Waterfront Revitalization

HABITAT RECLAMATION & ADAPTIVE REUSE
'AQUATECTURE’

Interdisciplinary focus on, above and below the surface of the estuaries, rivers, sounds and oceans; specializes in the unique environments where land use and water meet.

    • Development brings human life back to and on the waterfront.
    • Working waterfronts require a more complex relationship to the edge than recreation or moving people by boat.
    • Move materials in and out of the City from postal services to garbage movement, and construction materials by waterborne transport.
    • Actively engage adjacent landside flora, fauna and migration sanctuaries. On and below the water’s surface, existing sea life can be encouraged to thrive.


Testimonial - Carter Craft: Founder  Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance (Director Emeritus)
“Expert on all things built environment. Land, water, buildings, you name it. A pleasure to work with and learn from, and ALWAYS professional and even motivational to clients, community members, and other assorted decision makers I've seen him interact with over the years. In my 10+ years on the waterfront in NYC I have yet to find a better designer who understands architecture, engineering, and planning all together like Michael Fishman.”

PROCESS

Designing the edges for coastal landscapes must be considered in preparation for, not fear of, sea level rise. The edge condition can extend a block (or several blocks) upland and must be driven by programming on and in the water itself. Through historical research of habitat, development and programming of a project site, future conditions are planned in keeping with adjacent communities and often a mixture of uses. On site investigations and analysis consider storm surge conditions, outfalls, topography and public/private development strategies. Residential, recreational and working waterfront programs all have the potential for linkages, plus habitat restoration above and below the surface of the water itself.

  • Design for climate change and unexpected events: preparation, response and recovery: bring emergency preparedness to communities prone to crisis: simultaneously enhance the value of infrastructure and public space to prepare evacuate and repair.
  • Analyses beyond the building line or site limit: assessment of physical, ecological and social history helps make responsible decisions physically and programmatically.
  • Collaborative design and participation: engagement of community members, design teams and investors to overcome issues and enhance projects opportunities.



OUTCOMES
 

  • Bring economy, ecology and social fabric back to the waterfront.
  • Going beyond mitigation of development impacts to innovations for improvement of all aspects of the health of the waterfront.
  • Adaptive Reuse of long abandoned industrial facilities poised to accept new programs.
  • Reconnect clean water dependant industries and public access to the waterfront.

Coastal areas were first discovered by water and waterborne access defined their development and economic vitality for centuries. 
 

See the multi-media music video promoting Governors Island as University Village (prepared for CUNY) @: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aefVe_Qi7Rw

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is there more to the water’s edge than a bulkhead, rip-rap or beach?
Considering 100 year flood plains extends the water’s edge inland for yards and even miles. Inter-dependencies are connected to conditions up and down stream, methods and materials of construction for a particular project site can encourage all forms of life in, on and out of the water.