The Louisville Knot works to mend a physical and psychological barrier in the urban fabric of downtown Louisville, KY, created by the Ninth Street Overpass, an elevated highway interchange passing over Main Street. A series of bent and bundled steel tubes hand-formed from a mile of linear material by a local fabricator weave together to create seating, tables, lighting, signage and an extra large swing, re-framing the sidewalk and an adjacent parking area under I-64 as an inviting space to gather.
The competition-winning design, commissioned by the City of Louisville, and programmed through a public community process, strengthens urban and social connections, transforming an underutilized area into a welcoming pedestrian thoroughfare. The structure provides a tactical framework for parties, play, and commerce, encouraging residents and visitors to not only cross the divide, but occupy it.
PROJECT TEAM
General Contractor
Denton Floyd Real Estate Group
Lighting Consultant
Lam Partners
Fabricator
Core Design
The Louisville Knot
Category
2020 Architectural Excellence DESIGN AWARDS > Impact Design
Description
FIRM
ISA
PROJECT LOCATION
Louisville, Kentucky
LOCAL AIA CHAPTER
AIA Philadelphia
IMAGE CAPTION & CREDITS
Image 1 // The Louisville Knot works to mend a physical and psychological barrier in the urban fabric of downtown Louisville, KY, created by the Ninth Street Overpass, an elevated highway interchange passing over Main Street. The structure provides a tactical framework for parties, play, and commerce, encouraging residents and visitors to not only cross the divide, but occupy it. Photography by ISA.
Image 2 // A series of bent and bundled steel tubes hand-formed from a mile of linear material by a local fabricator weave together to create seating, tables, lighting, signage and an extra large swing, reframing the sidewalk and an adjacent parking area under I-64 as an inviting space to gather. Photography by Ben Norton.
Image 3 // A series of multi-sensory moments along the length of the installation celebrate local Louisville arts and culture history while prompting new connections. Photography by Ben Norton.
Image 4 // A series of tubes turn up with lit ends resembling birthday candles in the middle, in homage to the Louisville-based sisters who wrote the Happy Birthday song. Photography by Ben Norton.