apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Reminds me of the terraces of China near the Great Wall, etc.! Great use of space and adds to the environment.

I think it's an excellent idea, but I wonder why the designer stopped with just the one strip of planters? There is a lot of room in that block to put in more plants. So much open concrete with nothing on it. Maybe it has to do with budget constraints? Or maybe they are leaving room for market stalls to sell the food that is grown in the planters. Anyway, I think it's fantastic, but just I'm curious to know if the designer has particular plans for the open areas, or if it's all just asthetics

I love that some of the circle were left open to let light into the area below the terrace. .

Looks interesting. But:
- Dangerous to children. They climb that hanging garden and fall through one of these holes. Serious injuries, maybe death.

- What will happen with this garden after two summer weeks without any rain?

Not suitable for children and not suitable for plants.

Andreas - valid concerns. I had a chance to see a booklet that the architects put together which shows more details than the website coverage. It is an ambitious plan, and irrigation along with rain capturing is all part of it. They also have made the entire layout, which is essentially PS1's summer leisure and fun area, very interactive (I think they
have a dance floor and DJ area) and kid-friendly.

That, by the way, is why there are not more plantings on the ground - they get a lot of visitors and the space has many uses. There will be periscopes for people to view the top, but the actual picking will be done by staff that are elevated to designated open picking holes using genie lifts.

Under this massive canopy there will be swings, periscopes, benches, misting fans, a swimming pool with a waterfall, a planned farmers market, and there seems to be some planning for solar energy and having it power music, lights and other devices (and cell-phone recharging).

PS1's summer structures always combine 'summer fun, art, music, and architectural experimentation'. But this is the first year to change the urban beach theme into an 'urban farm'. It will definitely be fun to go and see how this idea comes together, what other ideas it sparks - and how well it lasts until the October closing.

Can we do this with trees in the city instead of farming or flowers?? I always feel sorry for that one lonely tree stuck into the sidewalk. Put a mini one on every few blocks!!!! With a few dozen trees!

I don't like this at all. It looks nice in a birds-eye view for city planners, but walking under it will just be like under any bridge.

These things called 'trees' do not take up much space on the ground either, and give a nice green canopy that also looks nice viewed from below.

Planters above street level do have their place. The wall of plants above BHV in Paris comes to mind: http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f5/vertical-gardens-living-walls-53838.html

As for the terrace plan: it looks nice, but again it is a lot of effort for not so much gain in usable surface area. Plants need sunshine, and every bit of planet only receives so much.

Wouldn't we be better off "just" hanging planters from our walls?

The architects who are creating this piece have put a tremendous amount of work into research and planning. They were also smart enough to reach out to the experts in areas that were somewhat new to them. The Horticultural Society of New York with be helping out with plant selection, propogation and maintenance. Many other organizations and individuals have jumped in to lend a hand with their expertise as well, like Council on the Environment of NY will help design rain water catchments systems. This piece offers a great oppurtunity to introduce many urban dwellers to urban gardening. Looking forward to harvesting the goods this summer.....and fall.

I can't get past the fact that the stepped garden structure is just plain butt ugly. Whew---and that apparently unused space under and behind it---buttressed by a stiletto heel thingie.

I have to assume that the safety issues would be addressed in reality. And thanks for the Paris link, Jute Zak---the living walls are beautiful and soothed my nerves jangled by the stairway of hell.

Patrick Blanc-type walls look great, but their plant choices are geared towards that type of construction. PF1 will be harvesting vegetables, some that will grow taller or be heavy, and a flat growing plane will do much better for those needs.

Elevating the plant growing space lets them grow vegetables and have a public gathering place. I think it's smart.

And I like the fact that these architects did consult other organizations (thanks horticulture). I remember last year's New York Magazine article about the man who created a farm in his Bklyn back yard. He missed a huge opportunity to work with many local agencies that have a wealth of knowledge and resources on animal care and farming.

Did this project actually happen? Would love to see some photos.

I'm a big advocate of urban gardening especially for apartment dwellers. We don't need to be left out!

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