The buildings blur the line between shore and river, allowing water to enter the buildings during flood events and encouraging visitors to explore beyond the water’s edge. The boat storage and open classroom buildings’ design celebrates storm resilience, using prefabricated steel structural elements, concrete floors, and a metal skin of expanded weathering steel panels. This material allows water to flow freely in and out of the structures and weathers naturally to form a permanent protective patina. Two gangways leading to a floating dock create a protected ‘science cove,’ encouraging exploration of the site’s diverse ecology through seining, wildlife observation, and oyster gardening. The cove also provides for boating instruction protected from boat wakes and river turbulence.

Supporting NYRP’s programming, the project embraces the natural environment as a learning opportunity. The open classroom incorporates sustainable features, such as a rainwater skylight that provides dappled light and acts as a rainfall gauge, and a water collection cistern that provides garden irrigation. Strategic interventions throughout the site enhance visitors’ understanding of the natural environment and encourage active engagement with the river.