Check Out This Proposal For a Subterranean Park In Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Sunken soul-searching spiral proposed for Crown Heights

The design proposal reflects the nearby mikveh, seeking to elevate its spiritual importance through visibility.

Shor’s structure is entirely below surface level, with simple greenery adorning the street level of the park surrounding the opening of the Spiritual Spring.

At one corner, a conjoined ramp and staircase descend at a gentle angle, drawing in natural light as well as curious visitors. At the bottom, the main exhibition space is open to the sky with a mikveh at its center, signifying purity.

On the floor, the 12 Hebrew months are engraved into the slab, radiating out from the base of the mikveh. The entire sunken structure of the Spiritual Spring is meant to amplify the formal characteristics of the mikveh itself, creating an earthen sanctuary protected from the din of the city streets.

Shor envisions the Spiritual Spring as a space for hosting women’s events, private educational tours, or components of academic seminars.

“The ‘Spiritual Spring,’ will act as an educational space, drawing one into the earth like a child back to the womb, its spiritual Mecca,” said Shor.

Designer Yeshaya Shor proposed a innovative design for a subterranean park in Crown Heights that will show the importance of the Mikveh and its importance within Judaism. The park will be a sunken 20-foot diameter cylinder of concrete that can be entered on street level. On the floor of the cylinder the 12 Hebrew months will be engraved.

“The ‘Spiritual Spring,’ will act as an educational space, drawing one into the earth like a child back to the womb, its spiritual Mecca,” said Shor.

Check out the full article for more photos and information.

via Inhabitat

parks
religion
renderings
urban planning

Veronika Kostova

Contributing Writer

Veronika is in her twenties and is studying marketing and design. She loves to travel, discover the world and its delicious foods, and finds inspiration in the City’s arts scene. She never turns down a challenge, especially on the volleyball court.

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