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Lowline Lab Underground ParkNYC is one step closer to having its first underground park thanks to the opening of the <a href="http://www.thelowline.org/get-involved/lowline-lab/">Lowline Lab</a> on the Lower East Side. The lush, planted environment is a harbinger of the proposed <a href="http://www.thelowline.org/">Lowline park</a>, and will act as a long-term open laboratory and technical exhibition that tests and showcases how a subterranean vegetative landscape could be maintained. Read on to see how you can visit this wondrous environment yourself, and click through our gallery for our firsthand photos of the “magic and science” we saw inside.1
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideThe Lowline Lab officially opened to the public this past Saturday, but will continue to grow and progress as the designers advance their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/photos-lowline-underground-park-full-scale-model-unveiled-on-manhattans-lower-east-side/">solar canopy</a> technology using a series of water-resistant mirrors the capture natural sunlight from the warehouse roof.2
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideA series of water resistant mirrors capture natural sunlight from the warehouse roof.3
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideArchitectural designer Sang-yun Han from <a href="http://raadstudio.com/">RAAD Studios</a> explained to us how the systems "can collect a full spectrum of light on sunny days."4
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideThe system channels the light like a liquid, with a series of protective tubes, to a central distribution point. Finally, the futuristic solar canopy filled with laser cut hexagonal panels, disperses the ethereal light throughout the open space, to support photosynthesis and sustain plant life below.5
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideThe tech allows a variety of plants to thrive inside of a space where sunlight would typically not be able to travel.6
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideLow Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East Side7
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideThe garden itself, designed by Signe Nielsen of Mathews Nielsen and installed by John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, is a 1,000 square-foot oasis, with over 3,000 plants.8
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideMark Mini, Vice President of Operations of John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, says that the lab is an "opportunity to study and determine which types of plants will grow best" under the solar canopy, for the future park.9
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideRight now, the lab tells the story about light and growing plants underground. Lowline Co-Founder <a href="http://www.thelowline.org/about/the-team/">Dan Barasch</a> explains that as they progress their study, their next phase will include explorations of water collection, air temperature regulations, and other design solutions.10
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideThe Low Line Lab, like the future public park, is a space that encourages innovative science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) ideas to the community.11
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideBuilt inside an abandoned market in the Lower East Side, the Lowline Lab is open and free to the public every Saturday and Sunday through March 2016.12
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SideMake sure you check out the magic and science behind the world’s first underground park!13
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East SidePhotos ©Yukari Yamahiro for Inhabitat.14
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East Side<big><a href="http://thelowline.org/">+ The LowLine</a></big>15
Low Line Underground Park for New York City's Lower East Side<big><a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/lowline/">+ LowLine Coverage on Inhabitat</a></big>16
