Future New York

This architectural collection features extensive vegetation, resource circulation, and community space to create social, ecological, and economic sustainabilty. Its special features range from greywater systems to passive heating, while add-ons are built with ideas of portability and adaptability in mind.

Rising waters, escalating temperatures, and growing populations are particularly challenging in urban centers, where vertical living is the norm, and nature has long been an afterthought. We imagined a future New York where green is the word, in the streets, on the rooftops, in the sky, and on the waterways.

Photography: Andrew Matusik Stylist: Laurean Ossorio

“There’s a river somewhere that flows through the lives of everyone.”— Roberta Flack

A pavilion, designed by Dutch architects Delta Sync and PublicDomain architects, is a community of floating houses. The translucent shelter relies on solar energy, and its structure is made of anti-corrosive plastic ETFE, which is 100 times lighter than glass and therefore ideal for a floating structure.

ON LANDON: Hoodie, Shirt, Jeans by Todd Shelton; Espadrilles by Giuseppe Zanotti; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear. Scooter by Levy Electric Scooters.

This building top features communal green balconies watered by a central greywater system. The rooftop features a community garden using portable agriculture stands and agricultural bins.

This community building can function both as a structural additive as well as a stand-alone edifice. Its interior provides the opportunity for communal shelter, while the roof is sloped for rainwater collection.

ON FRANCIS: Shirt and pants by Celestino Couture; Boots by Aera. ON LUSHIAN: Jacket and skirt by Lou de Bétoly; Blouse by Celestino Couture; Shoes by Ruthie Davis; Necklace and cuffs by Deepa Gurnani. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles.

ON LUSHIAN: Blouse, pants by Flor Et Al; Choker, rings by Soko; Boots by Ruthie Davis. ON FRANCIS: Windbreaker, joggers by Icebreaker; Hightops by Allbirds; Backpack by Manhattan Portage. Scooter by Revel; Skateboard by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

This building top has windows on all four sides outlined in vegetation, and is crowned by a large rooftop gathering area surrounded by greenery. All vegetation is watered by a central greywater system.

ON KATE: Dress by Flor Et Al; Bag by Behno; Earrings by Deepa Gurnani; Ring by Jill Herlands.

ON LUSHIAN: Blouse, pants by Celestino Couture; Boots by Ruthie Davis. ON KATE: Sleeveless trench coat, blouse, pants by Amur; Boots by Alterre; Earrings, belt, cuffs by Deepa Gurnani. Skateboards by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

“The nation behaves well if it treats its natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.” —Theodore Roosevelt

ON KATE: Sleeveless trench coat, blouse, pants by Amur; Boots by Alterre; Earrings, belt, cuffs by Deepa Gurnani.

This rooftop gathering space features windows lined with natural vegetation maintained by a central greywater system.

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020 This community fountain has circular seating centered around a pond, and it functions as space for community gathering and waterfront relaxation. Portable agriculture pots can accentuate the area by providing easy-to-maintain greenery.

Pots with curved edges create easy-to-maintain greenery that can be placed in any setting. With an opening that slims into a small bottom spout, pots can additionally be applied to greywater systems, soil plots, or water bodies.

ON FRANCIS: Windbreaker and joggers by Icebreaker; High tops by Allbirds; Backpack by Manhattan Portage. Skateboard by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

These towers allow for portable agriculture with sides sloped to facilitate rainwater and plant boxes oriented to allow for equal distribution of running water. Sides may be collapsed together to create a piece that is flat-pack.

A facade covered by diagonally-rising plant boxes transforms ecology into an art form, while the three other walls featuring inset windows provide ample natural lighting. Vegetation may be watered by a central greywater system.

ON KATE: Sweater, skirt by RedValentino; Mules by Alterre; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear; Earrings by Futura; Bag by Behno. ON LANDON: Turtlenexk by Celestino Couture, Jeans by Todd Shelton; Boots by Giuseppe Zanotti; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear; Scooter by Revel

Hair by David Cotteblanche for The One by Fekkai and Nicole Cyrese, Hair Jewels by Nicole Cyrese; Makeup by Agata Helena; Models: Kate, Landon, Nick, Lushian, Francis, Q Models.