Explanation:

Queens Plaza... what would you think about, when you hear this name? A nice place to stay; a public square; a realm you want to spent your lunchtime at? One might think of many things and scenes, but certainly not of Queens Plaza as t is right now. It has nothing in common with the mentioned above. By taking a closer look, one has to admit, that it appears to be nothing but a faceless street, heavily frequented by traffic, in the borrough of Queens. Nothing less and in every instance nothing more.

So, what to do? Some paint here? Some trees there? It becomes obvious very rapidly, that this will change nothing, apart from creating a quite preposterous scenary. The task of this competition has to be set to a far bigger scale. Focusing central Long Island City, espacially Queens Plaza, an growth area with significant potential for office, retail and residential development can be identified. Recognizing the large amount of underdeveloped properties, the starting point has to be tabula rasa

Long Island City's excellent mass transit access and the great amount of commuter traffic are good predetermiatios for this district to become a prosperous area for companies needing reasonably priced office space in buildings with large, efficient floor plates. Due to the upcoming mass of people landscaped seating areas and an elevated public plaza offer respite to area employes, customers, tourists and residents. The tower buildings stand as a landmark and a sign for prosperity creating a skyline of its own apart from Manhattan. Uptown, Midtown, Downtown and now even Queenstown.

Coming from Manhattan across Queensboro Bridge a compressed energetic flow of traffic is flooding into the core of Long Island City; unstoped shattered by unattractive streetscapes and misleading crossing points. There is no room left for pedestrian activity except for the highly venturing attempts desperately crossing this flood.

Conclusion: let traffic be traffic and give new room to (elevated) pedestrian life. The center of focus is the Queens Plaza Forum, which stands as a wavebreaker right in the flow of traffic. It is an outshining place for all to meet, for those who stay and live in Queens and for those, who pass by. A place of information, contemplation and entertainment. The light structure of glass and steel keeps the character of an open public plaza, but makes it an all-weather-place. Daytime use of Queens Plaza Forum as public place for lunchtime and relaxation, tourist information, car rental and facilities of public interest. At night, apart from illuminating whole Queens Plaza, it could become the new hot spot for nightlife, clubbing, theatre and cinema. Almost every iaginable kind of use is possible.

The high rising office towers (12 FAR) form the imaginary border of Long Island City core. To create a new and unmistakable area of high identification the towers are orientated in their own angle, still refering to the present grid to the east dividing Queens Plaza from the unattractive Sunnyside Yard, and giving way towards all other directions to attach central Queens amidst its surroundings.

Sidewalk widenings and active ground floors of non-residential, commercial use contribute to a lively environment, even for 24 hour activity.

Located along Queens Plaza North bulky loft buildings (8-5 FAR) are proposed as well for those, who work at the new office center, as for longtime residents looking new appealing accomodations. Different types of housing units designed for different forms of living are situated in three blocks. Each residential block has its own character, open spaces, gardens to meet within the community of the block.

The new Long Island City core is completed by a shopping mall settled between 29th street and 41st avenue. Supply for daily needs and simply for joy. Seeming quite structureless at first sight, but at second a second sight reveals dynamic spaces, exciting rooms of light and spectacular views.