‘secret garden’ at heatherwick’s lantern house evokes a woodland in new york city

heatherwick studio unveils new images of the ‘secret garden’ of its lantern house as it takes shape in new york city. located directly below the high line, the garden is expressed with sculptural curves and thoughtful landscaping by hollander design. the garden occupies the exterior courtyard outside the residential project’s sculptural glass lobby pavilion. this interstitial space beneath the highline serves as a point of connection between the project’s east and west buildings. the design-minded garden at lantern house sees its completion just in time for the start of the summer.

image © colin miller

heatherwick studio‘s secret garden at the lantern house marks the first garden to be designed directly below the high line. the verdant space is designed to introduce a refreshing take on adventurous urban landscape design. taking full advantage of its unique location, the garden’s design embraces the site’s peculiarities and is a striking design in an often-overlooked space directly below one of the most famous parks in the world.

with landscaping by hollander design, the secret garden at heatherwick’s lantern house is meant to evoke a vibrant woodland. lush ferns and a grove of sweet bay magnolias and maples grow out of gently mounded earth. the garden features a mix of plantings native to the northeast region of america as well as a few special plantings that work well in the shade. the shade garden features distinctive plantings and is designed to recall a woodland in the heart of west chelsea. the high line and its historic steel structure stand in sharp relief to the warm and earthy garden that extends resident living into the outdoors, providing a moment of serenity, and a space that can be used year-round and at night.

project info:

project title: secret garden at lantern house

architecture: heatherwick studio

landscape design: hollander design

location: new york, NY

completion: june 2021

photography: colin miller