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Collection by Heather Corcoran

The Lowline Lab

Visiting the proving ground for the technology behind New York's most anticipated new park.

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On the roof of the building, optical devices by Korean technology company Sunportal track the sun throughout the day.
On the roof of the building, optical devices by Korean technology company Sunportal track the sun throughout the day.
As the technology develops, the designers believe that on sunny days no additional lighting will be needed to illuminate the proposed park.
As the technology develops, the designers believe that on sunny days no additional lighting will be needed to illuminate the proposed park.
This is how it works: "Sunlight passes through a glass shield above the parabolic collector, and is reflected and gathered at one focal point, and directed underground. Sunlight is transmitted onto a reflective surface on the distributor dish underground, transmitting that sunlight into the space. This technology would transmit the necessary wavelengths of light to support photosynthesis, enabling plants and trees to grow."
This is how it works: "Sunlight passes through a glass shield above the parabolic collector, and is reflected and gathered at one focal point, and directed underground. Sunlight is transmitted onto a reflective surface on the distributor dish underground, transmitting that sunlight into the space. This technology would transmit the necessary wavelengths of light to support photosynthesis, enabling plants and trees to grow."
The 1,000-square-foot installation includes more than 3,000 plants. The goal is to see which will grow best underground.
The 1,000-square-foot installation includes more than 3,000 plants. The goal is to see which will grow best underground.
The Lowline Lab will be open through March 2017.
The Lowline Lab will be open through March 2017.
The landscape was designed by Signe Nielsen of Mathews Nielsen and built by John Mini Distinctive Landscapes.
The landscape was designed by Signe Nielsen of Mathews Nielsen and built by John Mini Distinctive Landscapes.
Helio tubes, specially designed fiber optic cable channels, carry the condensed light to the dark warehouse, where the full-spectrum light can be used to support photosynthesis.
Helio tubes, specially designed fiber optic cable channels, carry the condensed light to the dark warehouse, where the full-spectrum light can be used to support photosynthesis.
At the Lowline Lab, Dan Barasch and James Ramsey test the "remote skylight" technology that will bring natural sunlight to their proposed underground park.
At the Lowline Lab, Dan Barasch and James Ramsey test the "remote skylight" technology that will bring natural sunlight to their proposed underground park.
A canopy designed by engineer Ed Jacobs distributes light throughout the space.
A canopy designed by engineer Ed Jacobs distributes light throughout the space.