WEAVING INTERFERENCE
- Project: IBWC Headquarter on US-Mexico Border
- Site: El Paso - Juáre
- In Collaboration with Mingyang Sun
- DLR Group Prize
- Iowa State University
Our proposal is to prevent the “wall” being built along the boundary. The reason is that our researches show U.S./Mexico border is highly active as to commercial trades, material transportation and daily passes of residents from both countries. We prefer to imagine a U.S./Mexico border in which people are allowed to move freely, but don’t have physical contacts in order to maintain security.
It means an in-between space should be provided for local people to have active and positive experiences crossing the border. Therefore, our projects are related to culture activities, such as gallery, workshop and music centers. The optimistic circumstance is that both American and Mexican can come together to communicate with cultural language as if there is no border.
Shopping
Studying
Working
We also notice the river route had dramatically changed through years. We study the River morphology to soften the shape of our blocks. The river flow kind of represents the routes going through the blocks.
Changes of River Route
The concrete bank along the Rio Grande clearly separates the site into two parts. The only existing opportunity for crossing the site is the Free Bridge.
A diagonal connection cross the river links the Chamizal memorial museums and green space respectively locate in two nations axially.
The abandoned parking lots of customs to the south of the boarder has potential to be reprogrammed into public-realm.
The site we choose for our project is in the diagonal axis , interfering the two nations at
the same time.
Route
Walls
Separate
Adapt
Insert
Fold
Block
Transform
Connect
Our proposal is to prevent the “wall” being built along the boundary. The reason is that our researches show U.S./Mexico border is highly active as to commercial trades, material transportation and daily passes of residents from both countries. We prefer to imagine a U.S./Mexico border in which people are allowed to move freely, but don’t have physical contacts in order to maintain security.
It means an in-between space should be provided for local people to have active and positive experiences crossing the border. Therefore
Ground Floor Plan
Level 1 Floor Plan
Axonometric
Details
Public Corridor
Stairs to Theater
Studio Theater
Physical Model