A crowdfunding campaign to transform an abandoned New York train terminal into the world’s first underground park has a little over a week to raise $100,000.
The Lowline is envisaged as a one-acre garden underneath Manhattan’s crowded Lower East Side neighbourhood. It would be lit by "remote skylights" that combine solar harvesting and fibre-optics to bring sunlight underground.
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/846.lowline2.jpg)
According to the Lowline’s designer, New York architect Raad Studio, so much natural light would be admitted that it would be possible to grow plants underground.
A planning study into the concept was carried out by Arup. The Lowline’s website says: "This concluded that the park would vastly improve the local economy and the adjacent transit hub. Once built, the Lowline would be a dynamic cultural space, featuring a diversity of community programming and youth activities."
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lowline3.png)
The project would retain all the original architectural details of the 1904 station with the goal of creating a "quiet and beautiful public gathering space".
The project’s funding would be used to construct the "Lowline Lab", a solar device testing laboratory and public exhibition space.
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lowline4.jpg)
The project has received $109,000 out of its target of $200,000. It has to reach its target by 8 July.
You can support the Kickstarter campaign here.
Images: Artist’s depiction of The Lowline