David Briggs, founding partner of Loci Architecture, discusses the Gowanus Canal and the challenges and opportunities of urban design.
The Gowanus Canal, located in Brooklyn, was heavily polluted due to industrial activities in the past. Briggs and his team at Loci Architecture have been working on designing urban solutions and engaging with the community to revitalize the area. They have organized design competitions, created the Gowanus Atlas, and proposed projects for the industrial business zone. Briggs emphasizes the importance of understanding the community and their needs, as well as the need for creative and visionary urban planning.
In this episode, Cherise is joined by David Briggs, AIA, LEED AP, CPHD, Principal and Founding Partner at Loci (LO-SCI) Architecture in New York, and Dr. Adrian C. Manual, Executive Director at Merrick Academy Charter School. They discuss the Merrick Academy Charter School in Queens, New York.
In the vibrant streets of Queens, New York City, awaits the new home of Merrick Academy Charter School, primed to emerge as a hub of educational excellence and communal advancement.
This 60,000-square-foot edifice, situated within a dynamic neighborhood, transcends mere architectural form. It serves as a tangible manifestation of the community's collective vision—to cultivate young intellects and ignite an enduring love for learning.
This week David and Marina sit down with David Briggs, Architect and Co-Founder of Gowanus By Design to discuss New York City in the 80s, gentrification, urban preservation, the planning challenges of Gowanus (a neighborhood in Brooklyn) and its severely polluted canal, designing better cities, wastewater treatment, painting and more! David is the founding principal of Loci Architecture and more. Enjoy!