How can a coastal city be protected against surging floodwater without simply surrounding it with a dyke? “The Dryline” is designed to provide flood prevention and enhance daily life on Lower Manhattan in New York City.

The design proposal for ten miles of waterfront was developed over a period of about three months. A number of interventions were planned in conjunction with the city and the community, always tailored to the local needs and physical circumstances. Several basic elements were employed. A system of variously shaped concrete elements is called “big bench.” These form water barriers while also, depending on the particular form, serving as benches, planters, playground seating, bike shelters, or skateboard ramps. The second major element is dykes, which can be built up where space allows. These also serve as green areas and attenuate traffic noise emitted from FDR Drive, the freeway along the East River. Bleak leftover spaces beneath elevated roadways could be transformed by adding public pavilions. Here, market stands, exhibitions, and event venues can be set up. In the event of an emergency, the storm shutters can be rolled down and locked, and the dual function of flood containment comes into play. Also, the entire twelve-kilometer stretch of waterfront could be enhanced with a continuous bicycle path.

Matthijs Bouw from One Architecture in Amsterdam is part of the project team: “We not only looked at the water situation, we also asked ourselves: What else do the people of Manhattan need? Can we combine our water management measures with solutions to other problems?”

Read feature interview in 4th Holcim Awards 2014/2015 (flip-book)