The Judges Awards

11.3 The High Line
by Friends of the High Line, James Cornerfield Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Built in the 1930s to raise dangerous freight trains above Manhattan's streets, the 1.45 mile-long High Line was abandoned 29 years ago. Thanks to a decade of dedication from Friends of the High Line, headed by writer Joshua David and painter Robert Hammond, the first section of the line (from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street) reopened as a much- needed urban park in June 2009. The regeneration project, masterplanned by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, transforms the tracks using concrete decking, naturalistic planting, landscaped borders and fixed and moveable wooden seating. Responsible for the maintenance of the park, Friends of the High Line also hosts community events (such as the biannual Kitchen High Line Block Party), oversees an education programme and commissions public artworks. Section 2 of the project (up to 30th Street) is scheduled to open in autumn 2010, while Section 3 (up to 34th Street) has yet to be approved.

Located: New York
Key features: A peaceful park built on a former train line running through Manhattan's West Side
Other projects: Diller Scofidio + Renfro: ICA, Boston; School of American Ballet extension, New York. James Corner Field Operations: Fresh Kills Park, Staten Island, New York; Lake Ontario Park, Toronto

View more images
www.thehighline.org
www.fieldoperations.net
www.dillerscofidio.com

Categories