grow-on-us floating landscape by balmori associates installed on gowanus canal

grow-on-us floating landscape by balmori associates installed on gowanus canal
all images © balmori associates inc. 

‘grow-on-us’ is an experimental collaboration between new york-based balmori associates and the gowanus canal conservancy. the project is an ongoing research program that focuses on cleaning water through phyto-remediation, desalination, and rainwater collection by means of irrigated, productive floating gardens. balmori designed, fabricated, and launched the floating landscape in brooklyn’s gowanus canal, one of the most polluted bodies of water in the united states.

‘grow-on-us’

‘grow-on-us’ is one in a series of ongoing projects that balmori has designed to act as sponges for filtering and cleaning water, as well as providing small wildlife habitats within the NYC area. the floating landscape is composed of transformed metal culvert pipes. each of the 54 test tubes isolate various plants (over 30 were selected), watering conditions (clean water through phyto-remediation, desalinate canal brackish water through evaporation and condensation and collect rainwater), and a variety of buoyant construction materials (coconut fibers, bamboo, mycelium, and matrix of recycled plastic).

floating landscape detail 

the float has been monitored since its initial launch in mid september this year, and is being continually studied for viability. researchers will also explore functions for ‘grow-on-us’ including its potential as a multi-functional green infrastructure: shoreline protection, biodiverse habitats, energy production, public space, etc. the project is currently funded through a US$20,000 grant received from the cornelia & michael bessie foundation. 

vegetation diagram 

gowanus canal information 

unit 

culvert typologies  

researchers monitoring ‘grow-on-us’ 

solar still at night  

installation 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom