NYC officials approved plans to build the world’s first underground park back in 2016, and it’ll finally be a reality soon!
The Lowline project is being developed in the one-acre space which was formerly the Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal in the Lower East Side. Lowline is being designed by Raad Studio’s James Ramsey using a “remote skyline” which will allow the underground plants to grow through the reflection of sunlight into the tunnel. The design is explained as:
“[Sunlight] passes through a glass shield above the parabolic collector, and is reflected and gathered at one focal point, and directed underground. Sunlight is transmitted onto a reflective surface on the distributor dish underground, transmitting that sunlight into the space.”
With this technology, the space won’t need to use electricity for light when there’s sunshine. In order to introduce the project to the public, organizers of the Lowline opened a temporary pop-up lab and technical exhibition called the Lowline Lab that ran from 2015 until 2017. During that time, the unique lab allowed people to explore what it would look like while also testing water collection systems, ways to regulate air temperature, and lighting technology best suited for growing plants underground.
The public green space will be located below Delancey Street, near Katz’s Deli, when it opens in 2021. Take a look at some of the photos from Lowline Lab for a glimpse of what you can expect from this new community space.
featured image source: The Lowline