Oasis

Details

Earth/Water Chapel
Prof. Michael Gamble

Spring 2024 (ongoing)
Individual

Level 1 Floor Plan / Flora Zone

Concept Strategy

Site Plan

Gallery

Level 2 Floor Plan / Fauna Zone

Section through Plant Nursery

Section through Pool, Earth Chapel, Floating Orchard

The big idea for Governors Island embodies a vision of catalyzing and enhancing its vibrant biodiversity through innovative architecture and ecological restoration. The vision is to nurture and amplify the island's rich flora and fauna by establishing a plant's nursery and archives dedicated to their preservation. With a floating orchard and flora fauna functions, the sanctuary becomes a hub for biodiversity, inviting visitors to witness, engage with and contribute to the flourishing ecosystem of Governors Island, ensuring it's vitality for generations to come. The idea of open orchard came from Sam Van Aken's public orchard which comprises of hybrid trees containing antique varieties that are native to, originated in, or were historically grown in and around NYC over the past 400 years but have all disappeared.