The document describes a student project that creates an exhibition space to showcase the contrast between Bryant Park in Manhattan and its surrounding busy city. The exhibition uses photographs, maps, and panel divisions to separate the calm interior of the park from the more hectic exterior. Visitors can walk through the space and observe how different elements like architecture, statues, and crosswalks connect Bryant Park to the intricate patterns of the city. The objective is to help viewers physically experience the unique calm atmosphere of Bryant Park despite its location in the middle of a busy urban setting.

1. Ironic Contrast
at Bryant Park
Yewon Shin || Planes in Space || Spring 2016 || CD 215.105 || Professor Asal Shakeri

2. About Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a park located in the middle of busy city, Manhattan. When visitors are at Bryant Park, they will feel that the inner and outer parts of the park are
two different worlds not only because each has its own unique setting but also because people in these two different places behave differently. Visitors inside
the park are relaxed and talkative while people outside the park relatively seem to be more quiet and indifferent to their surroundings. The two settings are
both busy; however, people inside the park are busy observing what others are doing, talking with their friends, eating, or ice-skating whereas people outside
are busy because of their personal goals, final destinations, or calls on their phones. Bryant Park has an ability to give you a rest from a loud, active city and
that is what makes this park unique.
Concept
The concept of this space is the ironic contrast created between Bryant Park and its surrounding city. One may guess that due to the busyness of the city, the
park inside it will also be chaotic; however, Bryant Park, despite being in the middle of Manhattan, is very calm and relaxed in the inside. Viewers will feel that
they are starting their walk from the outside, understanding that they are entering a park in the first place, and then feel the calm yet vibrant feel of Bryant
Park.
The objective of this space is to separate the central area and edges of the space using photos and planes to help visitors to physically feel how unique and
different the Bryant Park is in relation to its busy outer space. The contrast between the intricate patterns of the panels around the edges and spacious area in
the center collaborate to portray this interesting contrast.
Objective

3. Floor Plan
Exhibition Dimension: 26’x 16’x 10’ | Scale:1’= 3/8”
26’
6’
16’
10’

4. Elevation
8’
10’
16’
6’
Exhibition Dimension: 26’x 16’x 10’ | Scale:1’= 3/8”

5. Plan View
Final Model: 19.5”x 12”x 7.5”| Scale: 3/4“ = 1’.0” | Foamcore Thickness: 3/16“

6. Walk Through (1-3)
1. Viewer walks into the entrance and sees the
name of the place. Tangent to the name is a photo
of a metal net of the ping pong table at Bryant
Park. The holes arouse curiosity.
2. Viewer turns right and sees the map as well as
old style architecture. These two influence each
other and become unexpected.
3. Viewer turns left and sees the negative space in
the center divided by a big panel.

7. 5. Viewer walks through a narrow aisle and ob-
serves details found inside Bryant Park. In the back-
ground is a photo of another modern architecture.
6. Viewer encounters a photo of a statue which
does not dominate the patterns of architecture.
Walk Through (4-6)
4. Viewer starts the circulation and sees linear
patterns with perpendicular angles on modern
architecture.

8. 9. Viewer walks again through the narrow aisle.
The space each side of panels consumes is bal-
anced.
Walk Through (7-9)
8. Viewer turns right and sees the old style archi-
tecture that the viewer has already seen at the
beginning. The photos of modern and old archi-
tecture are tangent to each other.
7. Viewer also sees how Bryant Park’s is connect-
ed to the intricate architecture with a photo of
a cross-walk. The position of this panel is in the
corner to not be too dominant.

9. Walk Through (10-11)
10. Viewer closely observes the photo of old style
architecture and the map once again. They are
positioned on a right angle.
11. Viewer exits from the entrance which acts both
as an entrance and an exit. The neutral signage
reminds the viewer of the place for the last time.

10. Previous Ideas
In this configuration, the closed space in the center draws you through the space and
circulates your movement through the entire space.
Concept was developed from the complexity of mazes.
Viewers are able to explore the space and walk around more freely.
Concept of this configuration is freedom.
Viewers are able to get engaged into the space by viewing the elements that surround
them.
The continuous panels at the beginning engage the viewers continuously, leading them
to the spatial area with cafés.
Objective is leading the viewers until the space where they can enjoy the little, interest-
ing objects in the Bryant Park.

11. Final Sketch Model and Reflection
From this project, I learned a lot about ways of thinking and dealing with smallest details
needed to design a space such as the amount of space between panels, proportions of
photos, etc.
The transparent contrast between the surrounding and the central area play very well
together. If I were to try something different, I would change the unit in the center into a
different shape.
Some of the highlights of this space are the interesting introductory photo, a signage on
a garbage can with the name of the space, intricate pattern of some of the panels, and
zoomed-in photos that engage viewers’attention.
Photos of architecture are more abstract while photos of objects inside the park are more
realistic, creating a balance in terms of complexity of ideas.
During the process, photo selection and position of different units consumed the most
time. Too complex configuration at the beginning at to be reduced to a simpler version as
well.
The negative space in the center made me play around more with the groups of complex
patterns of the panels at the edges.

12. Other Neighbourhood Choice - Central Park
The other neighbourhood choice was central park. The main focus was going to be
interesting textures or patterns that could be found inside the Central Park such as
the tree trunks or bricks. This idea was going to be developed but then the concept of
“textures”was way too broad and would have been confusing to the viewers since it is
very abstract that the idea had to be thrown away.

13. Sketches and Notes