The JFK Boulevard Streetscape update responds to one of the nation’s most transit-oriented urban districts, where nearly 70% of Philadelphia’s University City residents commute by foot, bike, or public transit. As the primary gateway to 30th Street Station, the third-busiest Amtrak station in the country, JFK Boulevard carried the weight of a major civic corridor while remaining designed almost entirely around the personal vehicle, a disconnect that contributed to a disproportionate number of traffic crashes. The redesign advances the vision of the Schuylkill Yards Master Plan, a landmark partnership between Brandywine Realty and Drexel University to reimagine this stretch of Philadelphia’s skyline, rebalancing the street for all modes while improving safety and environmental performance.
The transformed boulevard is conceived as an outstanding public space in its own right: a multimodal streetscape that reflects the evolving character of University City and anticipates the high-density, mixed-use growth being realized through Schuylkill Yards. Innovative placemaking anchors the emerging neighborhood’s identity and supports its continued momentum, creating a corridor that is as memorable and equitable as the community it serves. SWA/Balsley worked closely with the Philadelphia Department of Streets, Philadelphia Water Department, Amtrak, SEPTA, and PennDOT to achieve this outcome.
One Zero Park
Digital City is blessed with many assets that make it a special place in the Samsung family of campuses. Brilliant minds from around the world, an innovative environment, and an open space system in which the quality of work life is enhanced with play and relaxation. One Zero Park will be its center of spiritual gravity in which Samsung can host events and cel...
Jinbocho Redevelopment
Situated in central Tokyo’s university and publishing district, this new mixed-use project brought urban streetscape character to its immediate neighborhood through the introduction of plazas whose fountains, seating areas, cafes and sculptures serve residents, workers, and the community as a refuge from the busy streets.
A diagram of pedestrian flows t...
Balsley Park
Located on Manhattan’s West Side, Balsley Park, formerly known as Sheffield Plaza, has been transformed from a barren, lifeless plaza into the community’s most cherished common ground.
Following public outcry and many failed attempts to redesign the plaza, Thomas Balsley Associates was hired to build community consensus around a new park-like image and ...
Faria Lima
A new office tower, theater and café pavilion known as Alameda is being built in the high end district of downtown Sao Paulo; the centerpiece of the site design is the Alameda civic plaza. Lifted gently above the street level, four generous steps invite visitors to enter and explore the plaza while branded light pylons at all major entrances serve as place mar...