La Primavera
Academic Project
Professor: Laurie Hawkinson
Date: Fall 2021
Location: Brooklyn-Queens Express Way, Brooklyn, NYC
La Primavera proposes the transformation of a 750' strech of the triple-cantilever of the Brooklyn Queens Express Way (BQE) into a cascading urban farm with a series of music practice rooms. It addresses social and nutritional issues by exploring the mutually beneficial relationship between plants and music.
Numerous studies have shown the positive impact of music on plants including the stimulation of plant growth and increased biomass. Studies show that music stimulates plant growth by opening stomata and enhancing nutrient absorption, while plants absorb sound and purify air, benefiting musicians. The project serves as a prototype for repurposing unused infrastructure into spaces for public programming, reconnecting people with food production and building urban food resiliency.