Snøhetta — whose James B. Hunt Jr. Library is featured in the second episode of Cool Spaces! — is leading a $45 million redesign of Manhattan’s Times Square. The Times Square Reconstruction will create a world-class pedestrian-oriented public space for the 360,000 people who walk through the area every day. Some of the changes included in the makeover:
- Steel pucks embedded in the pavement to act as accent light by reflecting the square’s famous neon lights
- Centrally located seating zones, making it easier for pedestrians to walk around without inconveniencing sitters
- Filling in areas areas around the leftover curbs to create level plazas that feel separated from car traffic
- Power and data wiring hidden in benches to accommodate big events instead of bringing in generators—a big plus for holding public events
Follow the project on the Times Square Alliance website.