In a unique challenge hosted by SOM, Los Angeles architecture students were invited to submit ideas and inspiration addressing connectivity, placemaking/ programming or technology in the Park, a 37.6-acre open space proposed to be built over the Hollywood (101) Freeway. OVER & ACROSS, is a proposal for the development of an urban park in Hollywood, exploring the concept of sharing economies, connectivity and sustainability through the form of hills and tunnels that run across and underneath the site. A fusion of landscape and architecture in the park yields public green space and accessible roofs that bridge over the highway, seamlessly connecting disrupted parks on the ground level.

To echo the Hollywood hills on the periphery of the city, only one unified geometry spreads through the whole project: hill curves, which bring in natural atmosphere to the community. The hills not only absorbing and projecting urban activities in Hollywood, ranging from film studio, high school, commercial plaza to residential properties; but also orchestrating a variety of public spaces above or inside the volume, including film museum, kid’s playground, amphitheater, leisure plaza, student volunteer hub and observation deck, etc.Benefiting from the large scale of the park, the highest point of observation deck and amphitheater offers a panorama view from downtown LA to the Hollywood Sign.

In order to facilitate sharing economy, a comprehensive zoning plan is proposed based on the study of immediate context. Additionally, the zoning, that is primarily determined by speed, noise and group of visitors, is corresponding to main entrances, view corridors and outdoor terraces. It also finalizing the entry square of the park. The green belt breaks out the threshold of the park and extends to its adjacent blocks to reinforce connectivity to the local community. Moreover, it signifies a welcoming gesture to the visitors approaching the park, demolishing the boundary between park and neighborhood physically and mentally