Cloistered Grounds

Cloistered Grounds:

A Civic Relaxation Grove

This project reimagines New York City’s City Hall Park as a dual-layered green space that offers a site for rest in this busy civic area.. The design proposes a network of intimate, cloister-like gardens situated below grade. The existing park footpaths remain at street level, creating a unique treetop experience for those walking at street level, with the treetops brought close to the eye. A series of interconnected arched structures provide access to the greenspaces directly from existing subway infrastructure, and provide light filled locations with added ventilation for operational activities.

The project ensures visitors retain full access to existing City Hall Park footpaths and benches, while creating cloister gardens setting seamlessly tied into the infrastructure below. Ultimately, this design seeks to redefine urban parks and the valuable space below them as a shared resource.