The undulating berm in East River Park will rise 15 feet to provide flood protection and connect coast and community. It will support diverse new plantings, provide enhanced prospects on the park, and create social spaces. Existing sports fields will be maintained. Wide landscaped bridges will connect the East River Park to the community.

Reprogramming: Dark spaces below highways are turned into urban community areas.

Global finalist entry 2015 - The Dryline: Urban flood protection infrastructure

Global finalist entry 2015 - The Dryline: Urban flood protection infrastructure

Global finalist entry 2015 - The Dryline: Urban flood protection infrastructure

The Dryline was developed by a team of specialists working hand in hand with the end-users through a collective approach including stakeholders and users throughout the design process. Partnered with LESReady! (a coalition of more than 25 community groups coordinating planning efforts for the Lower East Side neighborhood in Manhattan), a series of public outreach work sessions with community end-users were conducted. Residents were invited to build their own resilient waterfront through drawings and interactive models with an array of options for creating a collective vision for their waterfront.

Considering The Dryline is an urban intervention in predominantly a public park setting, it is inherently a low-energy and low-carbon project. One primary component of the design is the flood protection system for which it was attempted to utilize a passive earthen levy approach.

Inspired by the hull of a ship, Manhattan's coastline is divided into different flood compartments - if one compartment is breached, the whole ship won't sink.

The three components the make up BIG U: BIG Bench, Battery, and Berm.

BIG Bench flood protection is designed as if it were street furniture: attractive, fun, practical.

Flip-down flood gates double as an art installation or enclosure for a winter market.

The Berm increases much-needed park space and connectivity; the highways now hinder pedestrian access.