The design team of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and OJB recently unveiled the design for Freedom Plaza on the Manhattan’s East River. The waterfront parcel on First Avenue between 38th and 41st Streets is one of the city’s most spectacular undeveloped sites.
The heart of the project is a 4.77-acre public park which embodies universal goals for openness and equity. Conceived as a sustainable urban commons for one of the world’s most vibrant cities, the park is a place where memory and place are intimately tied together. The green oasis is sustainably grounded with high performance systems for stormwater and native planting that celebrate the region’s ecological legacy. The entire development is planned for net zero carbon with a host of sustainable site measures to improve the urban park experience.
As a new model for urban regeneration, the park harmoniously blends nature, culture, and community. Reflecting its special location, the design considers both the skyline and the ground plane as a complete composition where people can enjoy nature against the backdrop of the city and find places for both respite and connection.
“We were inspired by the idea that people could experience both intimate moments of respite and connection, to thrilling vistas and sweeping views of the East River and skyline that express the grandeur of the city.” — Jim Burnett, founder of OJB
