Project Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Student Designer: Kyle Sutton
A century-old pumping station on the Grand River is being repurposed into a vibrant, downtown riverwalk, and neighborhood amenity. Aligning with Grand Rapids’ Master Plan, the proposal incorporates flexible, inexpensive spaces for startups, a food and produce market for the burgeoning neighborhood, and capitalizes on huge open spaces to create the largest climbing facility in Michigan, highlighted by a climbing surface that breaks through the existing structure. The surrounding land is converted to a natural area with meandering paths, direct access to the river, and supporting local ecology.
"As a student proposal, this project is notably sound, with market research providing robust support for a more beneficial reuse strategy, significantly enhancing the probability of its successful implementation. Including a use and purpose for outdoor areas was well-liked by the jury, as it addresses both the needs of the community and the local wildlife — a consideration that adds an important layer of environmental sensitivity to the proposal."
