Peeling Terrain

Situated between two prominent recreational fields in New York City's East River Park, the project embeds itself within the existing network of outdoor programs, accommodating a kayak boathouse, public piers, and arts and crafts studios. The design follows a landscape-driven approach, generating a secondary ground condition shaped by geometric parameters that inform its formal articulation. Emerging from the topography, the project introduces an elevated ground plane that supports open public activities while maintaining a fluid continuity with the surrounding park. Despite its monolithic appearance, the surface lifts, folds, and peels away at key moments, revealing embedded programmatic volumes. The project originates from the study of field conditions, exploring how a formal or spatial matrix can unify diverse elements while maintaining the distinct identity of each. The circle emerges as the primary geometric language — a gesture in dialogue with the adjacent baseball and running fields. The design seeks to reinterpret the logic of the field, translating its organizational principles into the site's context and corresponding programmatic functions.