City Thread
by SPORTS
River City Company, Cogent Studio, Public Art Chattanooga and SPORTS partnered on an alleyway activation to create a vibrant pedestrian corridor, which could also be adapted to a public event space.
Consisting of a continuous linear volume constructed from a series of large, simple steel tubes, the project physically connects visitors while also producing a multitude of dynamic conditions including informal lounging/sitting, mini-stages, and movie screenings, among others. Further, the zig-zagging linear structure implies a variety of smaller spaces within the alley, breaking down the overall space into a series of more intimate spaces, or “urban rooms”, which are reinforced by a system of painted graphic shapes onto the alley surfaces.
Capitalizing on the overwhelming community response to the original Passageways project, City Thread continues the focus on the urban fabric that exists between our city’s buildings in Passageways 2.0.
About the Artist
SPORTS is the award-winning multidisciplinary architecture and design collaborative of Molly Hunker and Greg Corso, based in Syracuse, NY. They approach architecture in a playful way by balancing rigor and research with amusement and curiosity. Deeply engaging, their work promotes fresh and unexpected experiences in the built environment. Since forming in 2010, SPORTS has designed and constructed a number of large-scale architectural installations and pavilions around the country and they have been exhibited, reviewed, and published widely.
Recently, SPORTS was highlighted as a “Firm to Watch” by Architectural Record and as “Next Progressives” by Architect Magazine. SPORTS is the recipient of a “Best of Design” Award from Architect’s Newspaper and a 2017 Arch League Prize from the Architectural League of NY.
Greg Corso is a designer from California. Greg received both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has worked in art and architecture studios in the United States and Europe including Studio Gang, JDS Architects, and Cliff Garten Studio and has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony. Greg has taught architecture and design at Woodbury University, The University of Illinois at Chicago, and is currently an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, School of Architecture.
Molly Hunker is a Wyoming-raised designer and educator. Molly received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and her Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She has worked for architecture studios and art workshops along the west coast including Doug Aitken Workshop, Talbot McLanahan Architecture, Weinstein A|U and The LADG. Molly previously taught at UCLA, Woodbury University, The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) where she served as the inaugural 2013–2014 Douglas A. Garofalo Fellow, and is currently an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, School of Architecture.
Connect with Us
Public Art Chattanooga
(423) 643-7823
publicart@chattanooga.gov