https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/2231 en-us From the top of Outlook Hill on Governors Island, the 172-acre land mass in New York Harbor, views of New York unfurl in a postcard-worthy panorama: the eye glides from the glossy skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan to the mint-green silhouette of Lady Liberty, across the channel to Brooklyn and the borough’s iconic bridge.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11748 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11748-governors-island-gains-new-ground The Hills, a series of man-made peaks and valleys on Governors Island, opens to the public this month. The landscape firm West 8 used the undulating topography to frame dramatic views of New York Harbor. Photo © Tim Schenck A new network of bicycle paths crisscrosses the southern portion of Governors Island (less than a half a mile from downtown Manhattan), outlined with bright-white concrete curbs. Photo © Tim Schenck West 8 prioritized playfulness in their design: the 36-foot-tall Slide Hill features four slides, including the longest in the city. Photo © Tim Schenck A view of Slide Hill. Photo © Architectural Record  Granite blocks—remnants of the island’s old seawall—form a rough “scramble” to the summit of Outlook Hill. Photo © Tim Schenck Granite blocks—remnants of the island’s old seawall—form a rough “scramble” to the summit of Outlook Hill. Image courtesy West 8 The landscape firm West 8 used the undulating topography of to frame dramatic views of New York Harbor. Photo © Tim Schenck The landscape firm West 8 used the undulating topography of to frame dramatic views of New York Harbor. Photo © Tim Schenck On the south side of the 39-foot-tall Discovery Hill is Cabin, is a ghostly installation by British artist Rachel Whiteread. Photo © Tim Schenck 860 saplings were planted for the Hills. Photo © Architectural Record The paths are edged by bright-white concrete curbs and built up at intervals to form seating. Photo © Architectural Record Landscape architect Adriaan Geuze (left) shows RECORD editor, Linda C. Lentz (right), the view. Photo © Tim Schenck For the first phase of their broader Governors Island project, West 8 installed a lawn of hammocks and furniture. Photo © Tim Schenck West 8 also created a landscaped plaza called Liggett Terrace adjacent to a McKim Mead & White structure during Phase I. Photo © Tim Schenck