Project by Heloise de Walque
“This project investigates water access in Sara D. Roosevelt Park and how existing systems can better support sanitation, cooling, and community gathering. Most of NYC’s potable water system is buried underground, while bathrooms, fountains, hydrants, and cooling stations form the main points of public interaction. Limited cooling resources and early restroom closures reveal gaps that become more noticeable as climate change intensifies periods of heat, heavy rain, and drought.
The design transforms water flow into a spectacle. Petal-shaped structures collect rain and direct it into rain gardens that filter stormwater for misting and nearby bathroom use. During hot periods, the system releases mist, and at night, perforations in the petals cast patterned light. Organic rain garden forms soften the concrete ground, increase permeability, and create areas for rest. A central amphitheater serves as both a gathering space and a flood basin. The park grows resilient through renewed relationships with water.”
