“Designing the High Line.” Revisiting a funky idea called Agri-tecture.

The planks have been installed, the soil has started to arrive on site and the plants and trees are on their way. But what you might not realize is how all of this has come about. Welcome to the first installation in a series of blog posts looking specifically at the design of the High Line. Each week until the opening of Section 1 later this year, we will highlight final designs for Sections 1 and 2 of the High Line. Along with diagrams and design renderings, construction drawings and images will give you behind the scenes look at what promises to be an amazing park.

Since the release of the competition finalists in July 2004 and the selection of Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro later that summer, everyone near and far has always been intrigued with the design. With its thought-provoking ideas and a funky idea called Agri-tecture, New Yorkers embraced it and called it our own. Let’s revisit the winning competition entry that is now becoming a reality thanks to supporters and advocates like you.

 

[Biotopes: System of paving and planting that provides a gradient of changing landscape/hardscape conditions. Click to enlarge.]

Design Launch Party Recap

I hope you were able to join us last Wednesday under the High Line as we celebrated the release of Designing the High Line, our new design publication showcasing High Line designs from Gansevoort-30th Street.  With some help from a lighting designer and Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, we transformed a construction staging area into an amazing party venue.  Check out photos by our fabulous volunteer, Jeffrey Donenfeld.  At Friends of the High Line, we concentrate a lot on what the space on top of the High Line will look like, but this event got me excited about how great the area underneath the Line can be!

Over 700 guests mingled under the Line while enjoying tasty treats from the Cleaver Co. and sipping Brooklyn Brewery beer.  Thanks to everyone who showed up to toast our design and construction teams, and a special thanks to the evening’s sponsors, Related, Cardinal Investments, 511 West 25th Street, SHoP Architets, and Alf Naman for the use of the space under the Line.  If you didn’t get to pick up a copy of Designing the High Line, it’s available on Amazon.com.