Little Island at Pier 55 is a unique park and performance venue on the Hudson River in New York City. The project combines public park space with artistic performances and community events. The project was initiated by Barry Diller, a media mogul and philanthropist, who was looking to create a public space that would bring people together, foster creativity and enhance the quality of life in the city. Heatherwick Studio designed the park, which opened in May 2021. It covers 2.4 acres and is supported by 132 pot-shaped structures suspended above the water, which in turn stand on 280 concrete pilings extending into the riverbed.
Structural Design | Little Island at Pier 55
Arup Group oversaw the structural design of the park. Supported by 132 pot-shaped structures named tulips, the park covers over 2.4 acres. The structural design of Little Island at Pier 55 is a marvel of engineering and design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The park is built on a series of 280 concrete piles that support a steel structure that forms the base. Park. The piles were driven deep into the riverbed to ensure stability and minimise the impact of waves and currents. The steel structure is covered by a series of 132 unique precast concrete pots that vary in size, shape, and orientation.
The pots are arranged in a series of undulating shapes that create a unique natural and artificial landscape. Each pot weighs between 35 and 65 tons and is filled with soil and planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers. The pots were precast off-site and transported to the site by barge. The design team created a custom lifting system that allowed the pots to be hoisted into place by a crane. The park’s performance venue is covered by a translucent canopy of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) material.
The canopy provides shade during the day and allows for light shows at night. The canopy is supported by a series of steel masts anchored to the piles. Combining the steel structure, the precast pots, and the ETFE canopy creates a unique and innovative design that is both functional and beautiful. The park’s design was inspired by the natural landscapes of the Hudson River, and it provides visitors with a unique and immersive experience that is unlike any other park in the world.
Landscape
The landscape of Little Island at Pier 55 is a unique and innovative design that creates an immersive and visually stunning public space. The park is built on a “floating” structure that appears to rise out of the Hudson River, supported by a complex system of pilings. The park’s undulating topography and lush plantings are intended to create a sense of movement and flow, with winding pathways that lead visitors on a journey through the space. The park features a diverse range of plantings, including more than 350 trees, shrubs, and other plants, creating a verdant oasis in the city’s heart.
One of the park’s most distinctive features is its amphitheatre, a circular performance space that provides a unique venue for concerts, dance performances, and other cultural events. The amphitheatre is surrounded by smaller performance spaces, which provide opportunities for more intimate performances and gatherings. Visitors can enjoy a range of other amenities and features throughout the park, including water, seating areas, and stunning views of the Hudson River and the surrounding cityscape. The park is also designed with accessibility in mind, with ramps and elevators to ensure that visitors with disabilities can easily navigate all areas of the space.
Stakeholders | Little Island at Pier 55
Firstly, the primary stakeholders of Little Island at Pier 55 are the Hudson River Park Trust, the non-profit organisation responsible for maintaining and developing the park, and its funders. These stakeholders are responsible for overseeing the construction and ongoing maintenance of the park, ensuring that it remains a safe and accessible space for the public to enjoy. Secondly, the local community surrounding Pier 55 is another important stakeholder. The park provides a new public space for residents and visitors alike, offering a variety of free programming and events throughout the year. As such, the community ensures that the park remains well-maintained and accessible.
Thirdly, the performers and artists who use Little Island at Pier 55 as a venue for their work are also important stakeholders. The park provides a unique and visually stunning setting for various artistic and cultural events, and its success is tied to the success of these performers. Finally, the general public who visit and utilise the park are stakeholders. As users of the space, they have a vested interest in ensuring that it remains a safe and enjoyable environment for all and that it continues to offer a diverse range of programming and events that reflect the needs and interests of the community.
Construction Process
The construction of Little Island at Pier 55 was a complex and multi-stage process that took several years to complete. The project was initiated by entertainment mogul Barry Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who provided the majority of the funding for the park. The project began in 2014 by forming the Hudson River Park Trust’s Pier 55 Development Agreement with Pier55, Inc., a non-profit organisation established by Diller and von Furstenberg to oversee the park’s construction. The agreement stipulated that Pier55, Inc. would be responsible for financing, designing, and building the park, while the Trust would provide the necessary permits and approvals.
The construction of Little Island at Pier 55 involved several stages, including the installation of a complex system of pilings to support the structure, the creation of the park’s distinctive undulating topography, and the installation of a variety of amenities and infrastructure, including a performance stage, a restaurant, and an array of public spaces. The project faced several legal challenges and controversies throughout construction but was completed and opened to the public in May 2021. Since then, the park has become a popular destination for visitors and locals, offering a unique and visually stunning public space in the heart of New York City.
Design Team | Little Island at Pier 55
The talented team behind Little Island at Pier 55 includes the esteemed Thomas Heatherwick Studio, whose cutting-edge designs have won acclaim worldwide. In addition, they enlisted the help of a talented landscape architecture firm, Mathews Nielsen, to create the park’s lush surroundings. And to make sure everything ran smoothly, Arup provided engineering and infrastructure design services. Finally, Schlaich Bergermann Partner was responsible for the structural engineering of the park’s innovative support system of 280 concrete piles. With all of these talented individuals working together, it’s no wonder Little Island at Pier 55 is such a beautiful and well-designed landmark.
The design team faced a difficult challenge in designing a park supported by piles over the Hudson River. To address this, they developed a floating structure that appears to rise from the water. The resulting design of Little Island at Pier 55 is a beautiful and unique public space that has quickly become a popular destination in New York City. The park’s undulating topography and carefully curated plantings give visitors a lush and immersive experience. At the same time, its performance stage and other amenities make it a vibrant hub of cultural activity.
Reactions to the Project Proposal
The Little Island at Pier 55 project generated a range of reactions from different stakeholders, including community groups, environmental organisations, and members of the public. The project’s initial announcement was met with enthusiasm from donors, including media mogul Barry Diller and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who pledged $130 million to fund the project. Some environmental organisations expressed concerns about the potential impact of the park on the Hudson River ecosystem, particularly in terms of disrupting fish habitats and increasing water pollution.
The project’s design team addressed these concerns by incorporating sustainable features into the park’s design, such as plantings that help filter air and water pollutants. Some community groups opposed the project, citing concerns about the impact on local traffic and the potential For. The park attracts large crowds that would disrupt the neighbourhood. The project’s design team addressed these concerns by incorporating features that would improve accessibility and reduce congestion, such as ramps and elevators, to ensure that visitors with disabilities could easily access all park areas.
Despite some concerns and opposition, the project generated excitement and anticipation from members of the public, who looked forward to creating a new public space and performance venue in the heart of New York City. Overall, the reactions to the project proposals for Little Island at Pier 55 were mixed, with some stakeholders expressing support and enthusiasm, while others expressed concerns and opposition. However, the project ultimately moved forward, and the completed park has been widely praised for its innovative design and unique public offerings.
References: Little Island at Pier 55
- Heatherwick Studio | Design & Architecture. (n.d.). Heatherwick Studio | Design & Architecture | Little Island. [online] Available at: https://www.heatherwick.com/project/pier55/
- Wikipedia. (2022). Little Island at Pier 55. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Island_at_Pier_55
- ArchDaily. (2021). Little Island Park / Heatherwick Studio. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/962374/little-island-park-heatherwick-studio
- Little Island. (n.d.). Home. [online] Available at: https://littleisland.org/
- www.arup.com. (n.d.). Transforming Hudson River’s Pier 55 into Little Island – a whimsical urban park and performance venue. [online] Available at: https://www.arup.com/projects/little-island
- A New $260 Million Park Floats on the Hudson. It’s a Charmer. (Published 2021). (2022). The New York Times. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/arts/little-island-barry-diller.html
- Montgomery, L. (2022). NY’s New Urban Oasis: Manhattan’s ‘Little Island’ Pier 55. [online] Hycrete. Available at: https://hycrete.com/nys-new-urban-oasis-manhattans-little-island-pier-55/
- www.mnlandscape.com. (n.d.). Projects – Little Island – Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects. [online] Available at: https://www.mnlandscape.com/projects/Pier_55
