Holcim Awards 2005 - North America - Encouragement

Beacon River Pool, New York, USA

Type of project:
Architecture (health, wellness)

Start of construction:
not forseen

Principal author:
Thomas Nagy, student, Princeton University School of Architecture, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Project Summary
This entry is sensitive to the particular coastal conditions in the northeast of the United States. Merited is the innovative proposal for the reuse of existing water resources for a socially sound objective. The author calls attention to the threat of contamination in everyday life patterns as might be transmitted through food, water, and air. In this respect, the work promises to perform a rehabilitative function for the local ecosystem. Another notable ambition is the plan to combine natural systems – sun, river water, green roof, etc. – with technical infrastructure to produce a hybrid between landscape and building. A creative approach is taken to profit from the specific features of the site while minimizing impact on the local environment. Equally sensitive is the concern for minimal environmental impact of the intervention, demonstrating that less design can deliver superior results with high aesthetic effect.

Thomas Shingo Nagy (left), student, Princeton University School of Architecture, Princeton, New Jersey, USA accepts the prize from Benoît H Koch, Member of the Executive Committee, Holcim Ltd, Switzerland

Comment of the Holcim Awards 2005 Jury for North America
The research is innovative in proposing an intelligent reuse of natural water for a socially safe and attractive objective. The scheme not only offers an interesting contribution to the environment, but also admirably could encourage social equity by bringing diverse groups of people together.

Another notable ambition is to combine natural systems – sun, river water, tiles, etc. – with technical infrastructure to produce a cross between landscape and building. While further studies need to be made of the economic feasibility and capacity of the filtration device, the high quality of the architectural and structural elements are commendable, especially considering the young age of the author.

The project is clearly sensitive to the increase in awareness of chemical contamination in everyday life patterns such as through food, water, and air. A creative approach is taken to capitalize on the specific qualities and features of the site.

Equally sensitive is the concern for minimal environmental impact of the intervention, demonstrating that less design can deliver superior results with high aesthetic resonance.