Archinect
James Seung Hwan Kim

James Seung Hwan Kim

New York, NY, US

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Wind Urbanism - Manhattan

Topology is an abstract term designating a continuity of surfaces. It is generally employed in the field of mathematics to describe an entity of organized spatial relationships within surface structures.

Topology, however in my sense is not just about descriptive geometry and does not deal with technical questions about continuous surfaces in mathematics, it also pays greater attention to the deeper understanding of urbanism and helps us grasp much about its making as about the perception of intrinsic beauty.

In this project, the concept of urban topology is meant to weave meaningful symbolism back into particular place by understanding the conditions of the site, and by modifying the inherent significance of Manhattan’s urban environment as they interact with the environmental force – Wind. This is much more significant than the mere transformation of existing urban environment into simply a man-made urban design that lacks significant meaning. With tools

of wind simulation and representation this project focused on the possibility of a new mode of view of Manhattan, where it was not to support an approach to urban design under the guidance of normative methods of functionalism or appearance. Rather, the project was aimed at utilizing the environmental force as a tool capable of responding fully to a continual urban morphological transformation and it is precisely this continuity that gives us more insight and potential when developing an urban topology.

 
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Status: School Project