Only a few steps away from the iconic Highline Park and adjacent to the Hudson River waterfront, the One Highline development, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) is the latest addition to the trendy neighborhood of Chelsea. This is the first high-end mixed-use project in New York City by Enea Landscape Architecture in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group. One High Line includes 236 units within the 36- and 26-story towers, as well as the second-ever Faena Hotel, in addition to offices and retail spaces. Bringing together the best in design for this prominent project, Enea Landscape Architecture was selected to create the landscape design of the exterior amenity terraces including the public arrival courtyard, the Faena club terraces as well as their exclusive hotel suite terraces and additional private terraces.

Our landscape design approach is very sensible to the reality of the world today. It is our duty to develop innovative concepts and solutions for climate adaptation. A detailed analysis of the site was made including sun, climate, and wind. With this information Enea could select the appropriate plant species, inspired by the local flora of New York. The solar radiation was carefully analyzed to understand the potential to lower the heat island effect, a current phenomenon in today’s large cities. The heat island effect is characterized by concrete that absorbs the heat during the day and emits this heat during the night. Another aspect of Enea’s analysis was noise pollution coming from the surrounding areas. The whole project was designed in accordance with New York City’s sustainability goals which require all new buildings to be covered with solar panels, green roofs or a combination of the two. The advantages of green roofs are a cooling effect in the summertime with energy cost savings on air conditioning, as well as recreating the natural collection of storm water in planted areas reducing the water flow into the city’s sewers. Furthermore, with the aim of fostering biodiversity the plant selection is a combination of native plant species that create habitats for pollinators providing food and refuge for bees, butterflies, and birds in this highly urban metropolis.

Nestled between the twisting towers sits the inner courtyard with the arrival entrances to the respective lobbies. Enea created visual interest by framing the view upward from the courtyard. Due to the shadow cast of both towers, plants were carefully selected that can thrive in these conditions. Organically formed bronze planters embrace mature, evergreen yew trees (Taxus baccata) to accommodate their rootballs. These raised planters also serve as benches for pedestrians. and a water feature brings additional calmness into the courtyard. For a year-round lush and green impression, the understory plant selection consists of a mix of flowering and evergreen species including panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and evergreen yew waves (Taxus baccata). The staple Enea cobblestone paving design of the pedestrian and vehicular access and the bronze of the planters integrate harmoniously with the architecture. Each entrance is flanked with pots containing white rhododendron trees (Rhododendron spp.) which bloom in spring and evoke a sense of summer’s arrival.

The amenity terrace located in level 6 presents a birch collection and maximized green space with intimate nooks within the planting. Thanks to the moveable furniture and fire pit tables, the space is flexible in use, and privacy is provided with the use of trees in raised planters including the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) as well as the native whitespire grey birch (Betulus populifolia) and allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis). For the understory planting prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and magnus coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’) were used to create a summer meadow effect. The pergola provides shade for dining while vines like amethyst fall American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) and Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidate) climb along the façade of the restaurant to strengthen the overall green impression of this space. The roofs of the outdoor dining area and staircase were transformed into green roofs with a focus on biodiversity. A mix of aromatic native and local plants like lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), pink delight meadow sage (Salvia pratensis ‘Pink Delight’), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) and wild thyme (Thymus vulgaris) enhance the olfactory sensorial experience, while native species like mini joy stonecrop (Sedum spectabile ‘Mini Joy’), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) provide habitat for pollinators.

The landscape design in the One High Line project demonstrates how exterior underutilized spaces such as terraces have the potential to contribute to the biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change, while creating beautiful spaces for enjoyment.