The Manhattan skyline, often celebrated as a symbol of human triumph over nature, and the Smith-9th St Station from which it can be viewed, are not mere coincidences. They are the inevitable products of nature’s cyclical processes, involving bedrock, mountains, rivers, humans, and the universe, accumulated over millions of years. In reality, the Manhattan skyline itself is a part of nature, born from the same natural forces. We are perpetually surrounded by nature.
To help visitors experience the natural cycles embodied in the Manhattan skyline, I redesigned the train station. As visitors ascend the station, they engage with the profound history of natural elements like the bedrock, Gowanus Creek, and Gowanus Canal—elements that have shaped the skyline’s current condition. Finally, from the platform, they are met with a sweeping view of the sky, sun, skyline, and even the polluted Gowanus Canal, allowing them to feel the awe of nature’s power and resilience.
