zaha hadid's high line installation protects pedestrians from construction work

echoing the fluid form of her first residential building in new york city, zaha hadid has installed a sculptural installation on the high line entitled ‘allongé’. located on at the heart of manhattan’s cultural district in west chelsea, the temporary shelter has been designed to protect pedestrians from the adjacent construction at 520 west 28th street, also designed by hadid.

‘I’ve always been fascinated by the high line and its possibilities for the city’, explained zaha hadid. ‘decades ago, I used to visit the galleries in the area and consider how to build along the route. it’s very exciting to be building there now.’

the shelter has been designed to protect pedestrians from adjacent construction work
photography by scott frances

made of silver metallic fabric stretched over a curvilinear metal frame, the installation forms a dramatic and sculptural pedestrian tunnel measuring approximately 14.5 feet (4.4 meters) in height and 112 feet (34 meters) in length.

the scheme is shaped by the connectivity and dynamism of movement along the high line, which attracts four million people each year. visitors to the elevated park pass through and under hadid’s installation, inviting them into a protected yet connected environment that stands in contrast to the rigidity of the surrounding urban fabric.

zaha hadid high line installation forms a pedestrian tunnel measuring approximately 112 feet in length

‘our collaboration with ms. hadid has been exceptional and we are thrilled to unveil this new installation, designed to beautify the necessary overhead protection system,’ said greg gushee, executive vice president of related companies. ‘this beautiful installation serves as a civic gesture to the neighborhood, embracing the innovative and artistic spirit of west chelsea.’

the installation will be on view during august 2015 for a limited period of time.