Developed over a series of iterations, this proposal for the ruins is composed of sequential structural interventions that stabilize the existing walls to reinvent the programming space. The aim is to consistently reinvent the role of the ruin as an infinite infrastructure that can accommodate and support necessary projects. The idealization of ruins as a romantic fascination positions the ruin as an ornament diminished by time. Existing as vessels for perceiving embodiments of meaning projected onto heaps of stone, exploited for their picturesque remanence of what once was. This specific focus identifies the site of the former Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island. The primary stage of this intervention introduces a composite Cross-Laminated timber and steel joint system that stabilizes the existing walls of the building shell. Temporary platforms and interior structures utilize the superstructure as support through cable connections. This phase reimagines the ruin as a playscape, creating a public domain for recreational activities to serve all demographics. The overall aim is to reinvent the role of ruins by foregoing the consistent abandonment of underutilized buildings. This project sets a precedent for adaptively re-using more existing structures through the creation of a framework that continuously extends the lifespan of edifices.
