Tribeca is Red

In historically industrial neighborhoods such Tribeca, the buildings are protected but the ground is not. The Atlas Project encourages respect for and preservation of the historical layering of the ground including vault lights and granite sidewalks.

City nature is different than Nature. When people think of nature in the city, they usually think of a park or green space. Street trees are more or less background; storm water is something to be “managed;” wind is a necessary annoyance, like other “bad” weather. However, city nature is light reflected in all directions by structures of all sizes. My friend Kathryn Dean told me that ‘Tribeca is red,’ and she is right. Tribeca is red due to the light reflected off of the monumental historical brick buildings at the periphery of the five story blocks. Water on surrounding streets and sidewalks— even dampness that is not visible as a puddle glows red, especially in winter when the angle of the sun is low.