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An Achievable Utopia by New York City’s West Side Highway

Heatherwick Studio has teamed up with landscape architect Mathews Nielsen to design a utopian vision of a pier that creates much-needed green space in New York City.

Located just off the West Side Highway. the new space will offer expansive views of the manhattan skyline.

Unlike many such utopian proposals, this will actually be built.

Thanks to a pair of wealthy New York benefactors, the funding is already in place.

Construction is expected to start in 2016, and the park on piers is expected to be built for $130 million.

“The revitalization and transformation of this pier into a vibrant arts and community space will bring new energy and new visitors to our waterfront,” said Mayor De Blasio.

“When I was little, I used to come to manhattan to visit my great aunt who lived here and never forgot being driven down the West Side Highway and seeing the fields of disused pile heads sticking out of the river,” commented thomas heatherwick on the project’s announcement. “All these years later, my studio and I are honored to now be growing another set of river piles in the midst of these historic ones to hold up a new phenomenal public park with special spaces for performances. this project is a tribute to the ambition and vision of the hudson river park trust and the diller–von furstenberg family foundation.”

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A Bamboo Grove at the Heart of a House in Vancouver

A central greenery defines the Findlay Residence by Splyce Design.

Located in North Vancouver, Canada, the house is surrounded by the quiet of pine trees – and unremarkable suburban houses.

In the suburbs, it can be difficult to connect to nature rather than the neighbours, but this is achieved here.

A sunken patio creates intimacy in a flat lawn.

The green central courtyard brings nature to the heart of the home.

Mirrors are suspended in front of the view of the central bamboo grove.

It filters light through all the surrounding spaces.

Even upstairs, the most spartan of bedrooms overlooks the tops of the green center.

Glass by open stairs allows light to flood deep into the home.

A computer study is less light-filled – by design.

The simple palette of concrete floors and white walls strengthen the clarity and purity of the interiors.

The architect has achieved privacy even within fully glazed walls in the suburbs.

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A Sydney Beach House Makes the Most of its Tiny Site

Tony Owen Architects have designed a compact family home close to Tamarama beach in Sydney, Australia.

There was already a lush tropical garden neglected at the rear of the older house – now this is the focal point of the new Kerr House.

By focusing the new space so that it opens onto the garden as a large outdoor room they create an extension of the living area.

Likewise, from the garden the space flows effortlessly, and dinner guests are easily supplied from the nearby kitchen.

The simple ladder style stair barely interrupts the all white living space.

The kitchen is the ultimate in high gloss all-white, from ceiling to floor.

Three bedrooms and a family room are housed upstairs.

A simple elegant tub is set above wooden slats providing an attractive yet practical no-slip surface.

Narrow shutters echo the distinctive very narrow strip cladding.

Over time, these untreated extenal timber battens will weathered for a sea-side look, marrying the new house to its site.