The Public reviews DSA's design of the Farmington Canal Greenway

On October 25, 2011, a public meeting was held at New Haven's City Hall, where a few dozen people were presented designs of the final segments of the multi-use trail.

Tunnel Entry at Temple Street

For more details from the meeting, click here for an article in the New Haven Independent.  And our website for more pictures of the project.

Cuba Presentation on Resilience by Karl Kim and Dean Sakamoto

On May 17, 2011, Karl Kim, Ph.D., Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaii and Director of the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) and Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, LEED AP, made a joint paper presentation titled: "Rethinking Resilience: Pacific Island Perspectives on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction." This presentation was part of a two-day international workshop on "Earthquakes and Hurricanes Response and Preparedness" organized by the International Scientific Committee on Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH). Kim and Sakamoto were impressed by Cuba's own disaster preparedness as well as the preservation of old Havana's historic urban fabric, and of course, its fine cigars and rum.

Major Renovations to Yale's Judaica Reading Room by DSA Published

Inside the Program in Judaic Studies - Spring 2011 newsletter, an article titled "Major Renovations to Library's Judaica Reading Room" features DSA's recently completed project in Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library. In this story, Nanette Stahl, Judaica Collection Curator states: "In his careful attention to detail, Mr. Sakamoto used the grates that cover the air-conditioning and heating units as a means of beautifying the room. The grates are designed to echo the seven species for within in rabbinic tradition the land of Israel is known." For more images of the project, check out our website!

DSA Releases Its Most Recent Design for the Farmington Canal Greenway

Here are a few of the renderings for DSA's most recent design for the Farmington Canal Greenway.

An illuminated interpretive line leads pedestrians through the tunnel between Temple Street and Whitney Avenue

A ramp and stairs connect the greenway to the Park of the Arts

A weathering steel arch announces the entrance to the greenway from Grove Street

For more images of the new design, visit the Farmington Canal Page on our Website.

DSA Tries Out a New Linear Paver for the Farmington Canal Greenway

DSA is hoping to use the linear pavers depicted in the video above for the final stretch of the Farmington Canal Greenway that it is currently designing.  Test subject Kai Sakamoto demonstrates that the paver can provide a comfortable riding surface for a standard wide-tire bike.


Although this choice of material is a big improvement over the steel grating that was originally considered for the riding surface, there is still a question of whether the grooves between the pavers might make cycling with thin racing bike tires difficult.


Cyclists, let us know what you think.


Note: those wishing to try out the paver for themselves should visit Kroon Hall at 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT

Minoru Yamasaki's architectural legacy takes another hit - this time from Mother Nature

The Yamasaki Associates designed Lambert-St. Louis International Airport took a direct hit from the tornado last Friday. Remarkably, both the terminal and the architect's legacy remains intact! Yamasaki (1912-1986), a self-made nisei born in Seattle, was one of America's top architects at mid-century and was also the designer of the ill-fated World Trade Center in New York City. He was shunned by critics as an architectural "decorator" and remains nearly forgotten today.  However, the resilience of his Lambert Airport design proves otherwise. Yama's Michigan Medical Group Building in Lansing, MI (b. 1961) is pictured below. What do you think?

Also see yesterday's Times story in which Gyo Obata of HOK reminds us of the significance of Lambert Airport: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/us/25stlouis.html

DSA's Chapel West Vision Plan Continues to Inspire Change

New Haven Independent Photo


Brian McGrath, District Manager of the Chapel West Special Services District, presents a zoning change based on DSA's vision plan.
The New Haven Independent reports on the issue.

DSA hosts Yale talk by Chipper Wichman

On Saturday, February 12th, Chipper Wichman, Director and CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) gave a talk at the Yale School of Architecture Gallery.


NTBG and its gardens are located in the only tropical climate zones in the United States. NTBG is dedicated to preserving tropical plant diversity and stemming the tide of extinction.

Journey to Chandigarh

Dean Sakamoto, traveled to the Le Corbusier planned city of Chandigarh in Northern India. In addition to touring the Capitol complex (pictured) and Chandigarh’s public spaces, he gave a talk on tropical architecture at the Chandigarh College of Architecture. Now almost 60 years since its completion, Corb’s city of the future is functioning beautifully in the present day. A faculty collaboration grant from Yale University’s South Asian Studies Council funded Dean’s visit.