Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry has revealed his ideas for updating the masterplan for the Los Angeles River, which include platform parks on stilts bridging the waterway.
The American architecture studio is working with landscape architect Laurie Olin and engineering firm Geosyntec Consultants to update plans to revitalise a 51-mile stretch of river drainage in Los Angeles (LA).
Draft plans released last week by LA County are now open for comments from local people for 60 days. Once finalised, the LA River Master Plan will stand as a development guide for the area over the next 25 years.
Platform parks could bridge the river
In an interview with the LA Times, the 91-year-old Frank Gehry spoke about his idea for building public parks raised on platforms over the riverbed. Concrete stilts would support deep, soil-filled concrete troughs of earth planted with plants and trees, perched four metres above the lip of the concrete-walled channel.
The platform parks would span the width of the river, forming green bridges. These parks could stretch for up to a mile, with enough space for ponds and horse riding trails. Green areas will also be landscaped in corridors alongside the river.
Green corridors will be built along the riverbanks
Gehry has also drawn up plans for a $150-million cultural centre that would be accessible by public transport and provide arts and education facilities for local children.
Although some environmental groups are campaigning to return the...