Client : Brightview Landscape Developments, New York
Project : Supply of specially cast Volkanite® pavers as ‘shoal paving’ for Little Island, NY.

Working to support Heatherwick Studio with their vision to create Little Island at Pier 55 in New York, we helped their design team develop their ‘shoal paving’, that would contrast with the surroundings and appear to ‘swim’ through the park like wayfinding fish. We presented our Volkanite® cast basalt – a type of lava stone rock that is melted down and moulded into shapes which cool and set into metallic looking Volkanite®.  Being made of such hard wearing material these 289 x 95mm x 50mm special pavers represent a really permanent feature of the park.

“We were absolutely delighted to have been involved in such a creative project and in supporting a world class design team led by Thomas Heatherwick.”

The $260 million dollar Little Island was conceived as way to revitalise an old pier on the Hudson River. Largely funded by Barry Diller  and covering an area of 2.4 acres (0.97 ha) the ‘floating’ park is supported by 132 pot-shaped structures (called “tulips”) suspended above the water, which in turn stand on 280 concrete pilings extending into the riverbed. The installation of the pots was overseen by engineer Arup Group and manufactured in Upstate New York by the Fort Miller Company. The park has various lawns, paths, and plants, which were arranged by landscape architect  Signe Nielsen. In addition, Little Island has a small stage and three concession stands, as well as a 687-seat amphitheatre for outdoor concerts and performances.