The project addresses the paradox of inviting people into a flood-prone site while protecting them and restoring the ecology of a contaminated, impermeable train shed. Instead of resisting water, we embrace it—using landscape transitions and gradients of wetness and dryness to absorb, slow, and divert water in response to tides, flooding, and sea level rise.
The site transforms from softscape to hardscape, southeast to northwest, with rippled slopes that manage water flow and bathymetric forms that break wave energy. Construction begins with removing toxic soil and forming slopes with concrete platforms and soil pockets. Water-absorbent plants improve permeability and resilience over time.
A 45-foot structure rises up at the northwest corner of the site, seamlessly blending in with the natural surroundings. It offers both indoor and outdoor areas for learning, studying, and connecting with the natural environment. Classrooms and interactive labs for children are located on the first floor, while the second floor features archives, research labs, and a terrace with views of the landscape.
The structure blends into the landscape when viewed from the river, but appears as a human-made intervention with active use when seen from land. This project turns traditional infrastructure into a dynamic system where water, plants, and people collaborate to create a sustainable future.
