A few years ago I needed to explain how to do a tectonic analysis to my students in UC Berkeley. Tectonics in architecture is usually understood as the activity of construction as an art form.
At that time, The High Line was a very popular precedent that students liked a lot, and I presented some construction details through a series of fast sketches I prepared.
Nowadays, I go for a stroll to The High Line from time to time, and I am always struck by the Park Rules:
The following are not permitted while on the High Line:
- Walking in planting beds
- Picking flowers or plants
- Throwing objects
- Sitting on railings or climbing on any part of the High Line
- Bicycles
- Use of skateboards, skates, or recreational scooters
- Amplified sound, except by permit
- Solicitation
- Commercial activity, except by permit or otherwise authorized
- Littering
- Obstructing entrances or paths
- Drinking alcohol, except in authorized areas
- Film or photography requiring equipment or exclusive use of an area, except by
- permit
- Events or gatherings greater than 20 persons, except by permit
- Smoking
- Dogs
Although those are (kind of) common rules for parks in NYC, I think they still surprise me because I remember a line from the narrative summary from Diller and Scofidio + Renfro’s website:
“A ‘pathless’ landscape, where public can meander in unscripted ways.”
Wait… You cannot walk your dog in this “pathless landscape”? It appears from the rules there is not much you can do there—other than walk and sit in designated areas (paths) unless you get a permit, for which you need to script (write down) your intended activities.
In any case, the High Line is still a beautiful park. Highly regulated, but beautiful.
