Within the midst of the Corona epidemic, an island known as “Little Island” appeared, which is a backyard on stilts based mostly on 132 strengthened concrete columns on the banks of the Hudson River alongside Pier 55, and the structure of this island reminds us of the designs of the sixties just like the world of science fiction.
In a report revealed by the newspaper “Le Figaro” (Le Figaro) French author Margot Gicheteau recounts that the outdated “Excessive Line” railroad remodeled into a spot for a promenade, with a tree-lined path resulting in an island planted with vegetation, has grow to be a preferred vacation spot for New Yorkers and vacationers alike. vacationers.

The backyard hangs above the water and rests on 132 strengthened concrete columns on the banks of the Hudson River (Reuters)
7 years of labor
Commissioned by businessman Barry Diller, husband of designer Diane von Furstenberg, the island was constructed after 7 years of onerous work and an funding of roughly $260 million. Add to that an extra $120 million for upkeep work over the following 10 years, which the contractor has pledged to fund. As for its design, this process was entrusted to the well-known architect Thomas Heatherwick.
“The concept was to create a dynamic bubble inside this city space, which is why it's positioned as removed from town as attainable”, explains Matt Money, head of Studio Heatherwick.
In collaboration with the panorama agency MNLA, and extra significantly the city planning architect Sein Nielsen, the structure group imagined a totally immersive and sensory expertise. “I wished the island to seem like a big leaf floating on the water”, provides the knowledgeable, and it is a profitable guess.

35 sorts of timber
With uneven topography, created on goal, the panorama, local weather and vegetation change from one level to a different on the floor of this various island to seem a lot bigger than it's. “We managed to create microclimates relying on the diploma of inclination, the solar and the wind, as a result of the climate in New York may be very excessive, between very chilly winters and very popular summers, so we had to make use of vegetation more durable than normal,” says Saint Nielsen.
Presently, camas, trumpets, bald, lily of the valley and narcissus appear to have tailored completely to the soil. With round 35 forms of timber, 65 completely different shrubs and 290 forms of grass, Little Island presents guests a particular expertise.
“Each Wednesday, I stroll there to see how the vegetation adapt and alter. For instance, due to the wind, we determined to decide on timber with small leaves to let the air by way of. It is an ever-evolving mission the place we reposition sure forms of vegetation to raised perceive the place,” says Nielsen.

Climb the hill to try town
That is the distinction between an architect and a landscaper: an architect expects an ideal outcome as soon as the mission is constructed, whereas a landscaper has the endurance to see his backyard evolve over time and with the seasons.
“Crops will orient themselves with the wind, and timber will develop, says Nielsen. Now we have much less management than an architect, and we should settle for change and above all take it under consideration.”
There isn't any pivot and no full regulation of the pitch. Nielsen notes that “you discover the trail below your ft as you stroll, and also you by no means know what awaits you across the bend”. Additionally it is attainable to climb the hill to try town and revel in getting away from it for a second.

Little Island Park highlights the significance of creative range in public areas (Reuters)
Heat of colours and creative range
“We paid specific consideration to the selection of supplies, explains Matt Money. We wished it to be strong, versatile and heat.” This heat is especially evident within the selection of colours. Nielsen knew how you can play with coloration: within the northwest of the island, the place the solar's rays are strongest, there are reds, oranges and purples; to the southwest, the place pastel tones soften the panorama; To the east, lime inexperienced, yellow and lightweight purple predominate.
However the spotlight of the scene is an amphitheater that seats round 687 individuals, the place guests sit to meditate. When there are performances, the place takes on a totally completely different look. The Little Island crew primarily seeks to focus on the significance of creative range in public areas.
“Now we have a multidisciplinary program that features dance, theatre, poetry, music, circus and comedy… Our skills are very completely different from one another. Some have been on this discipline for years, others are at the beginning of their profession. This island is so particular that we wish our artists to work together with the place and be impressed and saturated by the character round them.
Nice 🙂
