2012 April | Inhabitat New York City

Paul Lightfoot, Mario Batali and Marty Markowitz Kick Off Plan for World’s Largest Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn

Members of the media and local food aficionados gathered yesterday outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall to witness the official announcement that the world's largest rooftop farm will be coming to Kingsborough. Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and celebrity chef Mario Batali were all there to lend support as Brightfarms CEO Paul Lightfoot broke the news and tore a white drape off of a rendering of the future 100,000 sq. ft. farm. We got the chance to speak to Mr. Lightfoot after his speech and pick his brain about when the farm will be completed and how the development will change the way New Yorkers eat. Read on to see what he shared with us.

Dutch Kills Green Revamps Queens Plaza with a Wetlands Park, Bike Paths and More

A 1.5 acre area of Long Island City has been transformed from a commuter parking lot into an eco-friendly green space. Dutch Kills Green, officially opened by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on April 4, features a wetlands park of 489 native trees and grasses which

The Historic Saugerties Lighthouse is a Secluded Retreat on the Hudson River

As spring re-emerges, the historic Saugerties Lighthouse is an easy and beautiful retreat for New Yorkers to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature. Built in 1869, guests can enjoy a unique overnight stay in the Lighthouse’s Bed and Breakfast, set on gorgeous grounds along the Hudson River. The two-bedroom accommodations offer a secluded and tranquil break, with a green modern twist: the lighthouse's beacon runs on solar power.

PHOTOS: Nissan’s NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow” Debuts in New York City

The NV200 Taxi is the first full vehicle prototype of the Taxi of Tomorrow, and Inhabitat was on the scene as it was unveiled at a special event last evening at the 2012 New York Auto Show. After a two-year competitive bid selection process, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 Taxi in May 2011 as the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013.

Kim Holleman’s Terrarium-Like Sculptures Challenge Environmental Issues

Artist Kim Holleman uses plants, found objects and garbage as materials for her terrarium-like sculptures that fuse art and architecture with environmental issues and nature. Her work speaks to chemical spills, climate change and dystopian futures, interpreting these fears as tiny, glass-encased worlds. If you want to see some of Kim's works in person, her recent chemical spill pieces are being featured at the Arts Not Fair exhibition at Like the Spice Gallery in Williamsburg.

Sebastian Quinn Building Projects Transforms a Former Warehouse into a Sustainable Studio

Avant-garde architects, the Sebastian Quinn Building Workshop, have designed a sustainable office, workshop, and gallery for Tovin Studios. Set in serene Nyack, New York on the Hudson River, the airy building houses the Tovin Design headquarters, with flex space for exhibitions and events. Quinn repurposed a former warehouse into a mixed-use space with a design that echoes its industrial past.

Brightfarms Announces Plan to Build World’s Largest Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn

If all goes according to BrightFarms’ ambitious new plan, Brooklyn, New York will soon be the home to the world’s largest rooftop farm. The hydroponic greenhouse company announced last week that Sunset Park was chosen as the location for the future 100,000

New York City’s Recycling Rate Plummets

Despite Mayor Bloomberg’s many new sustainable practices that have been implemented through the PlaNYC initiatve, new data reveals that the city’s recycling rate has dropped over the last five years. New York City’s recycling rate slipped to just 15 percent

One World Trade Center Tower Reaches 100 Stories

One World Trade Center, whose completion has been consistently delayed, has finally reached 100 stories high. The green skyscraper rises on the 16 acre site that once held the Twin Towers. When completed, 1 WTC will be New York’s tallest building. Currently,

Let There Be Light: Low Line Exhibit Now Open at Mark Miller Gallery in the Lower East Side

"Let There Be Light," an exhibit exploring what could be the next High Line, but underground, opened on Sunday, April 1st, at Mark Miller Gallery in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The Delancey Underground, often referred to as the "Low Line," was co-founded by designer James Ramsey of Raad Studio and social entrepreneur Dan Barasch. Their aim is to transform an abandoned trolley terminal beneath Delancey Street into a public park. To get an idea of how the two plan to create this cutting edge new green space, be sure to visit the exhibition that features drawings, 3D models, photographs, and a life-size rendering of the potential park. If you love this idea as much as we do, you definitely want to check out the exhibit before the end of the month!

PHOTOS: Macy’s Flower Show Features Giant Toucan Topiary Covered in 25,000 Flowers and Leaves

For the first time in 38 years, Macy's famous Flower Show has bloomed inside a massive tent in Herald Square instead of in the store itself - and those who step inside are in for a Brazil-inspired treat. Capturing all of the colors of Carnival, the show has been delighting floraphiles since last week with its themed gardens that offer New Yorkers an escape to the Amazonian rainforests. We popped into the show on Saturday and the lavish displays of greenery, vibrant blossoms and working waterfall were the perfect way to avoid the dreary, drizzly weather outside. Step into our gallery to see all of our favorite parts of the show, including this giant toucan topiary covered in 25,000 hand-dipped Brazilian button flowers and magnolia leaves.

Three More Residential Towers Will Hug the High Line Park

The formerly undesirable space surrounding NY's High Line Park has also quickly become a new residential neighborhood of choice, and the word on the street is that three more soaring apartment towers are being planned for the area. To be located on West 28th Street, just past 10th Avenue, the buildings by Avinash K. Malhotra Architects will add even more High Line-hugging residences to the area, a prospect that some lovers of the park aren't crazy about.

Passive House Academy Opens Offices In New York City

Representatives of the Passivhaus Institut are opening their first stateside offices in New York City in order to facilitate training in Passive House principles. The Irish-based Passive House Academy (PHA) has been providing classes and seminars on Passive

Google Signs Agreement with NYC Mayor to Replace NYC Taxis With Driverless Google Cabs

If you’re sick of dealing with rude New York City cab drivers, we’ve got some welcome news for you. Yesterday Mayor Bloomberg signed a contract with Google to start bringing Google’s patented driverless cars into the New York Taxi fleet. The mayor’s office