This project is a first attempt to create a hyper-density within an
existing urban environment; in order to, consolidate consumption,
encourage social interactivity, and stimulate localized pedestrian
based commerce.

“Nerva” is the creation of a network of multi-use environments
that reside in the uninhabited spaces within the urban fabric. The
proposal is to increase the density of the city in a vertical direction
by taking advantage of elevated pedestrian walk-ways and filling
back alleys with social spaces that encourage interaction and
sense of community.

Vertical densification allows for the transfer
of ideas and resources across many sectors: in this case, sectors
currently trapped above ground with little or no direct physical
access. In addition to the above mentioned, the architecture
will contain the ability to borrow energy resources form one area
and transport these energies to locations or systems, where it
is needed most. These transported energy resources could be
anything: from sunlight and its energy to taking storm water and
transferring it into living machines for purification; or obtaining
heat build-up that is captured on a south facade of one building,
then distributed to the north side of another.

Nerva becomes aconduit or “nervous system” that supports the living urban condition;
regulating and nurturing the efficient urban machine. We
see “Nerva” as a way to reinvigorate the existing urban areas with
public dwellings and public amenities; such as, mass transit at
the pedestrian scale. In some cases, the need for the automobile
could be greatly reduced or eliminated. The intent is to reverse
the popular trend of suburban sprawl and to encourage a resurgence
of urban living at its most densely sustainable limit.