Atmospheric Archiving redefines Manhattan’s coastal defense by resolving the “Seawall Paradox” where concrete production accelerates the very sea-level rise it aims to stop. Located in Battery Park, this innovative public library vertically integrates Direct Air Capture (DAC) with an on-site concrete factory. By mineralizing captured CO2 directly into structural blocks through carbon curing, the building transforms into a geological archive and a production hub for Manhattan’s carbon neutral infrastructure. From its 1st-floor production zone to the 5th-floor purified air roof top park, the project merges cutting edge climate technology with civic life, turning defensive barriers into smart, sustainable shields for the city.
