Take the High Line

(image via DO)

While living in Manhattan, I used to frequent the Museum of Modern Art, more specifically, the architecture floor. One particular exhibit was the model for a revamping of an old elevated rail line into a park. It always interested me, but from what I could tell, no real progress was being made on it in 2005. Well, after years of advocacy, it's actually open! And apparently it's a big deal- the New York Times, NPR, and Design Observer all did pieces about its opening.

The abandoned rail line, out of use since 1980, was scheduled for demolition, but saved by two citizens Joshua David and Robert Hammond. They teamed up with Mayor Bloomberg to advocate for a renovation of the line into a park. Only the first portion is currently open, running up to W. 20th St. The second portion, extending up to 30th, will be open in Fall 2010. The third section is not yet approved. Containing over 100 different wild flower seeds, the plantings were inspired by the overgrown greenery on the railroad. The train trestle park was designed by the architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro. A vast departure from the sprawling Central Park, the High Line is very narrow and flanked by city buildings. But the beauty of the park is that it's not trying to be another Central Park, something it's not.

Fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg was among one of the big benefactors to the project, along with several other wealthy New York City residents. The organization Friends of the High Line helped raise $44 million for the project. The success of the park has brought to light several other projects for the neighborhood, including a new satellite building of the Whitney designed by the fabulous architect Renzo Piano.

Very inspiring to see this park come to fruition. Reminds us that average citizens can bring about change to our communities.

Renzo Piano At It Again

(via DO)

I absolutely love the city of Chicago. My mother and her side of the family all hail from the Southside, so we have spent a great deal of time in the city. Well, over the past years Chicago has made some drastic improvements: see Millennium Park and rooftop gardens. There is always much to offer in regards to culture, and I make it a point to fit a stop into the Art Institute on each visit, to see the latest exhibit. I hold the Art Institute in very high esteem. Friends, it just moved up another notch. Perusing Design Observer, reading today's post about Renzo Piano's new Modern Wing, I squealed with delight! I adore Renzo's beautifully functional buildings. Always stunning. And I have the privilege to live in a city with a Piano design residing in it- The Nasher Scupture Center in Dallas, Texas. 

This new wing is expansive and yet delicate. Julie Lasky quoted Piano in her post and applauded him for succeeding at channelling Chicago: 

Piano noted, the new urban grid aligned with true compass points (“When you look north, north is exactly what you see”); Chicago’s architecture and its occupants related straightforwardly to their sites. Strength, delicacy, lightness, rationality: Piano sought all of these attributes for his new addition and largely succeeded in imposing them. 

All I can say, is Piano has done it again. And how did I not hear about this project beforehand?!? Go to the Design Observer site to see more photos and read some of the background. I absolutely cannot wait to see his work in person. It will be my first stop next time I'm in Chi-town! 

Just DO it!

(photo from site's title)

Last week, I added a new link to my favourites: Design Observer. A blog with a rotating staff of contributing writers, all about design and things cultural. Hmmm...sounds familiar. :) The writers that take part in this blog are extremely talented and do a fantastic job of drawing me in on the first paragraph. Today's post by Michael Erard called "Cedars" was simply beautiful. Then again, the guy has a writing fellowship, so he should be good. There was also a post by Ernest Beck reviewing the Bklyn Designs show that stimulated a very hot debate- certainly evidence for a well written article. My Google Reader is chock-full of design blogs, but they are more about interior decorating. This one is more about design as a whole, be it graphic, furniture, art, etc. Pop over for a good read.