“A Fix for 42nd Street” was named Editor’s Choice in the “Vision for Public Space” category of the 2026 Architizer Vision Awards, recognizing its ambitious vision to transform one of Manhattan’s most important thoroughfares into a more connected, accessible, and people-focused public space.
New York’s 42nd Street could be one of the world’s best streets. Running the width of Manhattan and connecting transit, cultural hubs, business districts, and residential neighborhoods, it should be the heart of Midtown. But compared to similar streets globally, its car-centric roadway is congested, its sidewalks are undersized, its greenery is lacking, and it fails to integrate nearby transit connections.
“A Fix for 42nd Street” asks how strategic interventions could unlock the potential of this existing urban infrastructure. The proposal prioritizes people and public transportation, introducing a river-to-river streetcar, new ferry connections, expanded pedestrian areas, protected cycling infrastructure, greenery, and new public spaces.
Rather than imposing a single solution across the corridor, the study responds to the distinct character and patterns of activity found along its length. Together, the interventions imagine 42nd Street not simply as a route through Manhattan, but as a connected urban experience that strengthens the neighborhoods, landmarks, and public spaces it brings together.
The recognition reflects KPF’s wider approach to urban design, looking beyond individual sites to consider how architecture, infrastructure, mobility, and public space can work together to improve the experience of the city.
The award is one of two 2026 Architizer Vision Awards received by KPF, alongside “Urban Speculations,” named Jury Winner in the “Vision for Cities” category.
The Architizer Vision Awards honor architecture’s most visionary creators, recognizing work that is shaping the future of the profession through design, research, and visual storytelling. Announced at RELEASE [AEC] in Paris, the wins see KPF included in the Visionary 100, Architizer’s global index of creators pushing the boundaries of architectural communication. Together, the accolades recognize KPF’s commitment to advancing architectural thinking beyond the delivery of individual buildings—using research, experimentation, and representation to explore new ideas for the future of architecture and cities.
