'the grand resource' by austin + mergold LLC
image courtesy austin + mergold LLC

earlier this year the bronx museum of the arts held an architectural competition to
redesign the grand concourse in the heart of the bronx.

philadelphian firm austin + mergold LLC were amongst the seven winning finalists,
who will show their project at the museum in november this year.

for 'the grand resource' they suggested to install an array of open-structure towers
supporting powerful (but silent) wind-turbines along the whole stretch of the grand
concourse. which will be new york's newest monument and a clean-energy generating
facility. the grand resources will provide sustainable energy for the needs of the city
and be an example to the rest of the country and the world.

locally, the grand resource will support the bustling cultural scene in the bronx.
the open-diagrid turbine towers will support an elevated infrastructure of gardens,
cafes and observation decks (not unlike the high line in manhattan). this infrastructure
will separate pedestrians from traffic below and around while still maintaining visual
contact with the architectural monumental heritage of the old grand concourse.

they based their design around the citys' seal (which incorporates a windmill) therefore
making the symbol meaningful again 400 years after it was founded by the dutch
as new amsterdam.


'the grand resource' from street level
image courtesy austin + mergold LLC



'the grand resource' cross sectional view
image courtesy austin + mergold LLC




'the grand resource' - new york city seal
image courtesy austin + mergold LLC


'the grand resource' - new york city seal which the project is based on
image courtesy austin + mergold LLC