for artists and small businesses. Construction will start this fall.
Wing Building. This two story, 10,000 sf, wood framed, metal sheathed structure contains artist studios, shops and cafe's on the first floor. Spaces front directly on the bike path or service alley as well as an internal street. The second floor contains 4 affordable condominiums and one office. All have private entries and exterior decks overlooking the lake. The Wing Building's forms, colors and materials recall ships, trains and aquatic life forms.

CornerStone Building. This three story, 32,000 sf, steel framed building sits atop a two story, 95 car, 40,000 sf parking garage. Two stories contain retail, offices and a restaurant while the third consists of four luxury condominiums with exterior terraces. The massing, setbacks and material changes scale the building to its immediate neighbors. The brick sections are further broken down in plan and fenestration to relate to the historical buildings on Battery Street. The cedar shingled portions relate more in form to the ferry boats plying Lake Champlain. The overall effect of the building is as if a wooden ark were embedded in a traditional historical block; finally at rest or perhaps struggling to break free.

CRITERIA

Sensitivity of the Design to Water. Although this project is set back from the water's edge, the site plan functions as a crucial link between city and water. The building shapes are filled with allusions to water elements such as boats, waves and fish.

Quality and Harmony of Design. The building shapes are not arbitrary but were shaped by forces moving across the site and the provision of public spaces. The buildings incorporate variation and individuality adding interest to the eye and landscape but also a great deal of harmony through common circulation systems, recurring forms such as curves and towers, and details such as lights and railing colors.

Civic Contribution. Demonstration that a private project could feel public and not an exclusive enclave is critical. The project includes not only mixed uses and incomes. By creating linkages and a transportation hub a private development gives back to the city.

Environmental. Stormwater runoff is captured in a cistern and then filtered a stormwater garden before reentering the city system. Insofar as possible materials were evaluated for environmental impact: Walls are insulated with dense pack cellulose; toilet partitions are made from recycled milk bottles; roof terrace tiles are made from recycled tires. A central, gas fired, heating and cooling system serves all three buildings.

Collaboration/Diversity. This project revolved around collaboration between the three architects, client and the countless meetings with groups and individuals to analyze the site and the city's needs before beginning design. The design has continuity, but the actual buildings reflect the diversity of each architect's individual interpretation of the master plan. Making the public feel comfortable to follow through and around the site as well as the mix of uses and incomes provides for a great deal of diversity on this site.