The Gowanus Roofscape is a project I began working on with architecture firm Op.Al, in New York City, during my summer internship in 2016. After that summer we continued work during the fall of 2016. The project was funded by the State of New York in an effort to alleviate the flooding and pollution issues in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn.

As a graduate student assistant, I was responsible for the initial research and presentation of information regarding rainfall, sewer capacities, flooding conditions, ground conditions and drainage systems on the roofs of buildings. I was responsible for creating all the graphics, maps, and drawings to clearly convey this information. The summer culminated in the creation of a book that compiled all of the research and set up the next stage of the project which was design.

During the Fall of 2016 I continued working on the project with one other student. Together we used the information gathered from the summer to analyze current zoning conditions in the neighborhood and find opportunities for building on the roofs. We then worked through iterations of rain catching geometries and programs which utilized rain water as well as created awareness for the public. We finished the project with a proposal of various additions to the roofs of buildings which catch rain water, keeping it out of the drainage system and alleviating flooding. The additions also provided programs which utilized the rain water in the form of fountains, pools, and irrigation strategies.