Washington – A redevelopment plan for a North Charleston, S.C. site presented by a team of Harvard University students has taken top honors in the 21st annual Urban Land Institute (ULI)/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition.
The ideas contest provides graduate students the opportunity to devise a comprehensive design and development scheme for a large-scale site in an urban area. Members of the winning team were awarded a prize of $50,000 at the conclusion of the competition on April 6, with $5,000 of the total going to Harvard University.
In March, the students toured the competition site, rehearsed their proposals, and received feedback from local ULI member. On April 6, they presented their plans in person to a 15-person jury of ULI members from across the country.
This year’s competition asked students for proposals to create a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income area in North Charleston. The challenge brief asked the students to address issues of equity, housing affordability, access to neighborhood services, sustainability, and connectivity to surrounding communities.
The winning plan from Harvard University, titled Knot Charleston, is a vision for the new downtown of North Charleston designed to address challenges posed by the post-COVID environment, social inequality, and climate change. Synthesizing three core values of resilience, economy, and community, this mixed-use development captures the city’s unique context to create a regional destination, generate employment powerhouse for local business, and build a well-connected, affordable and enriching place to live for generations, according to ULI.
The team was comprised of Youngsoo Yang, Tomas Quaglia, Ben Parker, Emily Johansen, and Rachaya Wattanasirichaigoon, all representing Harvard University.
“The ULI Hines Competition was an incredible opportunity for us to explore how real estate and urban design can address key challenges in our competition site and cities across the country,” said the team in a statement. “This three-month journey has been an unforgettable experience for our team and the highlight of our academic careers. We are grateful to ULI and Hines for providing this platform and excited to continue our commitment to a healthier and more equitable built environment.”
“Of the many creative solutions offered, Knot Charleston ultimately had the most exemplary financials coupled with thoughtful phasing and a well-conceived mix of industrial and residential scales,” said Jury Chair Geeti Silwal. “Not only did their proposal offer ample access points to the water throughout the site, the team also told an effective story in their presentation that conveyed their awareness of the local maritime history, the city itself, and the community surrounding the site.”
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“Each year, this event gives future industry leaders an unparalleled opportunity to learn from experts and craft their own strategies for revitalizing, improving, and making their own unique mark in the built environment,” said ULI Americas president, Gwyneth Jones Cote.
The four teams that advanced to the final round of the competition were chosen from 84 entries by a jury of 15 leading ULI members. This year, students formed teams representing 39 universities in the United States, Canada, and India, including 12 teams with students from more than one university.
