Client: JASA for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development - Project Partners: Think! Architecture & Design PLLC - Awards: 2018 Architizer A+ Awards Jury Winner in the Unbuilt Multi-Unit Housing (S<10 Floors) Category
Nolita Garden - New York
Project Info
!melk’s proposal retains the open and eclectic character of the beloved Elizabeth Street Garden in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Deliberately providing visibility and access from both Elizabeth Street and Mott Street, !melk’s design creates an intimate garden that is surprising yet connected to the urban fabric.
Once inside the garden, one enjoys time spent in serenity and respite, away from the chaos of the street. From the granite cobble pavement to the “glass bullet and cast iron” skylight panels, !melk’s aim was to maintain a contextuality and a patina that is unique to the neighborhood. The skylights are especially instrumental in providing much needed natural light to the cellar level of the adjacent buildings, which include a large commercial space, as well as tenant amenity spaces.
!melk’s garden design aims to enhance an intrinsic and unexpected beauty and draw locals and visitors alike. Whether for a leisurely stroll beneath the dappled light of the large trees, or to sit-down for a quick lunch, or to read a good book, the garden offers unique and unexpected experiences for all.
A carefully selected plant palette introduces year-round beauty and interest to the site, while the planters themselves act as sculptures within the garden. The dramatic ellipsoid and parabolic geometries of the planters twist and morph as you move through the space, revealing unique articulations that distinguish one from the another. The design also features two water elements, each intentionally sculpted to be stunning in the winter months without water.
!melk’s proposal retains the open and eclectic character of the beloved Elizabeth Street Garden in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Deliberately providing visibility and access from both Elizabeth Street and Mott Street, !melk’s design creates an intimate garden that is surprising yet connected to the urban fabric.
Once inside the garden, one enjoys time spent in serenity and respite, away from the chaos of the street. From the granite cobble pavement to the “glass bullet and cast iron” skylight panels, !melk’s aim was to maintain a contextuality and a patina that is unique to the neighborhood. The skylights are especially instrumental in providing much needed natural light to the cellar level of the adjacent buildings, which include a large commercial space, as well as tenant amenity spaces.
!melk’s garden design aims to enhance an intrinsic and unexpected beauty and draw locals and visitors alike. Whether for a leisurely stroll beneath the dappled light of the large trees, or to sit-down for a quick lunch, or to read a good book, the garden offers unique and unexpected experiences for all.
A carefully selected plant palette introduces year-round beauty and interest to the site, while the planters themselves act as sculptures within the garden. The dramatic ellipsoid and parabolic geometries of the planters twist and morph as you move through the space, revealing unique articulations that distinguish one from the another. The design also features two water elements, each intentionally sculpted to be stunning in the winter months without water.