YEAR 3 & 4

Tatiana Estrina—Frank Leva Award

About the Award
For a student who recognizes excellence in image-making within the Architectural Science disciplines.

Atlantic City has had a long history of booms and busts. Its proximity and accessibility from different areas nearby is key to its survival as a tourist destination. As transportation methods evolved, Atlantic City became more and more redundant, as other cities in the south became more accessible vacation spots and casinos opened up in nearby cities. The Trans - Pier™ turns the cause of Atlantic City’s downfall into its greatest asset by creating a transportation hub that becomes a destination in itself. It reflects the character of the city - a community with a focus on entertainment of visitors, and emphasizes the experience of those who transition through the spaces within the transportation hub. By combining port activities such as cruises, ferries, and cargo ships with air travel, the hub caters towards a variety of visitors traveling to and from nearby cities.

Throughout the United States, the ‘pleasure pier’ concept has been a popular icon of summer retreats and entertainment since the early 1900s. Built over a body of water near popular summer vacation spots, such piers contain a multitude of rides and games for the tourists enjoying the beach. Such a model serves as a perfect precedent for the Trans-Pier™, catering towards the tourists enjoying the boardwalk as well as those in transit, while also giving a nod to the historical entertainment structures in the area.