Greenroofs.com’s “This Week in Review” on GreenroofsTV: October 7, 2011

Each week you can expect to learn What’s New here on Greenroofs.com through our “This Week in Review” video.  Here’s the transcript from October 7th, 2011 from our daughter, Anjuli – click on the photo below to see the video, or here.  Enjoy!

– Hello, I’m Anjuli Velazquez and welcome to This Week in Review for October 7th, 2011 on GreenroofsTV. We’ve been so extremely busy with our inaugural Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2011, that we haven’t been able to have a This Week in Review for a few weeks, so allow me to catch you up with what’s been going on here at Greenroofs.com.

–  Project of the Week

– Our project of the week is Harvard Graduate Student Housing at 29 Garden Street built in 2004 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The former police station from the 1920s was renovated in 2003 with the greenroof installed the following year.  The six-story complex has 75 apartments for the graduate students and “the garden courtyard provides a beautiful outdoor amenity space for residents and has made this housing building one of the most popular places to live on campus.”  The American Hydrotech project profile states, “The once unsightly rooftop is now a 10,000 square foot Garden Roof ® providing pleasing views and helping to add a sense of place and community for the graduate student residents there.  The Garden Roof will significantly increase the life expectancy of the roof and is also helping to control stormwater runoff.”  The rooftop plantings include a mix of succulents, sedums and delosperma, drought tolerant varieties that are perfect for Boston temperatures.

– To learn more about the Harvard Graduate Student Housing at 29 Garden Street, click on our project of the week photo on our homepage.  Also, to learn about our projects of the week for the past few weeks, you can go to the Sky Gardens Blog and read Linda’s posts about each one.  Or, go to our Projects Database and search project ID number “825” for the World Expo Zaragoza 2008/Zentro Expo Zaragoza greenroof from ZinCo, project ID number “553” for the Musée du quai Branly green wall by Patrick Blanc, and project ID number “996” for the Casa Feliz Studios greenroof from Tremco.

What’s New“

Advertiser Press Releases:

–  Industry News

–  According to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the City of Toronto’s award winning Green Roof Bylaw has already resulted in more than 1.2 million square feet of new green space planned on new commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential developments across the City.

– Smart Growth America – Through a grant from the U.S. EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities’ Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program, Smart Growth America is pleased to offer free technical assistance to help communities implement smart growth strategies to build stronger economies while protecting human health and the environment.

– American Rivers – Want to create 1.9 million American jobs and add $265 billion to the economy? Upgrade our water infrastructure. That’s the message of Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment, a report by Green For All, in partnership with American Rivers, Pacific Institute, and the Economic Policy Institute. The report looks at an investment of $188.4 billion in water infrastructure””the amount the EPA indicates would be required to manage stormwater and preserve water quality. That investment would inject a quarter of a trillion dollars into the economy, create nearly 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs and result in 568,000 additional jobs from increased spending.

–    Joblinks:  C. M. Hobbs has a job opening for a Grower/Plant Propagator on the west side of Indianapolis, IN, USA.

– Over at Sky Gardens, check out Linda’s latest posts: “Greenbuild and Greenroofs in Toronto!,” our GPWs for the last few weeks, “Thank You to Our Sponsors and the Winner of the 2nd iPad2 at the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2011 is…,” along with other Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2011 related posts, “Notre Voyage Fantastique: Chicago & Patrick Blanc“ by Linda and Caroline Menetre, “Remembering and Rebuilding: Ten Years After 9/11,” and “Greenroofs.com’s This Week in Review” on GreenroofsTV: September 9, 2011.”

– “Upcoming Events“

Until October 28th: All of the content from our Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2011 – Connecting the Planet + Living Architecture: People, Projects & Design is still very much live, so you can access it all on demand and tell your friends and colleagues to continue to register!  You can even continue to chat live while in the virtual environment via video, audio, or text through October 28!

– October 1st-23rd: Leverage – Strengthening Neighborhoods through Design Exhibition in Philadelphia, PA.

–  Check out our homepage for more Upcoming Events!

– “In the News“

–  Roberta Cruger of Treehugger reports on “The 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s Focus on Sustainable Design.” She says “From a green roof to locally harvested trees, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum opens on the 10th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center with a dedication and much media coverage of every angle, including Steven Spielberg’s The Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero.” A grove of more than 400 swamp white oak trees, all harvested from within a 500-mile radius of the World Trade Center, on the Plaza act as a beautiful green roof for the 9/11 Memorial museum, the train station and other facilities 70-feet below street level. These trees are meant to represent the renewal of life in their natural cycles. The irrigation system includes stormwater capture in underground storage tanks to save energy and resources and the site is seeking LEED gold certification.

– The San Francisco Chronicle announces that “Academy of Sciences [is] honored with another green building award.” The say “everyone’s favorite combination of aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum has received a second Platinum rating from the council’s LEED program.” And this one’s for operations and maintenance. The extensive vegetation on the living roof consists almost entirely of natural species and the glass walls allow views from 98% of occupied spaces. Also, they use 100% recycled paper in all its printers and they are all Energy Star-rated.

– Caroline McMillan of the Charlotte Observer talks about “Green roof sprouts up in the suburbs.” LEED-accredited architect, Rebecca Fant and her mechanical engineer husband, John Alday, have recently installed their very own greenroof. Their porch roof was in need of restoration, so they decided to go green with the help of LiveRoof ® vegetation. They aren’t reaping the full benefits of greenroofs like managing stormwater runoff, keeping their house warm in the winter and cool in the summer yet because their greenroof is just over their porch but Fant says, “it’s a little teaser for what we’re trying to do inside the house, as we renovate and improve the energy efficiency and other environmental features.”

– To learn more about these stories and new ones posted daily, go to our In the News or newslinks section of our website.

–   Send us your green articles, videos and images to editor@greenroofs.com and share your greenroof or green wall info with the world!

– Make sure to keep up with everything  Greenroofs.com by following us on  Twitter, liking us on  Facebook,  being a member of our network on  LinkedIn, and  subscribing to our greenroofsTV channel on YouTube.

– This has been This Week in Review for October 7th,  2011 on GreenroofsTV.  I’m Anjuli Velazquez and I’ll see you next week!

*This week’s episode is sponsored by The Greenroof Directory, brought to you by Greenroofs.com.*

Did we miss something?  We’d love to hear from you!

~ Linda V.

Remembering and Rebuilding: Ten Years After 9/11

Everyone agrees that ten years ago, the world changed forever.  The 10th anniversary of the previously innocuous date of September 11 has been commemorated beautifully and poignantly across the United States of America today to remember those lost in the horrific attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania and reinforce our belief that the majority of people are good, as evidenced by so many selfless acts of courage on that day.  And, we must remember and protect; we can rebuild, and we are strong.

I’ll leave politics to the  politicians, and instead talk about rebuilding and remembering.  Construction of the Freedom Tower continues to move forward, and parts of the National September 11 Memorial should be finished by 2013.

Roberta Cruger of Treehugger reported earlier today on “The 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s Focus on Sustainable Design.”  Focusing  on how design can make us feel is a great way to create a positive experience for a heinous act.  In effect, the entire memorial is a greenroof since it is located over structure – with train station and other facilities 70-feet underneath  street level – and is seeking  LEED Gold certification.

Designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, the 9/11 Memorial at the former site of the World Trade Center features bronze panels engraved with the names of those who died on September 11th and the 1993 bombing, surrounding two 60-foot deep pools – described as “large voids, open and visible reminders of the absence.”

A grove of more than deciduous 400 swamp white oak trees on the Memorial Plaza creates a reflective space with ever changing colors to represent the renewal of life in their natural cycles.  The trees were harvested from within a 500-mile radius of the World Trade Center site, with some from locations in Pennsylvania and near Washington, D.C.  :

“The National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center will bear solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.  The Museum will honor the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others.” ~ 9/11 Memorial

Two dramatic waterfalls and reflecting pools invite contemplation in the footprints of the Twin Towers.  I’m sure you’ll agree that sustainable design also encompasses the ability to sustain emotional needs and connections to a site.

In the middle of writing this, I received the following messge from our dear  friends  Wendy and Chris Wark in New York City, who allowed me to quote them and use the photo below which Chris took off their balcony this evening:

“On this day of reflection we are left with the confusing and challenging detritus of grief.   How do we as a nation move forward?   How do we as fellow human beings sharing a common planet look to the future?   We know that in grief, in shock there is little but a shrill overwhelming scream that cannot, regardless of its volume shut out the reality of loss.   We also know that with an open heart one finds healing, the opportunity to love again, the chance for peace.   It is in hope of a future that is predicated on justice rather than revenge and healing rather than fear that we are sending this message – this image.   This is what we can see from our home, an amazing array of lights narrowing to a beacon and a focal point which we choose to see as a lighted path to a future that is sane.

Our prayer is that with each day more people can see how each of our actions cause a response; that we are all responsible for our perceptions of each other and that, in the end we are able to discern between self-righteousness and universal rights.  We also pray for healing.  Your healing and our healing.” ~ Wendy and Chris Wark

See  Steven Spielberg’s video The Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero on the Discovery Channel below:

While many of us associate 9/11 with the attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, let’s not forget the other two sites where innocent and brave people gave their lives: the Pentagon and an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  The total number of victims included 246 on the four planes, 2,606 in New York City in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon.  In particular,  I’d like to point out the  25 flight attendants who acted as first responders. Along with the eight pilots, a total of 33 crewmembers reacted immediately and selflessly, and lost their lives on that day as well.

Those of you who know me well, or at least who have read my short bio in  About Us,  know that in addition to being principal of  Greenroofs.com I have also been an international flight attendant for almost 32 years – and so I can relate to this event on many levels.

President Obama and the First Lady today visited each of the three memorials that have been erected on the sites where the planes crashed and later attended “A Concert for Hope” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

A day of national remembrance ends with reflection and healing.  Healing continues with honoring by remembering and rebuilding – of physical places and more importantly with intellectual philosophies and emotional assumptions and convictions.

As I blogged about 9/11 back in 2008, it’s important for us all to continue to  Remember, Honor, Renew…and Imagine a world of compassion and acceptance.

~Linda V.

 

Remember, Honor, Renew…and Imagine.

As an airline employee  I’ve flown now on numerous 9/11 anniversaries, including today, returning from Orlando this morning from visiting my beautiful  daughter, Anjuli.   Days after this other day which will also live on in infamy, we were given lapel pins which read “Remember, Honor, Renew” and I’ve worn it ever since on my uniform in remembrance.  You can’t help but Remember the horrific events of September, 11, 2001 – the panic, the disbelief, the heroic actions of so many, the souls lost, the families separated within this lifetime, and also the rather selfish line of  “Where were you on this date?” which people love to go on about.

So today on Patriot Day here in the Untied States we Honor the people from around the world whose lives were lost on U.S. soil here in New York, Washington, D.C.  and Pennsylvannia  because of what, obvious acts of aggression and extreme violence which equate to social/psychological/political intolerance? religious fanaticism? or perceived meritorious acts of moral justice or superiority?   Maybe also a combination of these  and ideals from a  certain small but albeit powerful faction of Muslim separatism, an extreme type of eco-centrism, and a belief that these terrorist acts are selfless,  divine, and which according to these fanatics  result in the extinction of evil and the promotion of greater good?   I recently read about “The Romantic Ideal”  pertaining to The Holy War, which on one website states,

“Muslims emphatically insist that the Jihad, or Holy War, was only a means of defence and was never used as an offensive act…”

I don’t pretend to know much about it, but I do know that many Muslims were dismayed and appalled at these actions.   Read much more on the war on behalf of Islam.

We also need to Honor everyone who reacted immediately with selfless acts – specifically the brave firefighters, police, and unnamed civilian heroes, and afterwards  also to those of all races, creeds and nationalities who spoke against these inhumane actions – thank you!

So how about Renew part?   Let’s continue the healing process to renew our faith in human beings –  as neighbors carpooling each other’s kids to individuals influencing our local and national political candidates – to ourselves as citizens of the world.    If we understand that we all live on one Earth, we can extend this  committment to renewing our stewardship of our own planet – I mean, if we’re going to renew something, there’s nothing more sustainable for the long term than “live locally, act globally!”

When I put my pin on this morning it occurred to me, as a former student of landscape architecture back in the late 90’s and now as an ecological designer of greenroofs and green walls, that “Remember, Honor, Renew” is also a great philosophy in terms of environmental design.   We are taught to look at a site’s history, both physical and cultural, to determine the “genius loci” or spirit of place as a basis of design.   So from this perspective we can create a spiritual connection to the past in addition to promoting a renewal of ideals and ecological principles for the future, and really express the true nature of a site.

But the Imagine piece of the equation came to me from a rather personal perspective, but one that fits this new amended motto of “Remember, Honor, Renew…and Imagine.”   Our oldest son, Joey, celebrated his first anniversary with his wife, Korinne, in late July, and he picked out John Lennon’s “Imagine” as our wedding song together as mother and son – talk about a tear jerker!   It seemed the perfect fit for my firstborn who has grown into a young creative man with high ideals, so why not for the more jaded of us, too:

“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one” ~ John Lennon, 1971

Unrealistic utopia?   Can we truly live as one?   Could we ever live without possessions?   I doubt it – who knows.   But the sentiment is real and  parents pass on their beliefs and dreams for the future to their children, and we as designers  also have the  responsibility to pass on this type of holistic thinking to our clients and colleagues, don’t you think?

Imagine a world working in tandem to combat issues as seemingly unimportant  as a specific  religion (God is God, right?) or political theology to more pressing ones such as global warming (Nature as God perhaps?) and freedom, peace and safety for all.

So, “Remember, Honor, Renew…and Imagine.”   Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, maybe the new Freedom Tower which will replace New York’s World Trade Center (finished by 2011 or so)  will embrace this new credo, but we certainly don’t have to wait until then to continue believing in ourselves and each other,  and imagining a better future, do we?

Linda V.

BAU 2025

Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials, Systems

The future of building

BAU, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems, takes place every two years. Everyone involved in the international community for planning, building and designing buildings comes together here—i.e. architects, planners, investors, representatives of the industrial and commercial sectors, the building trades, etc.

Their primary interests include the latest techniques, materials and applications that can be put to use in actual practice. This is where visitors experience the future of building in person.

The Buildings Show 2023

“THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE FACE TO FACE EXPERIENCE OF EVENTS, AND THE BUILDINGS SHOW IS ONE OF THE BEST…”

Experience 4 Events with 1 Ticket: Construct Canada, PM Expo, Homebuilder & Renovator Expo, and the World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion. Every angle of the Canadian building industry under 1 roof saves you time, effort, and money

For 35 years, The Buildings Show has delivered the most cutting edge, expert-led seminars, informative panels, thought provoking roundtables, and an electric tradeshow experience that can’t be missed.

IT’S TIME TO BUILD YOUR EVENT JOURNEY BELOW

Create your own journey through our 4 main industry tracks offered at The Buildings Show. Each track showcases a curated selection of accredited sessions, speaker highlights, and additional information and opportunities for you to build out your perfect days onsite at the event.

The built environment is rapidly evolving. The Buildings Show takes you to the forefront of these changes and keeps you competitive with best-in-class continuing education opportunities. Featuring more than 100 conference sessions, The Buildings Show 2023 covers the critical issues for new and existing buildings – view the agenda and take a look at the schedule of events as they will take place November 29 – December 1. Schedule is listed in Eastern time.

Don’t miss exhibits by: The ARCHITEK Group of Companies, Soprema Canada, and Tremco Construction Products Group.

The Evolution of LiveRoof: Forbs

The Evolution of LiveRoof: Forbs

LiveRoof, LLC is a West Michigan Company that developed the LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System: the only green roof solution installed with fully mature plants thriving in a healthy, connected ecosystem from day one of installation. LiveRoof’s natural function and natural beauty offer exceptional performance, require very low maintenance and have a predictable cost. LiveRoof projects often become signature elements on commercial, public, university and school buildings all over the US and Canada.

I am Doni Burton, Business Development Specialist for LiveRoof Global, LLC. It is my privilege to interview amazing people from our LiveRoof Network this year. My main responsibility as business development specialist is working with LiveRoof Global Growers and their customers. Previously, I completed my doctor of education in 2019 and most of my career was in educational administration. I have also taught for many years as a university professor, but working at LiveRoof has taught me about the incredible benefits provided by green roofs. My hope is that this series of interviews will nurture the environmental and horticultural interests of each reader.

This year LiveRoof celebrates its 16th year and we are doing so with a year-long theme: The Evolution of the Green Roof. Specifically, we will focus on LiveRoof Growers, Products, Processes and Plants. Please enjoy this second interview in the series. Additional interviews to follow include: Grasses as Green Roof Plants, and The Evolution of Biodiversity in Green Roofs.


I spoke with Tom Hawkins, owner of Florasource Ltd., a well-known and respected horticultural supply firm in Southern California. Tom has owned this company for 38 years and has been a licensed LiveRoof partner for 15 years. While it is true that Tom has the knowledge and experience to speak on all aspects related to green roofs, this interview will use his connection to forbs (broad leaved plants) as a focus, and I will ask Tom to share what he sees as the future with forbs and the green roof industry.

Getting to Know Tom Hawkins
In order to appreciate Tom’s knowledge and experiences, we must first learn about his history and path to success.

“Years ago, we provided a range of western native grasses for a large green roof in Salt Lake City. That project was my first time on a green roof, and that visit and subsequent visits to that roof somehow just spoke to me. Not too long after that installation I met horticulturist, Dave MacKenzie at a tradeshow, and he mentioned he was starting a new company called LiveRoof. One discussion led to another, and we have been representing LiveRoof in California for 15 years now.”

Florasource Ltd.
Tom takes a different approach for growing LiveRoof than other LiveRoof growers.

“As a grower during my early years in the nursery industry, I liked the challenges involved in plant production including sourcing materials, crop scheduling, and learning to grow new types of plants. I also liked the technical side of growing, and the teamwork that is essential in the production process.

Our company, Florasource Ltd., is not a grower but is a horticultural supply firm. For the past 38 years we have represented over 50 specialty propagation nurseries, providing young plants and supporting services to production nurseries in our region.

As the LiveRoof portion of our business has grown, we now partner with two long-time California based Florasource-customers in the production of LiveRoof modules. This production is similar to growing nursery crops, but with some additional considerations and challenges that come with producing plants for green roofs.”

The Role of Forbs on Green Roofs
“Early on, most of our green roofs were sedum roofs. But, over the years we have seen a developing interest in meadow themes, initially with grasses only, and eventually with both grasses and forbs, and some of these also include sedums. Initially the focus was on adding seasonal color, but over time we have seen an increasing interest in the inclusion of native pollinator plants, leading to some wonderful projects that provide for habitat replacement in addition to other green roof benefits.”

Why It Matters
Wherever there is a building, there was once nature (e.g., forest, meadow, prairie), and piece by piece we are doing away with nature via development. Will we eliminate development? Probably not. But biodiverse green roofs can help compensate by putting nature on the roof for pollinators and birds.

A Promising Future
Tom and his company have the experience and knowledge to assist local designers in the specification of specific plant communities for biodiverse green roofs. Tom and the rest of the Florasource Ltd team are key partners for LiveRoof as we endeavor to rebalance the constructed and natural world.

This is the third in the series: The Evolution of LiveRoof its People, Products, Processes and Plants. We hope you enjoy the series throughout this year. The next interview will focus on Forbs and will publish at the end of June. I’m Doni Burton, Business Development Specialist for LiveRoof Global. I can be reached via email at doni@liveroof.com.

Read more about this post: https://liveroof.com/the-evolution-of-liveroof-forbs/ and you can read the previous articles in this series, Part 1: LiveRoof’s founder, Dave MacKenzie, and Part 2: Sedums for Green Roofs.

BAU 2023

World’s Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials, Systems

After more than four years away, BAU—the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems—will start in just a few days on the grounds of Messe München. From April 17 to 22, more than 2,200 exhibitors from 49 countries will present innovations and trends from the construction industry in an area of 200,000 square meters. In addition to numerous solutions and products, BAU also offers visitors a comprehensive supporting program with forums, special shows, conferences and award ceremonies.

The world’s leading trade fair BAU will demonstrate the diversity of the construction industry not only in the exhibition area with various trades, but also in the supporting program. The various visitor groups, such as architects, planners, developers and tradespeople, will have the opportunity to tailor the additional offerings to their own individual needs.

GRHC: Boston Region Grey To Green Conference

At the 2023 Boston Grey to Green Conference, we will be exploring the most recent green infrastructure science, economic valuation, asset management, public policy, technologies, and best practices in design, installation and maintenance. Our goal is to help inform the current policy debate by making the case for a rapid and significant increase in green infrastructure investment, a growing trend worldwide.

This conference will have a strong focus on providing content tailored for designers, contractors, installers, maintenance professionals, and policy makers. This content includes practical information about the implementation and maintenance of green infrastructure systems. There will also be introductory programming to attract new and aspiring industry professionals.

The event spans over two days, with training, a plenary session, tours, technical presentations, panel discussions and a central trade show.

The Boston Grey to Green Conference is pending approval for 7 CEUs from: AIA, ASLA, IIBEC, and USGBC. The conference is approved for 7 GRP Credits.

Sponsors:

 

                 

 

High Line Redux 2023, Part 1 of 2

High Line Redux, Part 1

All Photos by and ©Steven L. Cantor, ASLA Except as Noted

I previously presented a series of photographic essays on the High Line in 2013-2015, A Comparison of the 3 Phases of the High Line 14-Part Series.

It’s stimulating to revisit this now much more well-established park, although a work in progress because major construction is still occurring adjacent to it. Even though the High Line was at first completely closed during the COVID-19 lockdown, park management has found effective ways of opening it during the pandemic, and the public has clearly relished it as an open space system and garden, and a place for exercise, fresh air, conversation, and art.

Rather than a long essay, I offer bulleted points and thoughts for your consideration in two parts from additional High Line walks of November 2022 and December 2021:

1. The High Line is a well-established, continually evolving pinnacle of urban design in Manhattan and has inspired many similar designs all over the world. Elements of its integrated design have assumed legendary status, even iconic.

High Line Redux

Sunning on the High Line

High Line Redux

The High Line’s icons include the large benches on wheels on the Barry Diller Diane Von Furstenberg Plaza, one of the most popular places for sunbathing and socializing.

High Line Redux

A young man sits with a backdrop of a Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria).

High Line Redux

High Line Redux

Two other widely recognized icons are the Tenth Avenue Square where people sit and watch cars go by underneath them as they sit on comfortable wooden risers and the integrated design of wooden benches throughout the park.

2. The High Line still impacts its surroundings as new buildings are erected, plantings are updated, new art is installed, the neighborhood evolves, and gentrification continues.

High Line Redux

6.25.12

High Line Redux

11.19.21. The contrast in architecture from two views of the same site shows the remarkable changes as a result of new architectural construction almost over a decade.

From its beginning point at Gansevoort Street to its termination at Hudson Yards, there is a diversity of striking architecture by notable masters such as Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, and many emerging younger talents.

3. The High Line was closed down totally during COVID-19, then opened with social distancing guidelines. (The Interim Walkway, the loop wrapping around Hudson Yards, remains closed intermittently as there is ongoing construction at the rail yards.) There has been some discussion among planners and city officials about possibly relocating Madison Square Garden over the western part of Hudson Yards, which would, of course, impact the Interim Walkway. At the same time development of the original plans for the second phase of Hudson Yards have been delayed.

Visitors may enter without registering on a smartphone app Monday through Thursday all day long, as well as on Friday mornings, but on weekends there used to be a requirement that they must register ahead of time to control crowding. This has now ended. This method, of course, limited the use of the High Line on weekends to those who have smartphones or laptops, or people whose friends do. Admission remains free. Signs now indicate, “Masks are recommended.” Earlier signs said, “Masks required.”

Two images show the High Line’s efforts to comply with the demands of the COVID pandemic: the highlight is above an entrance sign; the detail is along a walk.

Jump ahead to the spring of 2022 and these registration requirements were lifted. I’ve walked sections of the High Line when it’s been quite crowded although not as dense as I recall pre-pandemic. 

 4. There are still many restrictions against bicycles, skate boards, roller skates, and even pets, but given the intense use, and the obstacles caused by the railroad tracks and uneven pavements and many intricacies within the design, I see no alternatives.

5. At odd hours joggers are running, an activity that seems potentially dangerous. However, when I’ve watched joggers, they are clearly experienced on the “High Line Course,” as if they’ve previously walked it and examined every obstacle, so they know every intricacy in their path.

6. Elevators are located at multiple locations, although more appear needed. At major entrances there is a unified, thematic treatment of pavements, stairs, and plantings.

7. Maintenance costs are high, yet funding is well established through the NYC Parks Department, www.thehighline.org, and private donations. At any sign of graffiti or out-of-order issue, there is an immediate response from staff.

In the last year (perhaps coinciding with directions from the High Line’s new director Richard Hayden), the staff has engaged in a rigorous maintenance program including weeding, deadheading, thinning canopies to let more light in, and removing the occasional dead specimen or weak planting. The impact seems to be invigorating the plantings which remain.

A team of High Line staff shows up to address a graffito sketched on the pavement.

A typical Friends of the High Line cart with staff giving directions, leaflets, information.

8. After years of experimentation, effective knee-high black edging separating planting beds from walkways has been consistently installed and is clearly visible. Surprisingly, there are still a few locations where it is missing. I am unsure if it’s been deemed unnecessary in some locations, or if the construction crews have just not reached that particular location as yet.

High Line Redux

High Line Redux

High Line Redux

Edging separating pavement and planting bed is just visible enough to be effective and not distracting.

High Line Redux

At times a slight elevation change at edges is necessary to keep people from stepping into the beds. Earlier edging was green; more recent is black, stiffer and more sturdy, with buckles.

9. The water features and drinking fountains were finally activated in the summer of 2021; in May they were still inoperative, so there must have been a threshold of safety relating to COVID-19 concerns that was reached, at which point it was determined that it was safe to make them once again operational.

High Line Redux

Another iconic feature is the recirculating sheet of water opposite the sunbathing benches, which draw large crowds of people of all ages. Its appearance is dramatically different when dry, yet still effective. The drinking fountains are popular, so it’s helpful when they are labeled not in service during winter months.

10. The urban design principles that were established are sound, so when violated, they are striking, such as the 10-story limit to buildings abutting the corridor.[1] This is noticeable, for example, with Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House buildings constructed on either side of the High Line between 17th Street and 18th Street, completed in September 2021.[2] [3]

High Line Redux

Thomas Heatherwick’s twin Lantern House buildings on right. Image: Mark Davies

A towering view over the High Line of One High Line by BIG on the left and Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House on the right. Image: Mark Davies

I believe that whichever developer owned the property donated a parcel on the east side which was to become the visitor center for the High Line, in return for which the owner was allowed to build taller. It’s an unfortunate tradeoff; eventually, the High Line did not opt for that location. The impact of construction of the building itself has been severe, as all but shade trees have been removed, and the beds are being prepared for new perennials. The twin buildings feature condo towers, over 20 stories tall on the west side, 10 stories on the east side, which will be linked underneath the park, and include barrel vaulted windows of a unique shape which will accent the architecture. 

The stiffer and sturdier edging is seen at the base of Thomas Heatherwick’s barrel-vaulted buildings which rise well above the previously limited height restrictions set for the High Line, creating a canyon-like effect.

One High Line by BIG under construction. Image: Mark Davies

High Line Redux

Image: Mark Davies

Immediately adjacent is an even taller complex, One High Line, twin 26 and 36 story luxury condo towers designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) at 11th Avenue. Previously caught up in bankruptcy proceedings perhaps exacerbated by the pandemic, it is now scheduled for debut this summer.[4] [5]

11. Some portions of the High Line are covered with what has come to be almost permanent scaffolding to protect pedestrians from ongoing construction or existing conditions.

High Line Redux

Image: Mark Davies

12. Given the High Line’s dedicated commitment to sculpture and art, it would be an innovation to sponsor a competition for ways to reimagine and redefine scaffolding so that it adds to the character of the park rather than continues as an eyesore.

High Line Redux

Semi-permanent and temporary scaffolding: What if they were painted, decorated, or envisaged in a sculpturally artistic way? VOILA!! Instead of being squeezed through a narrow bottleneck or being forced to look at standard hardware, pedestrians could relish something delightful and fun.

13. There is irrigation, and variable depths of plantings (extensive or intensive green roof). The city periodically experiences heat waves and droughts, so irrigation is essential to the survival of the plant materials, no matter how hardy and drought resistant they are.

Occasionally trees or other plantings die. The main reasons seem to be due to construction activities or loss of irrigation.

High Line Redux

Note the contrast between two areas, one where the irrigation is working, and one where it is not.

14. Throughout the High Line plant materials are remarkably resilient, even when totally shaded on one or two sides. It helps that the route runs primarily north to south, so that the plantings benefit from morning or afternoon exposures.

15. All over there is an inspired use of diverse plant materials, particularly perennials. It is a great outdoor setting to study what thrives and what does not. It has even changed established practices about what species of trees will grow in an urban setting and how to plant them, for example, dogwoods, magnolias, and sassafras.

High Line Redux

Sambucus in foreground with Kousa Dogwood in background.

High Line Redux

Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)

Gayfeather (Liatris spicata)

High Line Redux

Woodland with Bigleaf Magnolia in foreground.

Elderberry (Sambucus sp)

High Line Redux

Staghorn Sumac (Sumac typhina)

Join me next time for the second and final installment of my High Line Redux 2023.

Cumulative “High Line Redux 2023, Part 1 of 2” Series End-notes

[1] See Amended Zoning Resolutions for H and I https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-ix/chapter-8. Also, three conversations with Mark Davies of Higher Ground Horticulture in October and November, 2021 and February 2023.

[2] https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/10/thomas-heatherwick-515-west-18th-street-condo-towers-bulging-windows-chelsea-new-york/ and www.lanternhouse.com                                                                                                                          

[3] https://www.designboom.com/architecture/heatherwick-studio-lantern-house-new-york-city-complete-high-line-09-16-2021/ 

[4] https://nypost.com/2021/10/21/high-line-nyc-towers-the-twists-could-face-more-delays/

[5] https://news.yahoo.com/inside-bjarke-ingels-stunning-pair-193000324.html   

Publisher’s Note:

See the High Line Project Profiles in the Greenroofs.com Projects Database for High Line, Phase 1; High Line, Phase 2; and High Line, Phase 3.

Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect

Little Island MNLA 3

Photo by Thomas Riis

Steven L. Cantor is a registered Landscape Architect in New York and Georgia with a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He first became interested in landscape architecture while earning a BA at Columbia College (NYC) as a music major. He was a professor at the School of Environmental Design, University of Georgia, Athens, teaching a range of courses in design and construction in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. During a period when he earned a Master’s Degree in Piano in accompanying, he was also a visiting professor at the College of Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has also taught periodically at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx) and was a visiting professor at Anhalt University, Bernberg, Germany.

He has worked for over four decades in private practice with firms in Atlanta, GA and New York City, NY, on a diverse range of private development and public works projects throughout the eastern United States: parks, streetscapes, historic preservation applications, residential estates, public housing, industrial parks, environmental impact assessment, parkways, cemeteries, roof gardens, institutions, playgrounds, and many others.

Steven has written widely about landscape architecture practice, including two books that survey projects: Innovative Design Solutions in Landscape Architecture and Contemporary Trends in Landscape Architecture (Van Nostrand Reinhold, John Wiley & Sons, 1997). His book Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design (WW Norton, 2008), provides definitions of the types of green roofs and sustainable design, studies European models, and focuses on detailed case studies of diverse green roof projects throughout North America. In 2010 the green roofs book was one of thirty-five nominees for the 11th annual literature award by the international membership of The Council on Botanical & Horticultural Libraries for its “outstanding contribution to the literature of horticulture or botany.”

Steven’s most recent book is Professional and Practical Considerations for Landscape Design (Oxford University Press, 2020) where he explains the field of landscape architecture, outlining with authority how to turn drawings of designs into creative, purposeful, and striking landscapes and landforms in today’s world.

He has been a regular attendee and contributor at various ASLA, green roofs and other conferences in landscape architecture topics. In recent years Steven has had more time for music activities, as a solo pianist and accompanist.

Steven joined the Greenroofs.com editorial team in December, 2013 as the Landscape Editor. In February, 2015 he completed his 14-part series “A Comparison of the Three Phases of the High Line, New York City: A Landscape Architect and Photographer’s Perspective“and a survey of green roofs in Copenhagen Green Tour 2015.

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