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MKW + Associates, LLC10-15-18 | Feature
MKW + Associates, LLC
New Jersey

MKW + ASSOCIATES, LLC, established in 1964 in New Jersey, engages in a broad range of projects including park, open space and recreational planning and design, waterfront parks and promenades, play spaces and outdoor learning, environmental design, and corporate, institutional, and residential development and planning. MKW's successes are achieved through its clients and its dedicated team of 12 landscape architects/designers led by principals John Williams and Allen Juba. The firm's philosophy: respect for the land, commitment to site-sensitive design, and acknowledgement of the human need for environmental harmony.



MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

he Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden, Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Arboretum sought to expand its educational mission by adding a science-based children's garden to its collections and array of specialty gardens for both school groups and families. The gently sloping site allowed the creation of a series of 14 linked and themed learning galleries as well as an earth sheltered Discovery Center. The design program sought to positively affect children's attitudes about nature; to increase visitor opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of nature; to be beautiful and horticulturally notable; and to support and reinforce school curricula. This last program element proved to be the most challenging to accommodate in that it resulted in an extensive list of outdoor learning rooms or galleries, each dedicated to particular grade levels or subjects. The collaborative efforts of the landscape architect, exhibit designer and architect, and the client, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, were instrumental in delivering a high-quality, high-impact project. This project received the NJASLA Honor Award 2016.




MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC
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Hudson River Park Segments 6 and 7, New York, N.Y.

MKW + Associates, in joint venture with Dattner Architects, led an interdisciplinary team that masterplanned and designed two miles of new parkland on Manhattan's west side. The design of Segments 6 and 7 of the Hudson River Park, spanning the River's edge from 26th to 59th Streets, created a variety of active and passive recreation spaces, included hard and soft landscapes, upland and pier environments, boathouses and community facilities, and restored and protected native habitat. The design of Hudson River Park, referred to as Clinton Cove, enhanced the connection between the City and the River with a new public boathouse and launching ramp at Pier 96 and an intimate, accessible sitting area with an elegant shade structure on the truncated Pier 95. There were three other sub-projects within MKW's design. The projects were honored with these awards: NJASLA Merit Award 2006 (Clinton Cove Park), NJASLA Honor Award 2007 (Pier 84), NJASLA Honor Award 2008 (Pier 66) and NJASLA Merit Award 2008 (Pier 84).




MKW + Associates, LLC

Photo Credit: Scott Lynch


MKW + Associates, LLC

Photo Credit: Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao for the New York Times


MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

The Rehabilitation of the High Bridge, New York, N.Y.

As part of an interdisciplinary team, MKW + Associates' design for the rehabilitation of the High Bridge focused on the pedestrian experience, universal accessibility and user safety. It is the oldest bridge structure in New York City and provides a link between Northern Manhattan and the Bronx. Upon completion in 1948, the 1200-foot-long, 116-foot-high bridge became a popular destination for pleasure-seekers, but then closed to public access in the 1970s due to neglect. The 2015 reopening reestablished an important link in the City's non-vehicular transportation network and renewed a cultural and recreational amenity. Historically inaccessible for wheelchair users and bicyclists, the approach to the bridge was regraded, code compliant ramps were constructed, and platforms created at sitting areas for universal accessibility. The configurations and materials reflect a contemporary palette to clearly differentiate new and original construction. The High Bridge design was awarded the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award 2016 and the NJASLA Merit Award in 2018.




MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

The Ag Quad at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Cornell University's historic Ag Quad is one of the great central open spaces of the current and future campus. MKW + Associates redesigned the Ag Quad and returned it to its grandeur while recognizing its existing context and program of uses. The 4.6 acre site comprises open lawn areas with a network of paths, canopy trees and detailed planting that create new large-scale gathering spaces, seating opportunities and nighttime illumination that were previously lacking. Existing walkway alignments have been scrutinized and realigned where appropriate and their materials have been upgraded and expanded to reflect a hierarchy of spaces. Areas of concentrated activity have resulted in enlarged plaza spaces at the east and west ends of the Quad. A number of bio-retention areas have also been included to absorb excess surface storm-water.




MKW + Associates, LLC

Photos Credit: Ewout Huibers


MKW + Associates, LLC

Photos Credit: Ewout Huibers


MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

MKW + Associates, LLC

Jersey City Urby, Jersey City, N.J.

MKW + Associates was the landscape architect for Jersey City (JC) Urby, a mixed use development located in the heart of the Harborside Financial District in Jersey City, New Jersey. The project includes more than 2 million square feet of space, including 2,300 residential units in three 69-story towers atop a 9-story structured parking garage. The ground floor includes 42,000 square feet of retail. The public plazas provide opportunities for outdoor cafe dining, seating, and gathering in a casual outdoor living room amid shade trees and lush planting. The development derives its design from the 'Urby' concept - modern urban living with emphasis on community-building amenities and programming. Rooftop features include a pocket park with seating nooks, an outdoor pool, terraced seating, an outdoor kitchen, picnic tables, a pergola and firepit area, a wooden cove - an intimate sitting area, and open lawn area with movable lounge seating. The design team used planting as the main focus, arranging material in interesting shapes and forms to immerse the users in a recreation of nature.




As seen in LASN magazine, October 2018.



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