The project reimagines a ferry terminal structure at 567 Seaview Avenue, Bridgeport, as a mediator between the community and institutional stakeholders. By reimagining it, the terminal balances transit infrastructure with public access as well as ecological sensitivity. It challenges car dominance, reclaims memory by recreating access to Pleasure Beach, and integrates ecological resilience strategy into the overall form of the project
The form of the terminal reflects movement and hierarchy by embedding the roadway partially underground, allowing vehicles to access the terminal without dominating the site. Above, the roof acts as a symbolic and functional continuation of the former Pleasure Beach bridge, offering views and a renewed connection to the ocean. The design integrates accessible pathways that remain usable during floods and storms, creating a resilient public space. By blending public amenities with transit infrastructure, the project allows the institution to gain operational efficiency while regaining access to the waterfront for the community.
The project uses precast concrete for its cost-efficiency and efficient construction timelines. The elevated beams create natural swales, mitigating flooding and directly supporting the East End community, which is vulnerable to climate-change related displacement. This strategy forms a spatial “timeline” that weaves together predictability, such as ferry schedules, and unpredictability, like tidal changes and storm events. Pedestrian circulation is shaped by ecological features like retention ponds and tidal ecosystems, together forming a rooftop boardwalk that encourages locals to reconnect with the shoreline. Solar canopies serve dual purposes as shading and wayfinding, while rain gardens manage stormwater. The architecture dissolves into the landscape, integrating both infrastructure and nature into one. By tapping into Bridgeport’s maritime trade infrastructure, the project reduces material procurement challenges and establishes public landmarks that not only honors shared histories, but also embraces adaptive futures.
