New York's Little Island rises from Pier 54 of the Hudson River like a dream full of sinuous shapes and lush vegetation. “Beautiful and impossible,” Gianna Nannini would say. It's no wonder this new park has become such a beloved “break from the city.”
Structure it is an “eccentric” appendage to the surrounding Hudson River Park. Little Island was born from the ashes of the defunct pier, destroyed in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. And it shows in all its glory how we can build back better, what they are and what they can be public spaces well conceived.
How Little Island was born
This very special space cost around 260 million dollars, and is the "son" of Thomas Heatherwick, the English designer already known in New York for the Vessel. Heatherwick, known for his design strategies that aim to create immersive experiences for visitors, went more “minimal” with Little Island. The result was a more accessible and visitor-friendly structure that, rather than being imposing, is welcoming and downright pricey.
The first impact with Little Island is enough to make anyone jump with joy. From the murky waters of the Hudson River (except those that are filtered by this spectacular swimming pool) stand out white structures that almost dazzle the eyes. Visitors feel like they are entering a comic book world, a Super Mario World-style setting. Or a (I don't know how to say otherwise) gigantic mini golf.
Imposing, captivating, delicious. How to create a natural refuge while being an integral part of a megalopolis. Architects, take a pen and paper.
Lessons of the future
Many ideas for the public parks of the future They're from Little Island. First of all you really can't escape a view of the city from there. He is in the background, looming and distant, but he remains an important player. Then the details, which make Little Island truly special: winding paths interrupted by small differences in level that truly recreate a fairytale experience. A landscape conceived to host small “hidden secrets” that emerge from time to time. Almost an entirely "tactile" place.
Little Island is a pier like any other in the large network of attractions that line the entire Hudson River Park: once you enter, however, you are completely captured, the city ends up in the background and a strange, small nature (complete with mini-hills) ) opens up all its surprises to visitors.
