An outdoor space that invites visitors to the waterfront and features a fusion of landscapes, textures, materials, and forms.
Challenge:
Garvies Point is a mixed-use community on Hempstead Harbor in Glen Cove, Long Island. The development features LEED-certified residential buildings, restored wetlands, an ecology pier, marinas, ferry service to Manhattan, and 28 acres of public outdoor space. The variety of amenities achieves the goal of Developer RXR Realty and the City of Glen Cove to make the waterfront accessible to all.
NYC-based landscape architecture firm reached out to Studio 431 to create the site’s custom elements, including large-scale metal pergolas and cast concrete tables and stools. While some of the elements, such as the lounge seating, is a MPFP-branded element that Studio 431 has manufactured for other projects, others presented unique challenges.
Influence:
Notable for Garvies Point is the breadth of materials specified for the custom products, not unlike MPFP’s landscape design that blends a range of landscapes and activities, from natural and formal landscapes to open and programmed spaces, including an amphitheater, playground, and dog park.
Solution:
Among the site’s custom elements is an iconic shade structure prominently located at the entrance to the pier. The complex structure, which stretched the engineering know-how of Studio 431, is constructed of stainless steel columns and a fabric roof, and features multiple angles, shapes, and elevations, “nothing parallel to the ground,” adds Studio 431 Engineering Group Lead Jim Hargrove. MPFP wanted the shade structure to have a refined, elegant look. In particular, they didn’t want to expose any hardware that attached the fabric to the metal tubes. Hargove and team devised a solution that wrapped the fabric around the tubes and then secured them with lace ties. It’s also a solution that still supports ease of maintenance and disassembly.
Community visitors to the site can relax on ipe benches in various shapes, from simple curves to flowing serpentine seats. Courtyard terraces for Garvies Point residents feature custom carbon steel powdercoated pergolas.
“Garvies Point showcases Studio 431’s expertise in working with a variety of materials,” says Studio 431 Project Manager Emily Lonsbury. “The custom elements are made of cast concrete, stainless steel, aluminum, metal tubing, fabric, and wood. We have engineers who specialize in each of these materials. Our familiarity with a range of materials was critical to the success of this project.”
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