The 2008 Annual Design Charrette
Green City

You can download a PDF version of this article. • We want to give special thanks to the New York Building Foundation for their generous support of this event.

On June 3, 2008, our design challenge, the "Annual Charrette," gathered 100 students from Fannie Lou Hamer Middle School, I.S. 131, M.S. 45, Muscota New School, P.S. 22, and P.S. 52Q and volunteer architects and engineers from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, New York City Transit, Weidlinger Associates, and several architectural firms to work together on a day-long design challenge to build a "green city."

We selected the theme of "green city" because the principles and practices of "sustainable design" are the hottest topics in the study of the built environment, and we wanted to educate our students and teachers about the ways they can create a healthier environment in which all forms of life can prosper.

Here was the day's challenge.

THE CHALLENGE:

Your team has been hired to take one section of a community and re-design it as an "eco-friendly community." Your plot will include the following structures:

• residences -- places where people can live
• businesses -- places where people can work and shop
• a community building -- we'll tell you which one
• green space -- open space for people to play, eat, sleep, and so on
• ways for people to get around -- road, paths, etc.

THE REQUIREMENTS:

To make your section "green," you have to use what we call "The Five EZ's":

1. "EZ Riding": Cars have been banned, but bikes could be one way of getting around -- and think of others, especially for people who are very young or very old.
2. "EZ On The Eye": Everything in your section must look aesthetically pleasing and use as many local materials as possible
3. "EZ Living": Everyone has easy access to the "main artery"
4. "EZ Food": People must have healthful food nearby
5. "EZ Energy": All environmentally friendly forms of energy -- this could include collecting rainwater, solar panels, recycling, composting, and windmills

IN ADDITION:

• Build to Scale: 1" = 5'-0"
• Travel "paths": Be sure your "plot" can access the main travel "artery".
• Think green with your building materials – Don’t waste!

And At The End of the Day...

A quote from a long-time volunteer at the Charrette sums up its excitement and value:

Charrette reminded me why I chose the path I did towards my profession. I saw myself in the eyes of the intelligent and motivated young people who took part in this wonderful event. Teamwork and creativity at its best. Can't wait till next year.

Paul Lucien, P.E., Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Engineering/Architecture Design Division

Special Thanks: Len Fusco, GF55 Partners (donation of modeling clay); Tod Rittenhouse, Weidlinger Associates (donation of butcher paper)

For more information, contact the Center. You can also see a slideshow of photos from the Charrette (photos by David Wanderman, www.dwphoto.com. (You will be taken to a new page.)

The Salvadori Center is located on the campus of City College of New York, in Wingate Hall 02. You can download a campus map and directions (in PDF).