Umnutzung / Conversion

James Ramsey, the lowLine, RAAD Studio, New York

„The Low Line“

Statement

„The former Williamsburg Trolley Terminal was opened in 1903, as a depot for streetcars ferrying passengers between Williamsburg and the Lower East Side.  It was in service until 1948 when streetcar service was discontinued, and has not been used ever since. Despite six decades of neglect, the space still retains some incredible features, like remnant cobblestones, crisscrossing rail tracks and vaulted ceilings.  It is also directly adjacent to the existing JMZ subway track– so park visitors and subway riders would interact daily.

The Delancey Underground project seeks to transform this abandoned trolley terminal into New York City's first underground community green space. Beneath one of the least green areas of the city, the Lower East Side, lies a massive, unused space nearly the size of Gramercy Park. This project envisions using an advanced solar technology to channel sunlight underground, enabling plants and trees to grow.

"Imagining the LowLine" - A full scale portion of the park, built as an art installation in the Essex Market, with fully functional solar irrigation technology.  “Imagining the Lowline” engaged visitors in a visually stimulating potential future; a taste of how the world’s first underground park will use innovative technology to bring sunlight underground.“

Biographie

James Ramsey is the principal of RAAD and the creator of the Lowline. James’ experience in design began at Yale University, where he won a Bates Fellowship to study cathedral design in Europe. He then went to work as a satellite engineer for NASA, where he was a part of the team that created the Pluto Fast Flyby and the Cassini satellites. After his time at NASA, James gained large firm experience at DMSAS in Washington, DC and small firm knowledge, upon relocating to New York, at the boutique outfit, Penny Yates Architects. While teaching design at the Parsons School of Design, James worked to put the pieces in place to start his own design practice in 2004. RAAD has since built over a hundred projects, both in NYC and across the country.  James Ramsey is the inventor of the Remote Skylight and founder of RAADStuff.

raadstudio.com

thelowline.org