The “Contingency Plan” emerges as a proactive response to the inevitable rise of sea levels, expected to ascend up to 9 feet in the next century due to current carbon emissions. The goal entails incrementally re-appropriating abandoned structures, navigating the ever-evolving landscape with adaptability at its core. The focus extends beyond mere physical restoration, aiming to prolong the life cycle of historical landmarks by integrating them into the wild. Recognizing imminent displacements due to sea level rise, particularly along the Hudson River’s man-made hard-scapes, a phased rehabilitation approach is proposed, anticipating the relocation of displaced accommodations to inland open spaces to address future recreational area shortages. Through the lens of temporal elements and incremental rehabilitation, intervention in the abandoned train shed is justified, aiming to preserve its historical significance while accommodating the shifting landscape. Introducing tectonics as a means of controlled demolition and selective reinforcement, ground conditions and wetness are programmed to create estuaries and diverse recreation accommodations, and ecosystems, thereby extending the coastline’s life cycle. Preemptive and gradual adaptation of individuals to the evolving recreational waterfront landscape is envisioned, fostering a harmonious coexistence between human endeavor and natural resurgence. Overtime, the “Contingency Plan” is positioned to serve as a cumulative archival space, showcasing a redefined preservation methodology amidst the evolving challenges of the world.
