New York, New York
Competition 2003
Exhibited in Grand Central Station 2003
Like The Hudson River Park, the High Line is a continuous strip of landscape, not affected by the start-and-stop of Manhattan’s street grid, with an underlying infrastructure holding it in place. Yet the High Line differs in that there is a separation between natural plantings above and raw steel structure below; and it is prized for its uniquely elevated point of view. By extending the coastal park, this project will encourage walkers to enter the body of the city and enhance the connection of the waterfront to the city.
To do this, the High Line must create a circuit with The Hudson River Park, while at the same time maintaining its disconnection to the city’s grid. We proposed two techniques, working in tandem: 1. Connect to The Hudson River Park where the High Line is closest to the water, at the 34th Street railyards, the 17th Street gallery site, and 14th Street interchange. This will have the effect of making the High Line register as a natural element in the city, and create smooth, direct connection to the street. 2. Enhance the existing elevated forest above and infrastructural forest below the High Line, heightening the pleasurable disconnection with Manhattan. The inspiration is taken from both upland/shoreline landscapes and the existing artifact of the High Line itself.
The final circuit created allows those who use the waterfront the option to never double back, and allows park users to enter Hell’s Kitchen, stop at the Chelsea Art District, or go shopping on 14th Street. This increased foot traffic will, in turn, encourage commercial development under and over the High Line.