Two architects from WXY in New York, Claire Weisz and Mark Yoes, spoke about their architectural input for East Lansing during the East Lansing 2030: Collegeville Re-Envisioned.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is hosting presentations from different architecture firms around the country to present new ideas to the community of East Lansing for the inspiration of a new project for next fall.
“Eight firms will bring their ideas into our dialogue,” said Alec Hathaway, associate curator of architecture and design. “They are presenting their ideas to the community to get them involved.”
Weisz said she has only been in East Lansing for one day, but from what she noticed she would like to see more outside cafes and more students riding bikes.
She also had a discussion with Mason resident Charlotte Wilks who wanted to see less franchise businesses on Grand River and more independent shops.
Ben Graham, a local businessman, said he attended all of the Collegeville Re-Envisioned events since November 2013. He said each one was different, with some better than others.
“They’re just a precursor to what is going to happen in the fall,” Graham said. “I really enjoy seeing what their capabilities are. They’re doing some big thinking,” he said.
Weisz and Yoes prepared a slideshow of projects they have completed in the past in New York. Their modern structures ranged from benches in parks to boardwalks and carousels.
In their presentation, Weisz and Yoes showcased a new sea-themed carousel their firm is working on in Central Park.
“People love gardens, but they want to do things in parks, so how about carousels,” Weisz said.
They have been developing the carousel for the past seven to nine years.
Wiesz said her firm is also looking into alternative forms for boardwalks because the wood did not hold up in New York after Hurricane Sandy hit the city. One of the things they came up with is a luminescent boardwalk made of glow-in-the-dark aggregate.
Speakers will continue to give presentations as part of the project through June of 2014.
