The Riverside Cultural Campus is conceived as a low-rise, landscape-driven civic ensemble that integrates architecture, ecology, and public life along the water’s edge. A series of stepped, pavilion-like buildings are arranged to follow the natural curvature of the river, creating a porous and inviting interface between the city, the park, and the waterfront.

The project prioritizes openness and accessibility. Transparent façades and layered terraces allow interior cultural programs to visually connect with the surrounding landscape, while generous setbacks and courtyards form shaded public spaces for gathering, events, and everyday use. The architecture remains deliberately horizontal, reinforcing a human-scale presence that complements the residential neighborhood context.

Green roofs, planted terraces, and continuous riverside landscaping enhance biodiversity, improve stormwater management, and extend the adjacent park system into the site. Pedestrian promenades and cycling paths run parallel to the river, encouraging active movement and informal social interaction throughout the day.

Designed as a flexible cultural hub, the campus accommodates exhibition spaces, community rooms, educational facilities, cafés, and multipurpose halls. Together, these elements establish a vibrant waterfront destination that supports community life, promotes environmental stewardship, and strengthens the relationship between urban living and natural systems.

Riverside Cultural Campus

Waterfront Civic Destination

Location: Long Island City, Queens, New York City