Bridgeline School
Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Bridgeport Thinkbelt l Studio Adam Frampton
Program: Institution, Work Space, Public Space
Project Partner: Cynthia Wang
Project Year: Fall 2018
Location: Bridgeport, CT
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Yellow Mill East of Bridgeport is the proposed location for a new hybrid educational model that bridges work and shool. The institution is built upon the idea that education and work are not mutually exclusive, integrating education and economy through both focus on seminars and work-based learning. In exchange for free co-working spaces, start-ups and local businesses teach and offer internship opportunities for students. It is a place for high school dropouts and at-risk students to succeed under an alternative educational model where there are opportunities and a direct relationship between city and school.
We propose an urban campus where buildings are organized linearly to form a non-hierarchical relationship between work and school, creating a series of programmatic parallel bands that are connected by a central spine. Buildings are organized on a 30' by 30' grid, where the central spine connects two different spaces ,becoming not only a space for social interactions, but also the structural framework for the campus.
The spine is composed of 3 floors of varying heights, where the lower floor is open to the surrounding ground floor landscape, the second floor is completely enclosed, and the roof serves as an open walking and bike path. The linearity of the spine functions as the main circulation path of the campus, facilitating the movement and distribution of people.
