Downtown Magazine NYC Spring 2020 by Downtown Magazine NY, LA & Miami

THE REFORMERS

From Fashion to Architecture and Beyond

RUN WILD, RUN FREE Saving America’s Wild Horses

Sustainable Fashion in Future New York GrowNYC’s MARCEL Van Ooyen Urban Farming

th Anniversary of Earth Day

DIS COV E R S O ME T H ING NE W

To our Seaport friends and neighbors, As a community, we are known for our spirit of resiliency and for working together through challenging times. As we navigate together through this crisis at hand, the health and safety of our community, guests, and our team members always remains the highest priority. We are working in alignment with our government authorities to monitor the situation, and we have reached out to our local officials and community leaders to offer our help and explore ways in which we can best support our community and city in the days ahead. We hope that you and your families stay well. We looking forward to being able to welcome you back to Seaport in the near future.

S E A P O R T D I S T R I C T. N Y C

BE FEARLESS Because home is where life happens, our focus is (and always has been) on living comfortably. Our partnership with Sunbrella unites our iconic style with their legendary performance, bringing you exceptionally crafted furniture that lets you live life worry-free. Go ahead and put your feet up â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be fearless.

One Kenmare Square / 210 Lafayette (BTW Spring & Broome) / NY, NY 10012 / 212.431.2575 For additional Signature Store locations, please visit mgbwhome.com

DOWNTOWNNYC THE GIVERS 2019

| M O D E R N LU X U RY

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THE GIVERS 2019 DOWNTOWNNYC

DOWNTOWN

ON THE COVER: Kate wears a cape and pants by Celestino Couture, boots by Ruthie Davis, and earrings by Deepa Gurnani. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles. ON THIS PAGE: Kate wears a track jacket by Cotopaxi, backpack by Caraa, and sneakers by Allbirds. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles.

Styled by Laurean Ossorio. Hair by David Cotteblanche for The One by Fekkai; Nicole Cyrese, Hair Jewels by Nicole Cyrese; Makeup by Agata Helena; Q Models. Photography by Andrew Matusik, Matusikart.com; Image Composites by Andrew Matusik; Sustainability Designer: Noemi Florea; Architecture Consultant: Luke Hellkamp

HOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA LEIGH (HORSES); LIZ GLASGOW STUDIOS (PASSIVE HOUSE).

THE REFORMERS

66 09 11 12 13

From the Editor in Chief From the Founder From the Advisory Board Chair Contributors

HUMANS 14 18 20 22

Power Player: Market Value Entrepreneur: The Cleanest Clean Activist: Knockin' on Heaven's Door The Reformers

CULTURE 26 30 33 34 36

Viewfinder: Garden Party Savoir Fare: Farm Living Urbanity: The Good Earth Urbanity: See Your City Gamechangers: Greenwave

SHELTER 38 41 44

Urban Plan: Following the sun The Goods: Garden of Earthly Delights The Goods: Rainbow Connection

LITTLE APPLE 46

Barclay's Spot

14 FEATURES 50 66 72 78

Future New York Run Wild, Run Free Haute Haus Tek Report

ESCAPE 84 86

Sea Creatures Delaware Renaissance

EN VOGUE 88 90 92 94

Hair: Living Color Beauty: Clean, Green, and Beautiful Fitness: Camp It Up Fashion: High IQ

LAST WORD: Megan Boledovich

Deborah L. Martin Editor in Chief

Creative Team Glyph.NYC Associate Editor Daniel Metz Fashion Editor Annaël Assouline Food Editor Fernanda Mueller Fitness Editor Kirk Meyers Music Editor Alice Teeple Editor at Large Mike Hammer Multimedia Director Eddy Garay Contributing Family & Lifestyle Editor Mary Wassner Pet Editor Jason Zafarana

CONTRIBUTORS INTERNS

David Cotteblanche Nicole Eventoff Noemi Florea Nicole Haddad Mike Hammer Laura Leigh Andrew Matusik Laurean Ossorio Kirit Prajapati

Lucy Dondero Addison Franz

TECHNOLOGY

Bradley Kirkland/Stone Soup Romeo Marra/Entirely Digital

BUSINESS Grace A. Capobianco

Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Executive Vice President John ‘Cap’ Capobianco Executive Publisher, South Florida Will Candis Chief Financial Officer Jeff Fields Advisor To the Publisher Andy Wheatcroft Finance & Tax Consultant Meir Spear, CPA

Downtown (ISSN2164-6198) is published four times per year in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter for $39 per subscription by Downtown Media & Production Inc., 380 Rector Place, Suite 15F, New York, NY 10280. Application to mail at periodical postage rates is pending at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Downtown, 380 Rector Place, Suite 15F, New York, NY 10280. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editor are not responsible for unsolicited material. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. To order a subscription, please visit downtownmagazinenyc.com. For customer service, please inquire at info@downtownmagazinenyc.com. To distribute Downtown, please email info@dtnycmag.com

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DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASA_RODRIGUES

YOU’RE OK, I WAS BORN IN 1965, which puts me at the outside edge of Generation X—alternatively known as the MTV Generation, the Lost Generation, or sometimes, a bunch of slackers. Some music junkies will also remember that a London punk band called Generation X launched the career of one Billy Idol, but that was well before our generational angst became fodder for movies starring John Cryer, Rob Lowe, and the rest of the adorable, lipbiting Brat Pack. Many words have been written about how Gen X-ers feel disconnected, unseen, caught between the comfortable Baby Boomers and the Millenial/Gen Y/Gen Z soup that followed us. Personally, I never really felt that way until recently, as climate change has come barreling into our everyday reality, laying waste to everything from jobs to turtles. As I write this, Australians are emerging from their homes to assess the damage of the worst wildfires that continent has ever seen, and COVID-19 is changing life as we know it. While we deal with the immediate problems of a global pandemic, the scientific community continues to study how our changing climate affects the spread of disease. I think, perhaps, that the sad lot of my generation is to carry the guilt of being adults with income and autonomy during the excessive, over-hyped, mass-marketed 90’s, and at the same time to be outraged by it as well. In The Graduate, poor confused Benjamin is lectured by his father’s friend, who tells him, “Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?” Nowadays, it seems, we can think of nothing else. It’s the height of social media cool to write off older generations with a snide, “OK, Boomer.” It’s this generation’s “Talk to the hand.” Personally, I

think it’s a little unfair to blame the Boomers for everything. In the 60’s and 70’s, women went out into the workforce like never before. And though they were newly liberated, the patriarchy was real. While the womenfolk were going all Norma Rae with their fists in the air and their bras burning, they still had to pack the lunches, give the kids a bath, and do the laundry. Can we really blame our parents for looking for easier ways to clean the house and get dinner on the table? Let’s be honest, the real culprit here is greed, and that is intergenerational. If it could be made, it could be made in volume, wrapped in a protective film of plastic, and shipped across the country in time for the weekly trip to the supermarket. Look, we all have a past. In America’s case, it’s riddled with inequity, injustice, and downright nasty behavior but there’s some stuff worth celebrating too. The American spirit is out there, even if it is buried under old toothbrushes and miles of plastic wrap. We may have gone about it all wrong, but we’re all here, and in spite of ourselves there is a lot to love about this crazy, ongoing experiment. And so in this issue we sought out the people who have decided that the way forward must be paved with more than good intentions. These are our Reformers. They come from many generations and many backgrounds but they share an entrepreneurial spirit that is guided by the will to do good and the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats” (which, by the way, is a quote attributed to John F. Kennedy, but was actually adapted from a New England regional chamber of commerce slogan, by Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen. Kennedy is sort of the Uber-Boomer, even though he was really part of the previous generation—the Greatest Generation.) We imagined a future New York—covered in green and soaking up the sun—for our sustainable fashion feature; we visited urban farms; had a chat with an official forager; and discovered that cleaning products can actually be clean. We sought out some game changing items that can green up everything from your pantry to your vanity table, and we visited a passive home in Greenpoint, a sustainable tower in Williamsburg, and our own Battery gardens. We also focused on a rewilding project that everyone should know about, since it concerns that most iconic of American creatures, the native wild horse. I hope you read our story about the Cana Foundation’s work to protect this noble and important species, because the challenges our four-footed fellow travelers face mirror our own, and their survival is vital to our little corner of planet Earth. We hope this issue inspires you to find ways to change your own habits, one plastic-free day at a time. To quote Pete Seeger, “If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” Here, here.

Deborah L. Martin Editor in Chief

Follow me on instagram @debmartinnyc and on downtownmagazinenyc.com

HOW GREEN IS MY CITY? A visit with a Lakota Luke (above), on Manda Kalimian’s Syosset farm, where rewilding is the watchword. Tens of thousands of children and young people (right) marched in September, led by Greta Thunberg (far right), who arrived in North Cove Marina after crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a catamaran. She spoke truth to power at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, where she said, “How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANDA KALIMAIN (PORTRAIT); DEBORAH L. MARTIN (ALL OTHERS).

BOOMER

j o h nv a r v a t o s . c o m

Luc ky Blue S m it h Brook ly n , N Y 2019

IN THE

NEIGHBORHOOD

Grace A. Capobianco

WHEN YOU LIVE in Downtown New York City there is truly no place like home. This dynamic and vibrant neighborhood is the birthplace of New York. Our neighborhoods, which stretch from Hudson Yards to Battery Park, the Financial District, TriBeCa, Chelsea, Chinatown, the Villages, SoHo, and the Lower East Side, offer more diversity, excitement, and natural beauty than any other part of New York. Where else can you find luxury shopping, five-star dining, avantgarde culture, and stunning waterfront scenery existing side by side? When we discussed what we wanted to focus on for our Spring 2020 issue, we all agreed it would be about those making a difference in our environment, and the first thing that came to mind as a bike rider was commuting. Aside from recycling and purchasing from environmentally friendly brands, I wanted to showcase a little bit of how many downtowners commute. We live in an area of Manhattan where you can walk

from east to west in a matter of minutes and everything is at your fingertips, and we regularly watch families in the morning heading to school and work on their bikes, scooters and yes, even skateboards! This is a vision of a future New York where we have fewer cars and more humanpowered transportation, making our city greener and more livable. While researching the different environmentally friendly modes of transportation I was elated to see that there were many options. In our cover and fashion story you will see those who were thrilled to showcase their products and we hope that you will consider the environment not just in your cleaning products, recycling, and clothing but also in the way you commute to work. Spring is about rebirth, renewal, and regrowth, all things DOWNTOWN knows only too well. As we go to print we are faced with yet another challenge— COVID-19—and as a company we are doing everything we can to limit our own exposure. We are

rethinking how we can be here for our loyal readers and advertisers, as well as those who are picking up a copy for the first time. As Downtowners we have always risen to the challenge in times of crisis. Today we are dealing with an entirely new reality—social distancing and social isolation. Experts tell us that we must flatten the coronavirus curve to stop the spread of this disease. This means digging deep, thinking of others, and creating new ways to socialize and entertain ourselves. It’s important to know that we are not alone. We have each other—give your fingers a break, pick up a phone, call or video chat, create new ways to stay connected and remember your neighbors and the elderly, offer your assistance or a balcony chat. Stay healthy by following the many personal trainers offering free training sessions right from the comfort of your living room. Small business is the lifeblood of our economy, and of our cultural life. Support them in every way that you can. Here at Downtown,

our staff gives their heart and soul each and everyday to deliver a product or service to you. We are hearing moving stories of clients who are continuing to pay their service brands just because they want to help keep them in business. Hearing this brings tears to my eyes to know that they really care. We survived Superstorm Sandy because of each of our advertisers and clients, who supported us through the worst of times. We hope that you will continue to support us so that we and the rest of the small businesses in our neighborhoods can survive this difficult time. We will get through this and we will come out stronger as a community and world. So, leave your car in the garage, avoid the crowds, and take advantage of human-powered transportation to explore our beautiful Manhattan. Yes, it’s springtime in New York! Follow me on Instagram @graciedtm and on downtownmagazinenyc.com

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

PHOTOGRAPHY BY POUL OBER; STYLED BY AMANDA ORLINSKY; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY ALEX KRAMER; BIKE BY ADELINE ADELINE.

CEO and Founder Downtown Magazine

ADVISORY BOARD LOWER MANHATTAN is one of the greenest neighborhoods in the country. Not just because it’s home to sustainable, energy efficient buildings, but because nearly everyone who works Downtown either walks or takes mass transit to work. Twenty-seven percent of the people who live here, work here. That’s the highest live/work ratio in the country. And over the past 10 years, the educated professional workforce has moved to areas around Downtown, including Brooklyn and the New Jersey waterfront. We have vastly improved the transportation experience with ferries, bike lanes, the Oculus, and Fulton Center, making it easy to get to work. At the same time, Downtown Manhattan has pioneered some of the most sustainable buildings in the country: 7 World Trade Center was the City’s first LEED-certified office building when it opened in 2006, and every other new office building here has followed its example. These groundbreaking towers are powered by renewable energy, and feature high-efficiency air filtration systems that condition, filter and supply fresh air to workers inside. Rainwater is captured on the roofs and used to cool the buildings and irrigate the parks next door. The Visionaire was the greenest residential condominium in the United States when it opened in Battery Park City in 2008, and the first LEED Platinum condominium on the East Coast. It features integrated solar panels that harvest a portion of the building’s electric load, and a central heating and cooling system powered by natural gas, which contributes to a substantially lower peak electric grid demand. A water treatment system recycles water and provides make-up water for the HVAC system cooling tower. Environmentally-conscious companies have moved Downtown to be in high tech, green buildings. And these companies want to be right next to the best mass transit, and surrounded by dynamic residential neighborhoods filled with brilliant young minds. That’s why we’ve managed to lease 9 million square feet of office space in our new World Trade Center towers to some of the most advanced companies including Spotify, Uber, Casper, Diageo, and GroupM. Lower Manhattan also has over 84 acres of parks and some of the best waterfront views in the city. Our parks range from quiet contemplative spaces to waterfront walkways and major recreational facilities such as The Battery. It doesn’t get any greener that that!

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

DARA MCQUILLAN Chairman of the Advisory Board Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Silverstein Properties, Inc.

MARINA PEREDO A board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience, she has been labeled a “super-doctor” by The New York Times and a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly. Her practice, Skinfluence, is located in Manhattan.

SAUL SCHERL Saul Scherl is President of the New York Tri-State Region at The Howard Hughes Corporation. Mr. Scherl has more than twenty years of experience in the realms of retail, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use real estate.

SAMANTHA COX Samantha Cox is Vice President, Creative, New York, at Broadcast Music, Inc. She also provides advice and supports myriad projects at the Center for Performing Arts at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.

CATHERINE MCVAY HUGHES Member of CB1 for 19 years, eight of those years its Chair, and for 13 years the Chair of CB1 World Trade Center Redevelopment Committee. Hughes has worked with agencies at the city, state, and federal levels.

LAURA FORESE Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, as well as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Forese oversees a leading system in quality, safety, efficiency, and service.

DOUG SMITH Doug Smith is the principal owner of World Trade Gallery, a Financial District art and framing studio since 1981. His vision is to see the arts flourish in Lower Manhattan where he lives and works.

FRANK CELENZA Dual-certified in Orthodontics and Periodontics, Celenza teaches post-graduate studies at institutions such as New York University and Rutgers. He has offices in New York City, Scarsdale, and New Jersey.

RORY MCCREESH Rory McCreesh founded Duce Construction Corporation, specializing in designing and constructing high-end homes and apartments in Manhattan, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey.

KIRK MYERS Founder and CEO of Dogpound, Myers recently brought his fitness franchise to Los Angeles. He has become a top trainer to celebrities, athletes, and professionals.

DREW NIEPORENT A renowned restaurateur, “The Mayor of Wall Street” opened his first downtown restaurant in the ’80s. Nieporent's Myriad Restaurant Group includes the TriBeCa Grill and Nobu.

JEFF SIMMONS Executive Vice President of Anat Gerstein, Simmons has spent three decades in private and public sector communications, previously serving at the Alliance for Downtown New York.

CONTRIBUTORS ANDREW MATUSIK

Matusik loves collaborating with talented stylists, models, and artists and is devoted to creating striking images through great composition and beautiful light. He has pursued his passions throughout his life and feels blessed to have been able to do so. For this issue, he photographed and created composite images for the cover story, Future New York, on page 50.

JASON GOODRICH

MICHAEL FIEDLER

LAUREAN OSSORIO

NICOLE HADDAD Nicole Haddad is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content creator who has spent the last two decades working at luxury shelter magazines covering interior design, travel, architecture, culture, art, and more. She is happiest typing away with her pup by her side or jetting off to remote, exotic destinations. For this issue, Nicole wrote Haute Haus on page 72, and Delaware Renaissance, page 86.

AGATA SMENTEK Born in Poland, Agata attended art school and then traveled to Europe, where she developed a passion for fashion. After working in Milan and Paris, she moved to the United States, where makeup and hairstyling was a natural progression, allowing her to express her creativity on a new canvas. She has worked for clients such as Dolce Gabbana, Versace, Laundry, and Etam France. For this issue, Agata created the make-up looks for Future New York, on page 50.

KIRIT PRAJAPATI

DAVID COTTEBLANCHE

LAURA LEIGH

NICOLE EVENTOFF Eventoff can be regularly found styling hair for editorial, fashion designer campaigns, and runway for New York Fashion Week. Nicole has recently launched “Hair Jewels by Nicole Cyrese.” The brand is built around the vision that every woman deserves to feel like a fashion icon. For this issue, Nicole styled hair for Future New York, on page 50.

NOEMI FLOREA

Growing up in Boston, Goodrich’s influences come from cultural photographers like Glen E. Freidman and Eugene Smith. He was educated at RIT, where he worked in the equipment room and camera repair departments rather than the classrooms. Since 2006 he has lived and worked in New York City, where he is inspired by raw, gritty emotions. For this issue he photographed Living Color on page 88.

After studying at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ossorio started his career as an intern at Town & Country. From there, he worked in public relations for Carlos Campos while continuing to produce runway shows and style shoots for magazines such as Interview and World Bride. For this issue, Ossorio styled the cover story, Future New York, on page 50.

This talented Parisian hairstylist to the stars launched the concept of late-night pampering when he opened the Red Market Salons in Miami and New York in 2005 and has now joined the team at Frederic Fekkai SoHo. Cotteblanche’s work has been seen in high-end fashion shows and top titles such as Marie Claire, Allure, and Elle. In this issue, Cotteblanche and his team styled hair for Future New York, on page 50.

Michael J. Fiedler began his career in journalism as a Navy photographer aboard the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas, photographing people at work. He created the Working Journal Project (working-journal.com) using black and white photography and handwriting to convey a vision of the wide variety of people he encounters. In this issue, Michael photographed Last Word on page 96.

A native of the Gujarat State in India, Prajapati is a self-taught photographer who never gets tired of shooting the iconic structures of New York City, especially at sunrise and sunset. He loves the mix of nature’s most beautiful moments with humanmade cityscapes. In 2013 his photo of the Empire State Building won the “My Empire State Building” contest. For this issue, Kirit photographed Lower Manhattan from above, for Viewfinder on page 24.

Laura is a photojournalist and founder of Wild Horse Education. She fought a 6-year legal battle to open wild horse roundups to daily public observation. She and her organization have taken the abuses at roundups into a courtroom. Relentless litigation gained the first humane handling policy for wild horses in US history. Her work has been featured in broadcast programs and books about wild mustangs and the land they occupy. For this issue, Leigh photographed these beautiful horses for Run Wild, Run Free, on page 66.

Noemi Florea is a designer dedicated to advancing sustainability in the public’s systems, goods, and buildings. Her work ranges from public engagement by communicative design to the integration of healthy materials into public products and architecture. Noemi interviewed Marcel Van Ooyen for Market Value on page 14, and created architectural renderings for Future New York, page 50.

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

HUMANS | POWER PLAYER

MARKET VALUE Marcel Van Ooyen is leading GrowNYC into its next 50 years. by Noemi Florea portrait by Ryan Liu

FIFTY YEARS AGO, you had to be pretty dedicated to find locally grown produce and craft makers of artisanal foodstuffs in New York City. But in 1970, the same year as our first Earth Day, the first version of GrowNYC organization was born, with the mission of providing New Yorkers the tools to “be the change.” Initially named the Council on the Environment of New York City, what was originally a think tank inspired to push the environmental agenda became a coalition of farmers’ markets spread throughout the five boroughs. Seeking to prove that New Yorkers would want local and healthy food, the first Greenmarket was opened in Union Square in 1976 to crowds who shopped the varieties of locally-grown produce, meats, cheeses, and breads. Today, with Marcel Van Ooyen at the helm, GrowNYC has expanded well beyond lettuces and beets. “Back then, everything you got at the grocery store was on a styrofoam tray, covered with cellophane wrap,” says Van Ooyen. “Or you got three green tomatoes shipped from thousands of miles away, and you were basically told this was what a tomato was supposed to look like.” He continues, “When people saw, smelled, and tasted the product that was available in their own backyard but they didn’t really have access to, I think it changed the landscape when it came to food in New York City.” 44 years later, Union Square Park has become a foodie destination, its Greenmarket surrounded by gourmet groceries and restaurants. Yet what the Greenmarkets have to offer is much more than another niche grocery store. Van Ooyen’s operations epitomize a sustainable food system that promotes local production, organic practices, and distributional resilience. The organization’s continued support has lowered the regional carbon footprint through reduced transportation emissions, protected animals from endangerment by pesticide, and instituted a food system unthreatened by delays in production from distant lands. The farmers you can find here live and work within 200 miles of the city, which plays a key role in keeping the system resilient. “Every dollar you spend at a Greenmarket translates into an investment

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

upstate, into communities that protect our water and grow our food, and create a sustainable food system.” Shopping directly from farmers also allows you the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about ways to cook the food. “We want consumers to be able to have a conversation with the people who grow their food, and ask them pointed questions and build a relationship.” There is a real sense of community at a Greenmarket, and that is built on the part of us which seeks to enjoy food with others. “It’s part of human nature to want to be around other people and enjoy food with your community, and I think that’s why people are so happy at farmers markets. You’re outside in the fresh air, talking to your neighbors, surrounded by the sights and sounds of all this wonderful food, and you’re going to be able to buy better products and hopefully expand your palette a little.” The engagement increases because of the different events held at Greenmarkets, including cooking demos, scavenger hunts, and foodie tours. There is even a “farmer tan” competition in September where farmers roll up their sleeves and show off their tans. Sustainability doesn’t stop at saving the environment or supporting local businesses. A key aspect of any sustainable food system is ensuring equal access to healthy food for all. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows low-income households to purchase Greenmarket food through their EBT cards, while Health Bucks give SNAP users a 40 percent increase in purchasing power by providing two dollar coupons for every five dollars spent with SNAP. Beyond the markets, GrowNYC also pilots a number of recycling programs, including for food waste and for clothing. Collection is organized in cooperation with the Department of Sanitation, and bins can be found in a number of public and residential buildings, including all New York public schools. Educating children on the importance of recycling is a key aspect of Van Ooyen’s work, and is done in the classroom, at the market, and in the gardens. “Everything we do involves providing all New Yorkers the easy tools to make both the city and the world better.”

POWER PLAYER | HUMANS

EAT YOUR VEG Marcel Van Ooyen, president and CEO of GrowNYC, in the Union Square Greenmarket.

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYCâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

FERTILE GROUND Top and Middle: Composting programs are one part of what GrowNYC does. Bottom left and right: A bird’s-eye view of GrowNYC Teaching Garden on Governors Island. GrowNYC Youth Development participants with coordinator David Saphire.

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

Food, which comprises nearly 21 percent of New York City’s waste stream, is turned into compost to be used in green spaces and local urban farming and gardening projects. (For specifics about what can be composted, visit grownyc.org.) The network of community gardens helps transform the city into a safe and beautiful place to live. Green spaces improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and provide a sense of community. “For some folks, the gardens are really the only access they have to an open space or the only ability they have to grow food or to relax and enjoy nature.” Textile donations are divided into a number of different uses: items in good condition may be resold in secondhand stores or overseas, while other pieces may become rag fiber used for industrial parts. These donations help reduce food and clothing waste, which are the largest two contributors to overflowing landfills. Finally, to support local farmers and make their products more widely available, GrowNYC will break ground this year on the NYS Greenmarket Regional Food Hub, a wholesale distribution center designed to work with supermarkets to encourage the purchase and sale of fresh, local food. “It’s more important that we work with supermarkets to try and help them find ways to support local farmers and participate in the food system that we are trying to create.” Van Ooyen’s plans for GrowNYC are not limited to the Greenmarkets. “Certainly, the lack of focus on renewable energy is frightening when it comes to climate change, and the necessity to reduce our carbon output.” By acting as a platform for policy initiatives, working as a key player in implementing new ideas and testing innovation, the organization strives to show policymakers the way forward. “We’re a ‘roll up your sleeves, get stuff done, grow a garden in the middle of your backyard’ kind of organization,” says Van Ooyen. GrowNYC, under Van Ooyen’s leadership, encourages people to make small changes that can pay off in a big way, ultimately creating a new generation of environmental stewards. grownyc.org DT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY BACHMAN (TOP AND MIDDLE); AMANDA GENTILE FOR GROWNYC (BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT).

HUMANS | POWER PLAYER

BELKY Allentown, PA Successful emergency delivery of breech birth

The hospital babies prefer helped Belky and her baby win the fight of their lives. To find an OB/GYN, call 855-969-7564 or visit nyp.org/lowermanhattan-obgyn

HUMANS | ENTREPRENEUR

A CLEANER CLEAN A sustainable company that is shaking up a dirty industry. by Fernanda Mueller

HAVE YOU EVER QUESTIONED the warning labels on cleaning products? When you are supposed to be cleaning your house, you are actually bringing more bad stuff into it, or worse, using chemicals that can get you sick—that is the dirty truth about household cleaners. Ryan Lupberger and Zachary Bedrosian realized how serious this issue was when they first looked at their laundry detergent label and noticed that there were no ingredients listed. The two friends started to do some research and they found out that many of the ingredients were extremely harmful to the planet and to our health. “The more we researched, the more we figured out how dirty this industry was.” The companies that were actually producing cleaning products with natural ingredients weren’t so eco-friendly, as Luberger explains— they all used plastic packaging. “It never made sense that these ‘better for the world brands’ would use so much plastic packaging when they were trying to help the world,” he says. That is why Luperger and Bedrosian created Cleancult using natural ingredients with packaging that is truly zero waste. In order to reduce plastic waste, they came up with a creative refill program: the first product you buy comes in a plastic bottle and is called “The last bottle of soap you will ever need.” After you finish it they send you a fresh supply of the product, packaged in paper-based milk cartons and 100% plastic-free paper mailers. Customers can subscribe to receive a monthly supply kit automatically or they can buy each product

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

separately on Cleancult’s website, on Amazon, and at The Container Store nationwide. The main ingredient used in the products is coconut oil—known for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial powers. According to Lupberger, this is the most effective natural ingredient in the market. The formula containing coconut oil tackles grease, grime,

stains, and splotches just as well as unnatural products, proving you don’t need harmful chemicals to get a solid clean. Some of the other ingredients used are: saponified olive oil, zemea propanediol, citric acid and a natural essential oil blend to make the products smell good. Every ingredient that goes inside the household cleaner is listed on the package. Creating an effective cleaning formula wasn’t that easy. Lupberger and Bedrosian spent a year and a half in Puerto Rico, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, to research and develop their all-natural and organic products. The company is based in Puerto Rico, working to create sustainability on a community level as well. They are also giving back to the island, after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. They have partnered with C+Feel=Hope to help Puerto Rican families in need. Lupberger has always had an eco-friendly way of living and his company’s philosophy reflects his own. From a young age he considered himself part of the movement “In me, on me, and around me.” The movement starts with the products that we consume, the personal care products we use, like sunscreen and chapstick, and the products that we use in our environment, like household cleaners. This way of thinking and living proves that sustainability is much more complicated than just simply buying organic food. Companies like Cleancult show us that it is possible to change, one bottle of household cleaner at a time. cleancult.com DT

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CULTURE | ACTIVIST

KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR Chef John Doherty of Blackbarn is feeding those less fortunate with his new foundation, Heavenly Harvst. by Michael Hammer

MEGA CHEF JOHN DOHERTY spent the early part of his career preparing the finest foods on the planet for the biggest names on earth during his three-decade tenure at the Waldorf Astoria. Now his mission is to make sure that delicious meals are available to those who need them most. The 62-year-old Long Island native is focused on putting meals in the mouths of the hungry—and using his unparalleled expertise to make them the best they have ever eaten. “I am passionate about feeding those in need,” he says. “After nearly 30 years of cooking for over a million people a year in the Waldorf Astoria kitchen and at Blackbarn over the past four years, I have learned what people like to eat,” says Doherty. “This experience made it easy for me to develop meals that families will feel proud to put on their table.” After years of research and development to create pre-packaged meals worthy of any fine-dining table, he has launched the Heavenly Harvst Foundation, with the mission of serving up shelf-stable, nutritious meals to deserving people around the country. “It’s real—and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he says. “The people I wanted to reach the most are eating these meals.” In partnership with Feed the Children Foundation, Heavenly Harvst has distributed more than 50,000 meals to families in New York City, Upstate New York, Boston, and Chicago. Chef Doherty became interested in producing high-end meals for a mass market after being approached by the company Chicken Soup For The Soul. “Once I realized they wanted high-quality food with no preservatives, I was all-in,” he said. Doherty reached out to Feed the Children to help distribute the food, along with personal hygiene products and school supplies. “They thought that the meals were a perfect addition

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SPREADING LOVE Chef Doherty with a young friend in Chicago, and with Frank Sinatra, below.

because they are pre-cooked, sterilized and don’t have to be refrigerated. They’re perfect for homebound people and disaster relief.” Doherty used his restaurant, Blackbarn in NoMad, and his unparalleled reputation, to raise funds for the project. He raised $120,000 at a September event, and is hoping to make an additional 50-60,000 meals with a third recipe in the near future. “The need is greater than I can produce,” he says. “My daughter left a successful career as a fashion designer to devote all of her time to this, and we’re putting all our focus on finding corporate sponsors and donations so that we can reach even more people.” And lest you think that the chef has abandoned serving amazing meals in a restaurant setting, you are strongly urged to join him at his two Blackbarn locations, in NoMad and in the Chelsea Market, where food isn’t the only comfort you will find. “After so many years of silver and plush carpeting at the Waldorf, I wanted to offer a different kind of experience,” he says. “I didn’t think it was the future of food.” Blackbarn offers a range of artisanal home decor items, many locally made and sourced. “I want people to have the finest food, the best service — but I want them to feel at home and to relax and be comfortable. I want them to listen to music and have a good time.” He describes the Blackbarn as a “rustic environment” with concrete, wood, metal, and natural elements. “I don’t want people who come here to feel like it’s a ‘performance,’” he explains. “It’s refined food in a relaxed atmosphere. The dishes have complexity in flavor and texture.

The flavors excite the palate. I also told the wine team that if the wine doesn’t change the conversation I don’t want it on the list.” Chef Doherty’s experience at the Waldorf— serving celebrities and heads of state from Imelda Marcos to Frank Sinatra—refined his desire for perfection, but his experience as a kid growing up in Suffolk County kept him connected to everyday people who enjoy fine food. “I started in Johnny Charcoal House in Commack,” he recalls. “I saw the love they put into that food. My experience at the Culinary Institute of America taught me precision and excellence, and the Waldorf gave me a hunger to be the best. Now I want to share that with people who may not have the same opportunities, people who others among us would take for granted.” There’s no question, that’s a recipe we should all want to follow. heavenlyharvst.org DT

To support our New York City community in need, Glyph offers pro bono design for small businesses during this difficult time. Reach out. We're willing to help. Glyph.NYC connect@glyph.nyc

HUMANS | THE REFORMERS

BE THE CHANGE To make an impact on climate change, we all have to decide that “business as usual” is no longer acceptable, and that every decision we make impacts the world at large. We asked some of our Downtown leaders to weigh in. Dr. Laura L. Forese

MD, MPH Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian At NewYork-Presbyterian, we are committed to adopting sustainable practices across our hospitals to create a healthier environment for our patients, their families, our staff, and the diverse and vibrant communities we serve in Lower Manhattan and the Greater New York area. In 2009, NewYork-Presbyterian established NYPgreen to advance our commitment to environmental sustainability. The program was designed to empower all levels of the organization, from frontline staff to leadership, to promote sustainable operations across the enterprise. Its scope is vast and encompasses everything from energy conservation to recycling. Small steps can make a big difference. One of the most effective things an individual can do to reduce their carbon footprint is to eat more plant-based meals in lieu of meat products. NewYork-Presbyterian has implemented a Meatless Monday campaign, and we are adding more plant-based options to our menus, which are better for both human and environmental health. Our focus on sustainable food made me more conscious at home, too, and my family now practices Meatless Mondays. In 2018, NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital launched an on-demand, room service food model for patients. Not only did this improve the patient dining experience, it helped reduce the hospital’s food waste by more than 30%. And we transitioned to paper straws in our cafeterias and give drink discounts to people who bring their own cups. Together, these small changes can have an impact. When leaders consider the future of their organizations, both sustainability and resilience must be part of the conversation. For example, we built sustainability into the design of the NewYork-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center. Its green roof can retain up to six inches of storm water and helps to cool the building. The

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building’s skin and high-efficiency mechanical systems are designed to decrease energy use by 19 percent and water usage by 30 percent. The resilient design enables the building to continue delivering care to patients during an extreme weather event or disruption to the city’s power. We’re proud that this ambulatory care center recently achieved LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council and is the first project in New York City to earn certification under the LEED Healthcare rating system.

Saul S

cherl

President, Tri-State Region, Howard Hughes Corporation/Seaport District The opportunity to steward the newest chapter of the Seaport, New York’s original commercial port, is a privilege and I feel fortunate to be immersed in our city’s history. With this stewardship comes the responsibility of evaluating the best ways—and the challenge of implementing best practices—to position this historic port and neighborhood, including its anchor, the South Street Seaport Museum, for a resilient future. HHC is currently preparing for next year’s reopening of the 1907 Tin Building. It is a story not only of historic preservation and reconstruction, but one of sustainability and resiliency in the face of challenges that time has unleashed upon this storied port—from the decaying age-old wooden piers, to buildings damaged by fires, to the epic floodwaters of Hurricane Sandy. Before HHC could even begin recreating the Tin Building and the extensive process of salvaging, cataloging and storing its historic elements, we had to address the very foundation on which the building sits and ensure that it would remain viable for future generations to come. We began with a complete reconstruction of the Tin Building pier, located immediately west of Pier 17, a complex process which included the demolition of the deteriorated pier

structures and the building of new concrete and steel piles under the currents of the East River. Only then could the reconstruction of the Tin Building itself take place, which involved its relocation 32 feet to the east and six feet above its original location to higher ground—now one foot above the FEMA 100-year floodplain. The relocation eastward allowed us to enhance the building’s relationship to the river’s edge, its view corridors and its accessibility. It also enabled us to preserve the historic metal canopy as originally intended—a key element of the building’s gracious arrival sequence, which was subsequently obstructed by the construction of the FDR Drive. I have indelible childhood memories of spending afternoons exploring the Seaport neighborhood, and venturing onto Pier 17, into the South Street Seaport Museum, and even into the wholesale fish market of the old Tin Building. I take to heart this extraordinary opportunity we have to ensure this unique and vital cornerstone of our city will be here for the generations ahead to experience and enjoy.

Catherine

McVay Hughes

Ceres President’s Council Sustainability is on everyone’s mind, at businesses big and small, in our private lives, and at almost all levels of government. This is a welcome change and lays the foundation for concerted action. There is no doubt that this level of commitment and concern will lead to action at even the highest levels of government. For me making conscious choices includes buying and eating locally sourced food in season whether cooking at home or eating out. Some clothing designers are innovating in exciting ways with low-waste and even zero waste manufacturing. Since large investors have the longest time horizons, they are our best hope to transform corporate sustainability policies. The world

THE REFORMERS | HUMANS

leader in helping investors press for these policies is a Boston-based nonprofit called Ceres whose network controls around $35 trillion of assets. The more companies that work with Ceres, the more likely that corporate best practices with sustainability will spread.

Tyl

er Hollinger

Owner, Highlife Productions From the fish dishes we provide, to our ZERO plastic use, Aquarius Sustainable Seafood Festival is by definition sustainable. One of the best things to come around in a while for event purposes is CUPZERO. This company changes the game when you think of large scale plastic cup usage. Change starts with awareness. Raising awareness among people and educating them about, for example, sustainable seafood is the start. Just look at where we are at right now with straws. All it took was one viral video of turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose for people to vocally change their ‘straw habits.’ The city didn’t do this. The state legislature didn’t. It was educating the public.

ike Spindler

Former CEO of Fulton Fish Market, Founder of FultonFishMarket.com Can protein products feed the expected growth in population sustainably, while reducing the impact on natural resources? And can we produce protein that does all this in a tasty, easy to prep way? Luckily, with seafood, we can answer this multifaceted problem with a resounding YES. Hundreds of independent research papers document how responsibly, sustainably harvested seafood can meet the protein needs of a growing global population, and support expanded consumption by current inhabitants.

Larry Silverstein

This expanded dependency dramatically and positively impacts planet health by responsibly moving sustenance dependency off land. At FultonFishMarket.com, every product offered is responsibly and sustainably harvested. Most of America’s seafood is imported from thousands of miles away, and has been frozen, at least once. Our product often comes from the waters off our coast (the most highly regulated fisheries in the world), so instead of traveling on average 5,000 miles from water to plate, our fish travels about 500 miles per serving. Finally, most of our materials, from the gel packs (water) to the insulated liner (spun cotton), has been developed by us to get the seafood to your door as fresh as when it came out of the water, and then the packaging can go right into the compost bin.

Rory

McCr

eesh

Founder, Duce Construction We don’t supply fast fashion, we construct quality products that are meant to withstand the test of time. The bulk of our business is renovation, restoring and breathing new life into old buildings. To do this, we use post-consumer products whenever available. We buy best quality tools and equipment for an extended use life. Our HVAC systems and lighting fixtures are high-efficiency. We spend a lot of time educating ourselves on energy efficiencies and technologies. And we repurpose demolition materials and appliances. Internally, we utilize a program called Procore. It is a key tool in our company that acts as an umbrella for all our construction needs from bidding, document management, daily logs, drawing management, budgeting and more. It’s a cutting-edge cloud-based technology to synchronize all of our staff’s mobile devices with all project documentation, drawings, and specifications. This significantly reduces our carbon footprint by eliminating the need to print paper copies, and then reprinting them every time a revision is issued.

M arlene Poynde

General Manager, Conrad New York Downtown at Conrad Hotels and Resorts We are dedicated to creating a sustainable experience for our Conrad New York Downtown guests, starting with impactful programs locally and beyond. We have a growing mix of initiatives that reduce waste, including recycling soaps and empty toiletry containers through Clean the World; using LED lights throughout the building; recycling Nespresso pods; fitting motion sensorcontrolled lighting and HVAC systems in our guest rooms; and installing water dispensers that track the amount of water bottles saved and more. We have also established a collaboration with the Rethink Program, an organization that repurposes excess food to create nutritious and delicious meals for underserved New York City residents. From eliminating plastic straws to recycling soap, we are committed to making changes that will have a positive ripple effect on our planet. Personally, I do not use single use plastic water bottles or coffee cups; I do not utilize plastic straws; I take a reusable shopping bag when I grocery shop; among many other things. Our guests have come to appreciate our vision of sustainable luxury, and we are always looking to expand on our existing green initiatives. We recently joined forces with Rocean, the leading supplier of sustainable smart water solutions. Through this new partnership, we will soon offer Rocean Zero smart filtration devices inside each of the our 463 suites, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles. Conrad New York Downtown was designed and built solely using strategies that aim to preserve precious resources, and the addition of the Rocean system further strengthens Hilton’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact by 50% in 2030 by offering plastic-free solutions for our guests.

Chairman, Silverstein Properties As part of our response to 9/11, we at Silverstein Properties pledged to conserve New York’s most precious resources, including water and energy. We pledged to create a healthy, enjoyable and productive environment for the people who work here. And we pledged to safeguard the health of the people who live, work, visit and go to school in Lower Manhattan. 7 World Trade Center was the first LEED-certified office building in the city, and one of the healthiest places to work in the country. With that building, we raised the bar for green construction: Every other building at the new World Trade Center is sustainably designed, energy efficient and a healthy and productive place to work. We also created new parks and green spaces, which are a terrific amenity for our tenants, local residents and visitors to Downtown.

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rno

dkins

HUMANS | THE REFORMERS

Project Manager, One South First In our studio, we address sustainability holistically to make buildings better for the planet and for people through high-performance and biophilic design strategies. We can all learn to use less, buy goods that are durable and can be upcycled, and we can make a huge impact on the planet by demanding that our products be free of harmful chemicals, not just the finished products but along the entire supply chain. We believe we can make a global impact and make our buildings more sustainable and healthy by addressing building supply chains to eliminate toxins, reduce impacts on ecosystems, and ensure that people and their communities are fairly compensated and protected.

essica Lappin

President, Downtown Alliance As a lifelong New Yorker, I have a deep appreciation for this city’s natural geography. New York City’s waterways have made it a prosperous center of trade for centuries, and have only added to its unique beauty. I also recognize that it’s our generation’s duty to face head-on the current climate crisis and future impact of rising sea levels — and at the Downtown Alliance we’re doing just that. On the largest scale, we advocate for a fully-funded, comprehensive resiliency plan that can protect our shores. We additionally push to inspire more sustainable daily habits within our neighborhood that can really make a difference. The most robust effort in this vein has been to divert as much trash as possible from the landfills — this helps ensure that we’re reusing materials where possible and reducing the environmental and health impact of landfill emissions. To date, we’ve collected almost 1,500 tons of public recycling (that’s as much as 500 Elephants, 111 NYC buses or if we could magically convert it into gold, $55B dollars), we host regular e-waste, textile and shredding events, and this April we are embarking on the country’s first mobile-operated public compost bins. In partnership with the NYC Department of Sanitation and with support from Brookfield Properties, we’re bringing 11 compost bins to Lower Manhattan as a pilot program for the city. This will provide a convenient way for people to divert anything that grows from landfills, which currently accounts for one third of all waste produced by New York City. This will be an educational process for the neighborhood that could even expand if it’s successful. Together, we can have a real, positive impact on our city and planet.

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“Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up. And change is coming, whether you like it or not.” —Greta Thunberg, at the U.N. Climate Action Summit, 2019

Alejandro Agag

Chairman, Formula E Holdings, Ltd. There is the big picture and the small picture in sustainability. The big picture is to promote electric mobility. Formula E is a platform to make electric cars more attractive to a mass audience as they’ll see electric racing and it will bring people closer to electric cars and make it more appealing. It’s a laboratory for technology. In Formula E, technologies for electric cars are improved, batteries are developed to go faster for longer and this technology can then trickle down to road cars and make them again more attractive for the mass market. That’s the big picture. The small picture is of course tackling the footprint of our championship. Where possible we minimize our carbon footprint, we off-set our emissions, we optimize our logistics and take measures to make our events as sustainable as possible. Recycling at home, adding solar panels and of course using an electric car in my day-to-day life—there are many choices we can make, that if we add them up, an entire population will create a big change. I think that’s a result of people becoming more conscious and more aware of climate change, and that’s really important. We are now aware of what is going on and what is at stake, and that has a big influence on our personal decisions. Formula E needs to provoke and needs to invite other companies to follow the journey towards climate action. Everyone should be welcoming this. It’s of course very important to raise awareness but that alone is not enough. We need specific changes and there are many companies in various domains that are leading those and that’s how Formula E can incentivize other companies to follow the journey.

John Oppermann

Executive Director, Earth Day Initiative Earth Day has always reflected the environmental challenges of the day. Over the last fifty years, the conversation surrounding Earth Day has reflected the topics of environmental concern of the time and offered solutions directed at those concerns. As we find ourselves at the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the conversation is absolutely oriented toward climate action and building the global momentum we need to solve the looming climate crisis. We find that people are really clamoring for ways to take action in their own lives to make a positive impact on the environment. We’ve provided a series of easy action items people can commit to for Earth Day 50 on our website at earthdayinitiative.org. One of the primary actions we tell people to take is to switch to renewable energy, wherever they live. Many people don’t know that they can join a local solar project in their area whereby they lease a portion of solar panels from a local solar facility and then they get paid for the electricity generated by their portion of solar panels. The amount you get paid will often be higher than the lease payment so you make money from joining the project. You can join even if you live in an apartment building or rent because there is no need to install solar panels on your own home. This model, known as community solar, helps bring renewable energy to your community and saves you money. It’s a win-win for everyone. There are different ways to divide up the responsibility of various sectors of our economy to global climate change. You can splice it up to say the transportation industry contributes X percent and the building industry contributes Y percent. But often what our total emissions equation all goes back to is that we get our electricity from fossil fuels. If we were to switch over at a mass scale to electric vehicles, it would do a lot to bring down emissions, but to have an even bigger impact, that electricity should be coming from renewable energy. New York City could make great strides toward reducing its carbon footprint if it were to move even further toward being a public transitoriented and car-free city. If we could invest substantially to improve and expand our public transit options and discourage use of singlepassenger vehicles, we would make the city more sustainable and more livable for New Yorkers. In the age of climate change, New York City faces great challenges with the potential for rising sea levels, extreme weather, and stresses on our basic infrastructure. An unfortunate fact is that we not only need to take steps to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions but we also need to make massive efforts to adapt to the new reality of climate change. DT

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VIEWFINDER

GARDEN PARTY At the southern tip of Manhattan, a 25-acre oasis awaits. by Dan Metz photography by Kirit Prajapati

AN AERIAL PHOTO of Lower Manhattan from June 2018, by Kirit Prajapati.

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VIEWFINDER THE BATTERY IN DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN is a tribute to resilience. You might know it as the park surrounding the ferries to Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty, or the site of Castle Clinton, a 19th-century fort. Over the last decade, the non-profit park has developed its 25-acre plot into so much more. The gardens stretch across 195,000 sqare feet, with an expansion project which will grow it to a massive 240,000 sqare feet. The Battery, and the memorials within it, have come to represent the strength of New York City, as well as its efforts to adapt to climate change. On September 11, 2001, The Battery was a 15-minute walk from the World Trade Center complex. The park was in the middle of construction of their first garden, which ran along the southern edge, looking out over the water. As the morning turned to afternoon, thousands of survivors made their way to the ferry, passing the garden on their way to safety. The Battery dedicated that garden, called the Gardens of Remembrance, to the survivors. From there, The Battery added The Bosque (Spanish for a grove of trees), The Tiffany & Co. Woodland Gardens, The Battery Bikeway Gardens, the Battery Urban Farm, the SeaGlass carousel, and more, becoming a destination all its own instead of a way-station for ferry-goers. When Greta Thunberg came to NYC in September 2019, 80,000 people gathered in The Battery Oval to hear her speak. “We truly want to be the contrast to the urban grid and the verticality of our buildings,” says Battery Conservancy Founder and President Warrie Price, “We are downtown’s garden.” And, as “downtown’s garden,” The Battery has built a relationship with the community. In addition to the 44 million people who cross through the park every year, the Battery Urban Farm receives some 7,000 students from 150 schools who volunteer to grow food. And it is a lot of food: 1000 lbs in 2018, all pesticide and toxin-free. In return, that food goes back

to the students who grew it in the form of fruit snacks and salad bars in lunchrooms across town. Volunteering is not just for kids: Price invites all of those curious about growing food in the city to come by and learn from trained horticulturists. The Battery has also become a centerpoint for sustainability and biodiversity in New York City. Dense perennials and meandering gardens has turned The Battery into a migratory butterfly waystation, as well as a home for diverse bird species. Since Hurricane Sandy flooded the gardens in 2012, The Battery has focused on planting salt-tolerant plants that can survive floods and help the ground hold water to prevent runoff. That rising water, Price says, has become worrying over the years. Rising waters caused by global warming could be an existential threat to low-lying New York City. “I’m very concerned because I see it,” says Price, “When I started 26 years ago, the basement of (Castle Clinton) didn’t flood at high tide. (We) see it ourselves here and we must respond. You can’t just say it’s not going to happen or there’s never going to be another Sandy. Well, there will be.” The Battery’s current construction project, a playground with 40,000 square feet of shrubs and trees, will be the park’s last major capital project, and in the next five years, they will move to resilience projects. It will be a big undertaking for the park, which is a non-profit. Just keeping the park open and free-of-charge, sunrise to sunset every day of the year, takes $3 million in private donations. But, for Price, there is value in keeping this park alive. “Isn’t that worth a visit?” she asks, looking out over the hundred or so people wandering amongst the plants and the trees, or riding the SeaGlass carousel. “Isn’t that worth a lingering moment?” DT

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY @CASA_RODRIGUES_

TOP AND BOTTOM: Views of the Battery by photographer @casa_rodrigues_

TOGETHER WE STAND TALL TO SHAPE A GREENER FUTURE

downtownny.com

CULTURE | SAVOIR FARE

VERTICAL LIVING At FarmOne, underground space in TriBeCa is transformed into an urban farm.

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SAVOIR FARE | CULTURE

FARM LIVING New York City may be a concrete jungle, but behind the scenes there is a growing urban farm culture. by Fernanda Mueller

IN THE CITY of skyscrapers, cabs and subways, where nature seems sparse, it can be a challenge to access fresh, healthy food. That is why a growing contingent of farms and restaurants are maximizing their local production to provide customers with better quality products. Whether they are part of the urban farm movement—giving new purpose to rooftops and unused spaces in the middle of the concrete jungle—or working with their own traditional farms upstate, these companies are pushing the food industry to become more sustainable, one lettuce leaf at a time. FARM.ONE In New York City you can taste cuisines from all over the world, but it can be a challenge to find special produce, especially in the colder months. Farm.One is taking urban farming to the next—subterranean—level. Since their founding, they have grown over 700 varieties of microgreens, edible flowers, and rare herbs in a Tribeca basement, usually 50-150 varieties at a time. They work with top restaurant chefs in New York, including L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Marea, and their Michelin-rated neighbor Atera. In addition to their Tribeca basement location, they also have installations at The Dalton School, October, and Project Farmhouse, as well as an upcoming Hudson Yards Whole Foods location. Farm.One creates a year-round controlled environment

through a practice called Vertical Farming. Stacked multiple layers of growing trays are illuminated by LED lights to provide sunlight, and they all use hydroponic technology— growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution, instead of soil. They use a management software that guides the process from seed to harvest, using custom growing recipes for each species to optimize flavor and appearance. If a chef wants to use Nepitella, an edible flower from Tuscany, Farm.One can grow it, delivering it within hours of harvest to ensure freshness. Founder and CEO Rob Laing is proud of the work they have done in the last three years. At the moment, they are focused on rare ingredients for elite restaurants because, as Laing explains, “Downtown’s gastronomy is very rich.” But he believes that vertical farming and hydroponic technology are the future, especially when it comes to sustainability. This kind of farming avoids pesticides, soil contamination, manure, and uses on average 95% less water than the equivalent conventional farm. Since it is possible to grow products in the middle of the city, they can be and often are delivered on foot or by subway, with almost zero emissions. Farm.One offers tours which can be booked on their website. Guests can taste some of the special products while enjoying a glass of wine, or they can take a cocktail class hosted at the farm. That is a great way to create a local community of providers and consumers. farm.one THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

CULTURE | SAVOIR FARE

BLENHEIM You can have an authentic farm-to-table dining experience at this intimate Michelinrated restaurant in the West Village. Most of the dishes are made with the produce that they grow in their two upstate farms in the Catskills mountains—Blenheim Hill and Seven Ponds. Besides growing herbs, greens and vegetables, they raise chickens, horses, pigs, ducks, and Icelandic lamb. During the summer, the vast majority of the restaurant’s menu comes from the farm, but for the rest of the year, the ingredients that they can’t grow are purchased from local providers. Executive chef Morten Sohlberg explains: “The most important thing for us is to make beautiful food, and we try to use as much as possible of what we can grow. We don’t intend to grow or raise things that just don’t make any sense for us.” The products are used not only in the restaurant, but also in the events hosted at the farms—weddings are a big part of their business. Chefs from Blenheim restaurant, Blenheim Hill Farm, and Seven Ponds Farm cook in each location, ensuring that the key recipes are exactly the same in all venues. In order to make sure that they don’t grow produce that won’t be used, Sohlberg interfaces between the upstate farms and the West Village restaurant, preventing food waste. He explains, “We have control over every stage of our operation, from how we are breeding the chicks and pigs all the way until it’s on the plate.” blenheimhill.com

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DEVON Eli Zabar created his network of markets, restaurants, and bars uptown. His son Oliver decided to expand the family legacy to Downtown, so along with his twin brother Sasha, he opened Devon—a restaurant that embodies the cool spirit of the Lower East Side. What is really unique about the small neighborhood spot is that many ingredients used in the cocktails and dishes come straight from the family greenhouse, located on 91st street. Though the farm movement is big now, back in 1995, Eli Zabar built the first rooftop greenhouse atop his Vinegar Factory and over the years he has expanded the urban garden across two rooftops and 22.000 square feet. “We were definitely the first in New York, I don’t believe anyone was doing it back then. And even today, I can’t name any restaurant that has such a large amount of grow room area in the city,” says Sasha. They use the hydroponic technology to grow many kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are sold in the markets and used in the restaurants. Heirloom tomatoes are one of the Zabar’s Greenhouse highlights. The beautiful fruits are pollinated naturally, by birds, insects, wind, or human hands, which means there is no genetic modification. They use the entire harvest, from tomatoes sauces sold in the stores, to lemonade cocktails for Devon. Sasha explains: “We didn’t build the greenhouse for publicity, we did this because we wanted better quality ingredients.” devon-nyc.com

BROOKLYN GRANGE With three rooftop farms in New York City—in Long Island City, Brooklyn Navy Yard and Sunset Park—Brooklyn Grange has been creating a sustainable model for urban agriculture since 2010. They have transformed bare roofs into ecosystems adhering to organic farming practices, and by doing so, they produce healthy food for the local community while helping the environment. “Once we have created an ecosystem on a roof, we have to maintain it and help it flourish. That means farming without chemicals, and with as much respect to conserving resources as possible.” The produce grown on the roofs is sold at the weekly farmer’s market at each location. You can also find their harvest in many restaurants and retailers in the city, which are listed on the Brooklyn Grange website. When planning what to grow for the season, they consider the community in which they are located. For example, since Sunset Park has the lowest single-occupancy rate in any neighborhood in New York—most households in the area are families—the bunch sizes that they create for sale at the market are planned accordingly. Beyond the farm, Brooklyn Grange offers sustainability consulting services for companies all over the world. They plan, design, and install green roofs, green walls, and organic urban farm systems. Brooklyn Grange also supports youth educational visits to the farm through a program called City Growers, and they’ve already brought about 60,000 kids to the rooftops. “We need to teach the next generation, as well as our own, that the choices we make at the supermarket affect our ecosystem, and the environment in general. Our rooftop farms provide a really wonderful platform to do this, and can help support the rural farmers who truly feed our cities by growing a more informed and empowered urban consumer base.” brooklyngrangefarm.com DT

URBANITY | CULTURE

THE GOOD EARTH

ARCADIA EARTH, part of this year’s Earth Day 5k Green tour. BELOW: Bob Holman, founder of the Bowery Poetry Club.

Earth Day turns 50—Some ways to honor our home planet. by Daniel Metz

TAKE A HIKE Grab your walking shoes and head to the West Village for an educational exploration to visit green groups around NYC, created by the Earth Day Initiative. The groups and destinations change every year—this year’s stops include Arcadia Earth, the world’s first immersive augmented reality environmental journey. earthdayinitiative.org

BIRTHDAY BLOCK PARTY In conjunction with the Department of Transportation, the Earth Day Initiative is throwing Earth Day

blowout 50th birthday party. While New Yorkers are walking through Car Free NYC, they can wander over to Union Square to check out more than 70 exhibitors from environmental non-profits to green businesses, as well as children’s activities and live performances.

CAR FREE LIVING For one day each year, the Department of Transportation lets pedestrians walk free down Broadway from Times Square to Union Square. City agencies and nonprofit organizations will offer environmental programming along the route to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and other relevant topics. In addition, the Chinatown Partnership offers a “weekend walk,” providing additional programming on Forsythe Street from Canal Street to East Broadway. Walkers can check out art and cultural activities, active lifestyle activations, movies, and fun for the whole family. www1.nyc.gov A WHOLE NEW WORLD Earth Day is

A found-object town created in the “Recycled World” project at MOCACREATE.

about creation, and the Museum of Chinese in America is happy to help. Join them for ‘Recycled World,’ a special edition of their MOCACREATE series. Attendees can use recycled materials to create a mini world of their own or help create a collaborative community

that envisions what the earth might be like in the future. Bring children or not--this is an event for all ages. mocanyc.com

ODE TO JOY In April, the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra will be performing Songs of Our Sphere at 6 River Terrace. The music is inspired by the Greek Philosopher Pythagoras’ ‘Music of the Spheres.’ KCO will perform works that celebrate nature and the natural world. And, you can join Bob Holman (above), founder of the Bowery Poetry Club, at Poets House for Nature in Poetry. Holman will read selections of his poetry, as well as works by others, which were inspired by nature. He will lead a discussion highlighting our connection with endangered species. bpca.nyc.gov DT

FROM THE EDITORS: Due to New York’s response to the global pandemic of COVID-19, gatherings and events have been postponed or cancelled. Please check websites and always follow local, state, and federal guidelines regarding social distancing, safety, and disease prevention.

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CULTURE | URBANITY JUST IN TIME This spring, the Public Theater will bring award-winning playwright Mona Mansour’s The Vagrant Trilogy to the stage for its New York premiere. The show follows Adham, a Palestinian Wordsworth Scholar in 1967, through the forked realities created by his response to news of a war back home. Featuring six actors in nineteen different roles, Mansour’s drama spans four decades and three generations of a family uprooted by war and politics. publictheater.org

BRIGHT LIGHTS The Tribeca Film Festival returns to the city for its 19th year, bringing some of the hottest, most innovative films and filmmakers downtown for a 12-day celebration of creative expression and immersive entertainment. This year TFF crosses the Hudson to Hoboken, NJ, and collaborates with Democracy Works and Civic Alliance to promote voter turnout. The opening night gala will feature the newest work by award-winning director Mary Wharton and live performances from music legends Willie Nelson, Nile Rogers, Paul Shaffer, and more. tribecafilm.com

SEE YOUR CITY

The arts take center stage. by Dan Metz

OUT OF DARKNESS Located on 6th Street in Manhattan, the Ukrainian Museum is a hidden gem in downtown Manhattan. This small cultural hub dedicates itself to the preservation and exploration of Ukrainian and Ukrainian American art and culture. Front and center through March 22nd, From Darkness Into Light explores painter Mikhail Turovsky’s artistic journey from his childhood in World War II Europe through his young adulthood in the Soviet Union, and his resettling in the United States at the end of the ‘70s. ukrainianmuseum.org SOLITUDE OF THE OTHER Many things can inspire art. Lichen, a composite organism resulting from a symbiosis between fungi and algae, seems an unlikely choice. Daiga Grantina’s first institutional solo exhibition in the US, at the New Museum, explores concepts of coexistence and self-replication, life and death, through her large-scale, site-specific sculptural assemblages. newmuseum.org

SILVER SCREEN DREAMS Federico Fellini: The Book of Dreams chronicles the writings and sketches of Italian director and screenwriter Federico Fellini. For nearly 50 years, Fellini graced the world with some of the greatest and most influential films of all time, drawing on the fantastic and the baroque to bring his visions to life. This new edition gives insight into Fellini’s often bizarre imagination and creative process.

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URBANITY | CULTURE

SMALL THINGS, GREAT LOVE Mmuseumm, the tiniest museum

DOWNTOWN UNDERGROUND This year’s Manhattan Film Festival will air at Downtown’s own Cinema Village. For 14 days, attendees can experience some of the best new and upcoming films in the business. Founded in 2006, the Manhattan Film Festival aims to promote independent filmmakers and connect them with others in the indie film community. It has been listed as one of the nation’s top film festivals. manhattanff.com

in NYC, will be reopening its doors this spring after its annual winter hibernation. Hidden within the streets of Downtown Manhattan, Mmuseumm dedicates itself to “object journalism,” or the exploration of humanity and current events through revealing objects. Located, in part, in a former street-level elevator shaft, Mmuseumm displays regular hours but is also open to the public 24 hours a day via peepholes in its doors. mmuseumm.com

WHAT IF WE LAUGHED? The International Center of Photography will be showing four new exhibitions through mid-May, highlighting aspects of New York culture. In Tyler Mitchell’s I Can Make You Feel Good, Mitchell explores the seemingly utopian idea of what black fun looks like in a world devoid of cultural and socioeconomic burdens that often limit black expression. icp.org

FOTO STOCKHOLM Fotografiska New York opened in Flatiron just before the new year, offering three floors of exhibition space as well as a dining room and bar operated by award-winning STARR Restaurants. Its Stockholm-based parent, Fotografiska, opened in 2010 as a haven of innovation, inclusivity, and free expression. With vaulted ceilings and skylights, Fotografiska New York will host programming for the Fotografiska member community as well as private hire. fotografiska.com

WITH NEW EYES This Spring, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will be opening exhibitions that explore movers and movements which have almost or entirely escaped modern attention. Other Points of View explores an alternative mid-century artistic scene through the lens of View Magazine, which ran from 1940-1947. It reintroduces artists from around the world who created unique and influential takes on modern art before fading into history. Uncanny Effects follows the work of photographer Robert Giard and his explorations of LGBTQ+ cultural producers of the late 20th century. leslielohman.org

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CULTURE | GAMECHANGERS

GREENWAVE Food, Fashion, and Lifestyle in the Age of Responsibility. by Dan Metz

CHILL OUT How do you reduce your carbon footprint? One way is to support Cool Effect. What started as an initiative to distribute healthier, greener cookstoves to impoverished nations, has turned into a hub of global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of regions across four continents. You can even offset your travel by using their handy calculator. 90% of donated cash goes to the program of your choice. cooleffect.org

GOING NUTS Nutmilk is taking over, but buying a giant carton of mostly water and additives is a nonstarter. JOI nutbase is a great way to enjoy vegan milk and dairy-free treats, while reducing waste. JOI stands for Just One Ingredient: nuts. Add a scoop of nutbase (almond or cashew) to water and blend to create creamy, delicious nutmilk. JOI has a subscription service and is a carbon neutral company. addjoi.com

WAKE UP CALL Influencer Emma Chamberlain is collaborating with Steeped to make coffee green (no matter how you take it). Steeped coffee comes in single-serving bags and “brews” like tea: drop the bag into hot water and let it steep. Steeped is ethically sourced and sustainably packaged. So ditch the pods, grab a coffee bag, and enjoy. chamberlaincoffee.com

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GIN-FREE Attain balance with Tonic CBD. Their products are a part of the new wave of innovative CBD formulas. Tonic offers a wide array of clean CBD, from doses to topicals to treats for your furry fam. Plus, they are local: their hemp source is Tricolla Farms, is just upstate. tonicvibes.com

GAMECHANGERS | CULTURE FIBER FRIENDLY At Guppy Friend, no environmental problem is too small. When you wash synthetic clothes, fibers break off and end up in rivers or oceans. But don’t fear—toss those clothes into a Guppy Friend laundry bag, then let it run. The bag catches all of the microfibers, and you just have to throw them out. It’s an easy win, and purchase supports the company’s education programs to help reduce waste. en.guppyfriend.com

DO GOODERS “Do Good” is Cotopaxi’s creed, and the Allpa 35L Del Dia travel pack takes it to the next level. Each colorful bag is made entirely from repurposed fabric. It shares the same design as their other Allpa travel packs, but repurposed fabric means that each bag will have its own unique design and color arrangement. ‘Unique’ has never looked so green. cotopaxi.com

AU NATUREL The fashion industry is one of the top three polluters on the planet, but Arielle is trying to change that. Their clothing line boasts the “cutting edge” of sustainability, and they have the laundry list to prove it. Fabrics are organic, recycled, and fair trade, their manufacturing is local to NYC and zero-waste and their packaging and production are plastic-free. Elegant style, and sustainable— that’s a win win. shop-arielle.com

ETRASH, ETREASURE Do you know what happens to your tech after it dies? Your chargers, cases, grips and clips go right into the trash, creating eWaste. Nimble has a better idea: they send you a bag, you fill it with your leftover or broken electronics, and send it back to them. They turn it into chargers, cases, phone stands, and more. Plus, they use bioplastics, organic hemp, and recycled aluminum. If they can’t recycle it, they dispose of it responsibly. In their first year of operation, Nimble collected more than 600 lbs of eWaste. gonimble.com THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

SHELTER | URBAN PLAN

CO-WORK An office space in Ten Grand, the commercial side of the mixed-use tower.

FOLLOWING THE SUN

In the Domino Sugar Factory complex, a new building is creating a new model for sustainability. by Dan Metz ONE SOUTH FIRST cuts an unusual figure across the Brooklyn skyline. The new mixed-use tower soars above its surroundings, overlooking Williamsburg and the East River. The center is hollow, letting more light permeate the unusual lattice of concrete and broad windows that form the facade of the building. As the sun moves across the sky, One South First’s unique design and position allows indirect light to warm and brighten the space from different angles, following the rhythm of the day with shifting light and shadow. One South First is part of the new Domino Development Project from Two Trees Management. The series of five buildings, each designed by a different architect, is growing out of Williamsburg’s Domino Sugar Factory, once a central point of industry for the neighborhood. One South First will be the second tower to reach completion--the first, 325 Kent, opened in 2017. The architects of One South First, Cook Fox, chose their space for the location. “We took this project because it is the Northernmost site and the one that meets historic Williamsburg,” said Cook Fox Director of Communications Jared Gilbert, “so the rhythm of the storefronts

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VIEW FROM THE TOP Bigger windows increase sunlight throughout the building, cutting down on the need for artificial lighting.

URBAN PLAN | SHELTER

and the pattern that you get as you walk down a street are reflected in the street-level facade of this building.” Cook Fox’s design is one of the more unique in New York City, and one of the tallest in Brooklyn. It was inspired by Domino’s sugar crystals, incorporated into the irregular regularity of the facade. The shorter leg, identifiable by its larger windows, will house Ten Grand, the commercial side of the building, while the residential tower reaches up and over until it meets the top. Inside, the apartments--ranging from studios to two-bed-two-bath--come fully furnished. Between their doors and massive windows, each apartment comes complete with a washer and dryer, as well as a beautiful spacious living and dining area. The largest units come with walk-in closets almost large enough to be their own bedroom. And the views from those windows are spectacular. On the waterfront side, taller apartments have a view of the Manhattan skyline, stretching from One World Trade Center to the Empire State Building, while lower apartments get a beautiful view from above the East River. From the apartments on the inland side, residents can see as far as Long Island on a clear enough day. Where commercial and residential meet, One South First boasts a beautiful open lounge furnished with greenery, workspaces, and comfortable seating. The fourth floor has an outdoor deck with a pool, open to residents and commercial tenants. On the third floor, a fully-furnished fitness center sits next to brainstorming rooms with whiteboard walls and conference rooms lined with chairs. “A lot of this is about connecting between the commercial and the residential spaces,” says Rebecca Epstein, Director of Residential Leasing for Two Trees, “so there are a lot of opportunities to do that.” But One South First truly shines with its focus on natural and environment-friendly features. The architecture of One South First is based

on biophilic design, a strategy to enhance our connectedness with natural systems. When we interact with nature, we experience physiological responses which increase our sense of wellbeing. For this reason, One South First’s rooftop garden and outdoor rec space are furnished with plants and greenery. It is also why the building is positioned to create natural changes in light and shadow as the sun moves across the sky.

this case, the primary source is a gas turbine. Compared to pulling energy off of the grid, often during peak hours, on-site energy generation from the turbine is nearly three times as efficient. The second form of energy, heat recapture, recycles unused energy. Excess heat from the system is usually released through a pipe leading up to the roof. At One South First, that excess heat from Ten Grand is recaptured, put

SUGAR SUGAR One South First/Ten Grand rises next to sister site 325 Kent, and the old Domino Sugar Factory.

The facade itself is an innovation of construction technology: it is the first large-scale project to use 3D-printed pour molds for their concrete. Cook Fox worked with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Gate Precast, and Precast Concrete Institute, to create 3D-printed molds which can be used a factor of 10-20 times more than previous plywood molds, saving time, energy, and resources. And then there is the cutting-edge energysaving technology: cogeneration, or cogen, the sequential generation of two different forms of energy from a single primary source. In

through a heat exchanger, and used to heat water in the residential areas of the building, feeding dishwashers and hot water pumps. The final numbers on saved energy won’t be in until the building has been fully occupied for a year, but CookFox is confident in its reduced carbon footprint and energy usage. “Every project that we take on, we’re always trying to find unique opportunities to improve the performance of the building,” says Gilbert, “I think that good, smart tenants are looking for buildings that are as good and smart as they are.” tengrandstreet.com DT THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

THE GOODS | SHELTER NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL Eskayel fabrics are made from Libeco Lagae 100 percent Belgian linen, which is harvested and manufactured under stringent agricultural standards, and is completely carbon neutral. The fabrics can also be ordered with paper backing to be used on walls. Portico fabric is adapted from a large-scale painting and is printed to order. eskayel.com

THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS Bring the natural world home.

ABSTRACTION Sculptor Vanessa Mitrani’s fanciful creations are made from blown glass and bronze, and come in a range of figures including this horned creature. roche-bobois.com

ANIMALIA Designer Matthew Williamson designed a collection of wallpapers for Osborne & Little that includes exuberant florals and feathered and furry friends. Tiger Grove (left), brings the jungle home, with roaming tigers, parrots, and monkeys in a lush background of palms and orange trees. osborneandlittle.com

WATER COLOR Palisades by Aronson’s Floor Covering, is part of the Empire collection and is inspired by the view of Hudson River as it flows past the Palisades cliff on the New Jersey side of the river. The 100 percent Tencel rugs are hand-tufted and sustainable. Tencel is created from wood fibers and is suitable for both residential and commercial environments. empirecollectionrugs.com

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THE GOODS | SHELTER EQUESTRIAN STYLE Equally at home in traditional and modern schemes, Schumacher’s chic, graphic pattern adds horsey flair to any room. Handsome and sophisticated, it is available in both fabric and wallpaper, and comes in blue (right), orange, and brown. fschumacher.com

ROCK ON South African textile designer Ronel Jordaan creates organic forms inspired by nature, from felted Merino wool. She uses materials that are all eco-friendly and crueltyfree. Jasper Gemstones mimic the faceted surfaces of cut gems. roneljordaan.com

FIRE STARTER Empire Collection’s Lexington Ombré series include this brilliantly colored, flame red rug in 100 percent Tencel. The collection is also available in Blue Grey, Bleached Sand, and Pewter. empirecollectionrugs.com

SHELL GAME Master decoupage artist John Derian has a full cabinet of curiosities in his West Village emporium. Derian uses vintage illustrations and scientific illustrations to decorate everything from plates to trays to pillows. At left, a purple shell adorns a 4-inch plate. johnderian.com

FULL MOON The Acid Marble Table Lamp, designed by UK designer Lee Broom, is crafted from a layer of white Carrara marble sandwiched with acid yellow tinted glass, and set in a black, Nero Marquina marble base. leebroom.com

AMORPHOUS GREEN Reflections is the latest collection from French designer Patrick Naggar. The 13 designs reflect the duality of technology and the natural world. The console (above) recalls string theory, and is made from lacquer, carbon fiber, and a bronze sled base. ralphpucci.com

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SHELTER | THE GOODS

RAINBOW CONNECTION

A crayon box of colors to add punch to your decor.

PRIMARY COLORS The VOLA HV1 from Hastings Tile & Bath comes in a wide array of vibrant hues, including red, green, yellow, black, and white. hastingstilebath.com

SHINE ON With Artisan Glass Tile from Hastings Tile & Bath, adding brilliant color is easy. The collection is comprised of countertops, shower and bath panels, and mosaics, and comes in over 90 colors. hastingstilebath.com

FIT FOR A KING The Montaigne Marquise bergerĂ¨ by Roche Bobois has a solid beech frame and comes in a full range of custom fabrics, including this glamorous, geometric print. roche-bobois.com

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THE GOODS | SHELTER DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Artistic Tile’s Echo Violin Violet adds geometric style and gradeint color to baths and kitchens. The pattern also comes in grey-white London Fog, and Garden Green. artistictile.com

GREEN DREAM A gleaming geometric-tiled bath in Malta includes floor-standing Grand showers, a single Ladybower vanity in white Arabescato marble, Chessleton lights with fluted shades, and towel bars and hooks all finished in brushed brass. drummonds-uk.com

RETRO STYLE SMEG has long been known for their cheerful, brightly colored large and small appliances. Brew your morning coffee in style. smegusa.com

SEEING RED Color your kitchen appliances with Fisher & Paykel’s 36-inch Dual Fuel Range in red or white (shown here), as well as black and stainless finishes. Their AeroTech system circulates air evenly throughout the entire oven so dishes on the top shelf turn out just as perfect as food cooking on the bottom shelf. fisherpaykel.com

PSYCHEDELIC The Chroma floor lamp, designed by Arturo Erbsman, is composed of transparent sheets of thermoplastic polymer and a lacquered steel base. roche-bobois.com

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LITTLE APPLE | BARCLAY'S SPOT

BEST FRIENDS Downtown’s Pawblisher, Barclay Hudson, gets the 411 from so cool canines. by Dan Metz IT IS A NEW YEAR and spring is already on its way. With the turn of the decade, we get another big milestone this spring: it’s the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day. I don’t want to think about how old Earth Day is in dog years! I interviewed some pups who love the environment about their passions and plans for the new year. BUBBA loves playing pranks, but also hanging out at photoshoots with his pawpa Jason Goodrich, a photographer. BENJI is an aspiring dancer who loves to keep his mama, Downtown’s own Aida M. Toro, company while she writes. MAX, a great outdoorsdog, loves to explore, taking pawpa Mark Butler with him through Central Park and Upstate New York. When GUSTAVO (GUS) gets outside, he loves to relax with mom Thema Emanuel and smell the flowers before going home for some cheese and a bit of DogTV. FERDINAND likes to sit back and smell the flowers with mom Kate O’Brien, a buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue, and dad John O’Brien, who is a portfolio manager at Crestline Investors. DT

BENJI “I love salsa music. My mommy and grandparents pick me up to dance because I could dance on my two hind legs like a human.”

Follow my adventures on Instagram, @downtownbarclay

BUBBA

MAX

GUSTAVO (GUS)

FERDINAND

“My favorite game is barking at the door when no one is there. My pawpa looks every time; it must be his favorite game too.”

“My new year’s resolution is to get my pawrents to take me on vacation with them, instead of staying behind.”

“I’m trying to be more active this year, but my mom and I still unplug every weekend and spend quality time together.”

“When the weekend hits, I like to kick back and relax with my pawrents, or treat myself to a shopping spree at Tribeca’s best pet stores.”

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BARCLAY'S SPOT | LITTLE APPLE

REMAINS OF THE DAY Say goodbye to plastic baggie pickup. Doggy Do Good now offers Premium Pet Waste Bags which are biodegradable and compostable. Waiting for your dog to go might feel like it takes 20 years sometimes, but that is no reason for your waste bag to last that long. When your job is to make sure that you don’t leave anything behind on a walk, Doggy Do Good’s bags break down in just 90 days. doggydogood.com

HEMPATHY You should never have to choose between your planet and playing with your best friend. The Eco-Fetcher by Honest Pet Products is a durable, hemp frisbee as tough as your dog. Throw it, roll it, or tug of war--and never think of plastic toys again. honestpetproducts.com

GREENPAW The Ecoweave Front Lead Harness-Red Tri-Style by Cycle Dog is made from post-consumer plastic water bottles. It comes with two leash attach points: a no-pull front attach and a center attach. Stylish and pup-friendly, the harness comes in three sizes with a quickrelease buckle for safety and a bottle opener to make every walk a relaxing one. cycledog.com

SLEEP EASY Breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to the Waterproof Barrier Layout Dog Bed by Cycle Dog. These eco-friendly beds are antibacterialtreated, anti-mite-treated, machine washable, 3-layer waterproof coated, and use recycled filling made from recycled plastic water bottles. cycledog.com

HERB LIFE Kat Donatello has spent over 15 years as an athlete and business leader in the endurance sports industry. In 2014, in her Maine kitchen, she started baking CBD biscuits for her senior dog, Brady. Austin and Kat carries a full line of biscuits and oils to help with everything from anxiety to senior pet issues. austinandkat.com THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LO-TEK DESIGN BY RADICAL INDIGENISM BY JULIA WATSON, REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION BY TASCHEN.

This architectural collection features extensive vegetation, resource circulation, and community space to create social, ecological, and economic sustainabilty. Its special features range from greywater systems to passive heating, while add-ons are built with ideas of portability and adaptability in mind.

FUTURE NEW YORK Rising waters, escalating temperatures, and growing populations are particularly challenging in urban centers, where vertical living is the norm, and nature has long been an afterthought. We imagined a future New York where green is the word, in the streets, on the rooftops, in the sky, and on the waterways. Photography: Andrew Matusik Stylist: Laurean Ossorio

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ON KATE: Cape by Celestino Couture; Earrings by Deepa Gurnani. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles.

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“There’s a river somewhere that flows through the lives of everyone.”— Roberta Flack A pavilion, designed by Dutch architects Delta Sync and PublicDomain architects, is a community of floating houses. The translucent shelter relies on solar energy, and its structure is made of anti-corrosive plastic ETFE, which is 100 times lighter than glass and therefore ideal for a floating structure.

ON LANDON: Hoodie, Shirt, Jeans by Todd Shelton; Espadrilles by Giuseppe Zanotti; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear. Scooter by Levy Electric Scooters.

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This community building can function

This building top features communal green balconies watered by a central greywater system. The rooftop features a community garden using portable agriculture stands and agricultural bins.

both as a structural additive as well as a stand-alone edifice. Its interior provides the opportunity for communal shelter, while the roof is sloped for rainwater collection.

ON FRANCIS: Shirt and pants by Celestino Couture; Boots by Aera. ON LUSHIAN: Jacket and skirt by Lou de Bétoly; Blouse by Celestino Couture; Shoes by Ruthie Davis; Necklace and cuffs by Deepa Gurnani. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles.

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ON LUSHIAN: Blouse, pants by Flor Et Al; Choker, rings by Soko; Boots by Ruthie Davis. ON FRANCIS: Windbreaker, joggers by Icebreaker; Hightops by Allbirds; Backpack by Manhattan Portage. Scooter by Revel; Skateboard by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

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This building top has windows on all four sides outlined in vegetation, and is crowned by a large rooftop gathering area surrounded by greenery. All vegetation is watered by a central greywater system.

ON KATE: Dress by Flor Et Al; Bag by Behno; Earrings by Deepa Gurnani; Ring by Jill Herlands.

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ON LANDON: Sweater, goggles by Z Zegna; Pants by Todd Shelton; Boots by Giuseppe Zanotti. Scooter by Levy Electric Scooters.

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“What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”—Henry David Thoreau

ON LUSHIAN: Blouse, pants by Celestino Couture; Boots by Ruthie Davis. ON KATE: Sleeveless trench coat, blouse, pants by Amur; Boots by Alterre; Earrings, belt, cuffs by Deepa Gurnani. Skateboards by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

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“The nation behaves well if it treats its natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.” —Theodore Roosevelt

ON KATE: Sleeveless trench coat, blouse, pants by Amur; Boots by Alterre; Earrings, belt, cuffs by Deepa Gurnani.

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This rooftop gathering space features windows lined with natural vegetation maintained by a central greywater system.

This community fountain has circular seating centered around a pond, and it functions as space for community gathering and waterfront relaxation. Portable agriculture pots can accentuate the area by providing easy-to-maintain greenery.

ON NICK: Parka, shorts, boots by Z Zegna; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear. Cannondale Treadwell bike by Echelon Cycles.

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Pots with curved edges create easy-to-maintain greenery that can be placed in any setting. With an opening that slims into a small bottom spout, pots can additionally be applied to greywater systems, soil plots, or water bodies.

ON FRANCIS: Windbreaker and joggers by Icebreaker; High tops by Allbirds; Backpack by Manhattan Portage. Skateboard by Uncle Funky’s Boards.

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ON FRANCIS: Parka by Arielle; Hoodie and pants by None Studio; Boots by Z Zegna. EBike by Wing Bikes.

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These towers allow for portable agriculture with sides sloped to facilitate rainwater and plant boxes oriented to allow for equal distribution of running water. Sides may be collapsed together to create a piece that is flat-pack.

ON LUSHIAN: Jacket by Celestino Couture; Dress by Arielle; Belt by Deepa Gurnani; Rings by Jill Herlands; Sneakers by Ruthie Davis. Scooter by Levy Electric Scooters.

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A facade covered by diagonally-rising plant boxes transforms ecology into an art form, while the three other walls featuring inset windows provide ample natural lighting. Vegetation may be watered by a central greywater system.

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ON KATE: Sweater, skirt by RedValentino; Mules by Alterre; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear; Earrings by Futura; Bag by Behno. ON LANDON: Turtlenexk by Celestino Couture, Jeans by Todd Shelton; Boots by Giuseppe Zanotti; Sunglasses by Portrait Eyewear; Scooter by Revel

. Hair by David Cotteblanche for The One by Fekkai and Nicole Cyrese, Hair Jewels by Nicole Cyrese; Makeup by Agata Helena; Models: Kate, Landon, Nick, Lushian, Francis, Q Models. Photography by Andrew Matusik, Matusikart.com Image Compositing by Andrew Matusik Sustainability Designer: Noemi Florea Architecture Consultant: Luke Hellkamp All production on location in Studio 333 Park Ave, NYC

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WILD HORSES are a treasure on America’s public lands, and are symbols of human development in the new world, as well as stewards of the natural world.

RUN WILD

Run Free

America’s native horses are trapped between commercial industries that see them as vermin, and vast government bureaucracy. The Cana Foundation is fighting to set them free. By: Deborah L. Martin Photography: Laura Leigh, Wild Horse Education

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IF YOU ASK THE AVERAGE PERSON on the street to name an animal that symbolizes our most American ideas of freedom and democracy, it’s a good bet that many will name the horse. Images of Equus caballus thundering across the Great Plains, pulling the wagon trains that allowed our European forefathers to settle the West, and leading us into battle are all ingrained into the national psyche. Romantic, albeit colonialist, images of buckskin-clad Indians astride spotted Appaloosas are the subject of countless early American paintings, poems, and stories. Hollywood westerns were so reliant on the symbolism of the horse that they were called “horse operas.” Some of the most famous paintings of George Washington depict him with Blueskin, a large grey stallion. He is said to have preferred to ride his other horse, Nelson, a chestnut gelding, into battle because Nelson was calm even while surrounded by cannon fire. Both horses were retired to Mount Vernon after the war and lived out their lives as celebrities. General Robert E. Lee’s horse, Traveller, was so loved that he is entombed in the family plot in Lee Chapel on the campus of Washington and Lee University. We don’t just like horses in this country, we revere them. Our entire American mythology is built on the glorification of the earliest settlers who struck out across the vast frontier of a new continent. The horse is featured so prominently in this mythology because none of it would have been possible without its broad back, long legs, and flowing mane. The horse is as American as, well, America itself. In 1971 the Nixon administration believed so strongly that wild horses should be protected that they passed the Wild FreeRoaming Horses and Burros Act, which reads, in part, “Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene. It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros

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“Although it had the misfortune to disappear from the New World 10,000 years ago, the horse is a North American native species by any reasonable biological standard.” —Dr. Ross MacPhee, Ph.D, American Museum of Natural History

WILD HORSES thunder down a mountain during a winter round-up in Nevada. Opposite: In Onaqui, Utah, a mare and colt enjoy a warm autumn day with their family band.

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shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.” In spite of this, approximately $110 million American tax dollars are spent per year to round up wild horses and sterilize or euthanize them. Though the 1971 act protects these animals, there are serious loopholes in the law. Manda Kalimian created the Cana Foundation to save American wild horses from harm. “Horses and humans have a natural affinity. They represent the best of us, and their cultural and natural importance cannot be overstated.” Kalimian believes in the spirit of “rewilding,” a concept that started in Europe about 75 years ago. “We have forgotten our connection to the natural world. Rewilding is about rediscovering our inner wild places as well as preserving the wild places here in America and in the world.” The Cana Foundation is working with scientific and political leaders to bring this message to a larger audience. Former New York Congressman Steve Israel is now the Director of the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University, and he was instrumental

MANDA KALIMIAN created the Cana Foundation to save America’s wild horses for the health of the planet and for future generations to appreciate. At her Rewilding Center in Syosset, New York, she cares for abandoned horses and fights to help this most American of species. Photograph by Ejaz Khan

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in getting language added to the 2020 House appropriations budget. “Manda came to me as a constituent and educated me on an issue that most members of Congress are completely unaware of, and that is rewilding. I didn’t know, and I would venture to guess that a majority of my colleagues didn’t know that millions of tax payer dollars are used to round up wild horses and put them in horribly inhumane holding pens. She educated us on a very sensible and cost-effective alternative, which is to simply allow for the release of these wild horses from the holding pens and return them to their native land.” While the bill doesn’t appropriate any funds towards rewilding, it is the first time the term appears in legislation. Says Israel, “The first step was to get this language into the bill because the first part of the problem is that people don’t understand the concept of rewilding or its importance as it relates to the horse. The second problem was while people may not object to releasing the horses, they don’t know where the horses will go. There are property owners who would love to take them but don’t know how to get them. This language gets all the stakeholders to the table to come up with a solution. Our immediate imperative is to

get the horses out of the pens and adopted as quickly as possible.” Kalimian also works closely with Dr. Ross MacPhee, curator of the department of mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Today, North American horses, both wild and domesticated, are labelled non-native, allowing the argument to be made that they should not be protected. Much of this argument is being made by those in service to the cattle and oil industries, who would prefer not to have to worry about a protected species in their pursuit of land for herds of cattle or pipelines. To understand this we have to travel back to the end of the last ice age, 10,000 years ago. Says Dr. MacPhee, “Equus caballus is merely the domesticated version of a species that has been around for the better part of 2 million years. Ancient DNA shows that populations of this species on either side of Beringia were still exchanging genes as recently as the end of the last ice age. Although it had the misfortune to disappear from the New World 10,000 years ago, the horse is a North American native species by any reasonable biological standard.” In other words, though there is a relatively short period of time where the ancestors of

our modern horse disappeared from the continent for unknown reasons, today’s horse is very definitely related to the horse species that evolved on this continent, millions of years ago. Says MacPhee, “Up until the most recent geological epoch there were always horses of one sort or another in North America. When the Bering Land Bridge was completed the ancient horse traveled into Asia and back, and eventually, when the Isthmus of Panama was completed, they got down into South America.” MacPhee says that the animals that came here with the Spanish explorers in the 1400’s bear the same DNA as their wild ancestors, with some variations for size and breed. “You can compare this to the domestic dog, as an example,” says MacPhee. “Dogs have been selectively bred by humans for as long as 30,000 years. Domestic breeds were invented through selective breeding but even today, wolves, dogs, and coyotes can interbreed. So scientists no longer consider dogs and wolves to be separate species, because the differences are so trivial. They are all Canis Lupus. Similarly with horses, the domestic version is not different from the ancient, wild version of the species. They are all related and therefore native to this continent where they originally developed.” In addition to its cultural importance in the Americas, the horse is a keystone species, and is critical to maintaining the health of our wild grasslands. One argument against wild horses is that they destroy the environment, but Dr. MacPhee says that the evidence does not support this. “These grasslands existed for millions of years prior to the arrival of people. And it was because of the large herding ungulates, primarily horses, chomping away on the grasses, defecating everywhere, that other species were able to persist through good years and bad. They are landscape artists just like elephants are in Africa. They create habitat for other species.” He continues, “We have to fight the idea, promoted by the people who are running cattle on BLM land, that cows are not distructive, but horses are.” The difference between the way horses and cows graze is an important distinction. Cows lack incisors so in order to graze they twist their tongues around clumps of grass and rip up the plants. Horses have sharp incisors that effectively clip grass, leaving the root of the plant intact. Their grazing and roaming habits preserve grass cover, prevent soil erosion, and maintain biodiversity. Horses also have less aggressive digestive systems. The plant matter they consume isn’t broken down as much as in cattle stomachs, therefore their manure contains seeds that will be dispersed, and has a higher nitrogen content which aids in fertilizing the soil. What’s next? Cana’s mission is to come up with a solution of creating wild places for the horses to thrive. To that end, they have created a Land Bank for donated land. Donors will receive a tax credit, and the organization will use the land for rewilding initiatives. Says Kalimian, “Our ask of the public is this: to donate and conserve lands; to vote for representatives that will support environmental initiatives and wild horses; to write to elected officials to tell them that rewilding native, wild horses is an environmental opportunity to save our lands; and to consider that every day everything that we do matters. If we all change at least one thing that matters environmentally we have a chance to save tomorrow.” canafoundation.org DT

TOP AND BOTTOM: THE KITCHEN’S clean-lined appeal is enhanced by pops of geometric forms, most notably in the eye-catching kitchen island. Everything in the home has a connection to the outdoors—in the master bath, a spalike Duravit bath with views towards the backyard and dock inspires relaxation. Right: The architectural nature of the staircase and the enticing simplicity of the entryway vignette form a captivating scene.

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On the second floor deck, Turett went for comfort and style, adding multiple pieces from West Elm’s outdoor Portside collection and a classic Adirondack Rocker by Loll Designs from Design Within Reach. OPPOSITE: An aluminum standing seam roof—which forms a barrier to the elements—sits over an inviting grey cedar shiplap and cement panel exterior.

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Haute Haus

Architect Wayne Turett, principal of Turett Collaborative, applies a passion for the Passive House movement to his own home in Greenport, New York. Photography: Liz Glasgow Studios Architecture: Turett Collaborative By: Nicole Haddad

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The open-plan living areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bright and airy feel exemplifies the beauty of a natural color palette set against ample views of nature. A motorized dampered exhaust duct in the kitchen prevents loss of heat and keeps the envelope of the home sealed to Passive House standards.

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IN 2014, ARCHITECT WAYNE TURETT took a commitment to sustainability and energy-efficient design to heart and purchased property in Greenport, New York. With the ambitious, underlying idea to one day create a contemporary Passive House for his own family, Turett let ideas percolate before making any design decisions. The actual build began in 2017 and ended in 2018, with Turett having to act as his own construction manager to achieve the strict standards for passive energy efficiency that a Passive House calls for. Today, the approximately 2,400-square-feet, three-bedroom, three-bath, all-electric modern abode features an attractive, grey cedar shiplap and cement panel exterior that perfectly melds into the landscape of Long Island’s North Fork. The difference, Turett explains, lies in how it was built. “I was always interested in design efficiency,” he says. “I remember the period in the 70s when the U.S. and Canada experienced a soaring energy crisis, it really grabbed my attention. The Passive House movement’s origins can be traced back to then, as architects began to become more conscious and energy efficient.” Design elements such as orienting homes for maximum sun in the winter and shade in the summer, eliminating thermal bridges, and most importantly, focusing on proper insulation, became commonplace. By the 80s, when the energy crisis had abated, the movement had essentially died in the United States. Germany picked it up and gave it the name PassiveHaus (Passive House in the U.S.), quantifying it and creating a more clear yet rigorous path to achieving energy-efficient passive cooling and heating systems that optimize comfort. “Living sustainably does in no manner equal giving up on style,” says Turett. A statement that’s obvious in what the architect describes as his “upside down home,” where all the bedrooms are located on the ground floor and the second floor is home to the main living spaces—kitchen, dining room, living room, and deck. Turett intentionally

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designed the home this way, to not only take advantage of the gorgeous water views but to allow for the expansive cathedral ceilings that instill an open and airy feel into the space. In the interiors, Turett kept a clean and fresh vibe, using a beautiful white shade from Benjamin Moore on the walls and striking, heart pine wood flooring with a white Woca oil finish throughout. Upstairs, in the dining area, Brett Miller of Jack Rabbit Studio built the Turett Collaborative-designed spruce wood dining table and bench, above which hangs a linear pendant light. Nearby, a Valcucine kitchen island from Dom Interiors adds interest while the living room’s seaside feel is enhanced by artwork by Dena Zemsky. Floor-to-ceiling windows let the outside in while also tightly sealing the home to create the extra tight air barrier required—triple-glazed Bildau & Bussmann windows from Eco Supply do the trick. A gorgeous deck with gray Adirondack Rockers and outdoor furniture allows for moments of relaxation and convivial entertaining. Downstairs, where all of the bedrooms are situated, a stunning staircase in the entryway

offers an intriguing focal point. “Staircases in our projects tend to be really sculptural,” says Turett of what he terms the ‘upside down stair.’ “We try to make them as interesting as possible.” In this case, the winding staircase not only outlines the form of the stairs but offers views of the outdoors both on the way up and on the way down through two strategically placed windows. Underneath the stairs, a simple vignette is outfitted with an eye-catching maple console, a Noguchi pendant light, and a photograph by Cory Silken. In the bedrooms, Turett went with soothing, neutral palettes accented with pops of color. The bathrooms incorporate organic, clean-lined shapes that recall nature, with the master bath featuring a zen-like rock-covered trough and a luxurious Duravit bathtub looking out towards nature. The utter charm of the home, which is just a step or two away from certification as a Passive House, belies all the hard work Turett has put in to showcase what is essentially a living model of the movement. The undiscerning eye will miss incredible construction feats such as how intensely Turett worked to completely seal down the envelope of the house to rigid standards and to insulate both the inside and outside of the air barrier to ensure a much higher R value—or resistance to heat flow—than required. In addition, Turett heats and cools the home with a variable refrigerant flow heat pump system aided by an energy recovery ventilation, or ERV, which infuses the home with superior air quality and allows it to operate with very little energy for heating or cooling. While homeowners might be hesitant to invest a bit more in the short term, according to the Passive House Institute, these dwellings allow for energy savings of over 75 percent compared to average new builds—more than making up the difference over time. With his Greenport home, Turett effectively dispells the notion that sustainability is cost prohibitive, and he showcases just how chic sustainable design can be. DT

OPPOSITE TOP: The kitchen’s clean-lined appeal is enhanced by geometric forms, most notably in the eye-catching kitchen island. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Everything in the home has a connection to the outdoors—in the master bath, a spa-like Duravit bath with views towards the backyard and dock inspires relaxation. THIS PAGE: The architectural nature of the staircase and the enticing simplicity of the entryway vignette form a captivating scene.

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Living amongst the highest mountains in the Philippines, and calling themselves ‘sky-people,’ the lfugao are masters of terracing. Developed over two thousand years ago, in the land-locked Cordillera Mountain Range on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, the lfugao’s terraces on the steep slopes are considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. The terraces, known in Filipino as palayan, filter and purify rainwater from tropical pine forests at the top of the mountains, for both the small villages in the Cordilleras and for the major cities downstream, eventually dispersing it through grasslands towards the ocean. The forests capping each terrace cluster are known as muyong and contain over two hundred and fifty indigenous plant species. The lfugao’s palayan serve as an innovative model of terraformiog that irrigates, purifies, and provides a platform for community-driven ecological rice farming.

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TEK REPORT

In Lo-Tek Design by Radical Indigenism, Julia Watson makes the case for sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure inspired by indigenous philosophy and vernacular architecture.

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One of the world’s most innovative examples of an indigenous infrastructure are the living root bridges and living root ladders of the Khasi tribe of Northern India. The Khasis are an indigenous hill tribe from the state of Meghalaya, which translates to ‘above of, in the clouds.’ Their forested lands overlook the plains of Bangladesh and are in a monsoonal rain shadow with the highest levels of precipitation found on earth. During the monsoon, travel between villages is cut off by floodwaters that transform the landscape from a thick canopy to isolated forest islands. The Khasi have developed the only bridges able to withstand the force of the monsoonal rains. First documented by a young Scotsman named Henry Yule in 1841, these constructions are living bridges and ladders, created by guiding growing trees across the riverine corridors of the Jaintis Hills region.

From Lo-Tek Design by Radical Indigenism, by Julia Watson. Taschen, 2019. FROM THE GREEK MYTHOS, meaning story-of-the-people, mythology: has guided mankind for millennia. Three hundred years ago, intellectuals of the European Enlightenment constructed a mythology of technology. Influenced by a confluence of humanism, colonialism, and racism, the mythology ignored local wisdom and indigenous innovation, deeming it primitive. Guiding this was a perception of technology that feasted on the felling of forests and extraction of resources. The mythology that powered the Age of Industrialization distanced itself from natural systems, favoring fuel by fire. Today, the legacy of this mythology haunts us. Progress at the expense of the planet birthed the epoch of the Anthropocene, our current geological period characterized by the undeniable impact of humans upon the environment at the scale of the Earth. Charles Darwin, scholar and naturalist who is seen as the father of evolutionary theory, said “extinction happens slowly,” yet sixty percent of the world’s biodiversity has vanished in the past forty years. Coming to terms with an uncertain future and confronted by climate events that cannot be predicted, species extinctions that cannot be arrested, and ecosystem

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Las Islas Flotantes Is an Island system Inhabited by the Uros, a civilization older than the Incas in Peru. Individual islands are inhablted by up to twelve families. The Uros build their entire civilization from the locally grown totora reed.

A line of evenly spaced.spoil craters snake along the surface of the desert from the high Elburz Mountains to the Plains of Iraq. They are the only evidence of an invisible, subterranean manmade stream called a qanat, which will appear kilometers away in a fanned oasis of agricultural land that seems alien to the arid, alluvial plain. Qanats are meticulously designed tunnels and channels, constructed first by the Persians during the early years of the first millennium BCE. They sourced, directed, and transported underground water from the mountains of presentday Iran to Tehran. Qanat tunnels are hand-dug up to several kilometers long, with vertical shafts, sunk at intervals of twenty to thirty meters, to remove excavated material and provide ventilation and access for repairs. A main qanat tunnel slopes gently down from deep within a mountainside through villages to eventually distribute irrigation water to fields and beyond. This ancient innovation allowed Persian farmers to succeed despite long, dry periods when surface water was unavailable.

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At the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, relics of a unique water-based civilization remain. Known as Iraq’s Garden of Eden and the Mesopotamian Venice, this rare aquatic environment, existing oddly in a desert, has great religious significance; it is believed to be the site of the biblical Garden of Eden, referenced in the Bible and the Koran, the site of the Great Flood, and the birthplace of Abraham. Home to Marsh Arabs and diverse wildlife, Iraq’s southern marshes are by far the Middle East’s most ecologically, culturally, and spiritually important wetland. The semi-nomadic Marsh Arabs, ‘Adan’ or Ma’dan, meaning ‘dweller in the plains’ have continuously inhabited this land for six thousand years. Today, the Ma’dan and their ancient building techniques have all but disappeared, as political turmoil and water insecurity permeate the Middle-East region.

failures that cannot be stopped, humanity is tasked with developing solutions to protect the wilderness that remains, and transform the civilizations we construct. While we a re drowning in this Age of Information, we are starving for wisdom. Only a sliver of the technologies that existed at the time of the Enlightenment were valued and shepherded through to the present. Meanwhile, an alternative mythology of technology has been with us since well before the Enlightenment. It is unacknowledged, existing at the far ends of the Earth, with its contributors deemed primitive for centuries. While ‘modern’ societies were trying to conquer Nature in the name of progress, these indigenous cultures were working with it. Indigenous technologies are not lost or forgotten, only hidden by the shadow of progress in the remotest places on earth. While society values and preserves the architectural artifacts of dead cultures, like the four thousand-year-old Pyramids of Giza, those of the living are displaced, like the six-thousand-year-old floating island technology of the Ma’dan in the southern wetlands of Iraq. Extending the grounds of typical design, Lo-TEK is a movement that investigates lesser-known local technologies, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), indigenous cultural practices, and mythologies passed down as songs or stories. In contrast to the homogeneity of the modern world, indigeneity is reframed as an evolutionary extension of life in symbiosis with nature. Continuing the conversation on vernacular architecture as popularized in Bernard Rudofsky’s Architecture Without Architects exhibition at MoMA in 1967, Lo-TEK explores the intersection of design and radical indigenism. Coined by Princeton Professor and citizen of the Cherokee Nation Eva Marie Garoutte, radical indigenism argues for a rebuilding of knowledge and explores indigenous philosophies

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capable of generating new dialogues. The concept of radical indigenism takes its name from the Latin derivation of the word radical: radix, meaning root. Design by radical indigenism imagines a movement that rebuilds an understanding of indigenous philosophies in relation to design to generate sustainable and climate resilient infrastructures. This Lo-TEK movement filIs a void at the intersection of innovation, architecture, urbanism, conservation, and indigenism. Once hybridized and scaled, these indigenous technologies could offer a new path to exponentially shrink the ecological footprint of humankind and mitigate the forecast collapse. Lo-TEK orients us towards a different mythology of technology. One that evolves humanism with radical indigenism. This mythology is told in a compendium of over one hundred indigenous innovations from four ecosystems across the globe: mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands. Ranging in elevation from five meters to three thousand eight hundred and fifty meters, a nexus of peoples, places, and practices are explored at a material, modular, structural, and systemic scale. In the Mountains section, the technology of the Inca of Peru, the Khasis of Northern India, the lfugao of the Philippines, and the Subak of Bali are examined. In Forests, the innovations of the Maya of Mexico, the Chagga of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Malayali of India, the Enawenê-nawê, and the Kayapó of the Amazon Basin in Brazil are analyzed. In Deserts, innovations from the Zuni of New Mexico, the Maasai of Kenya, the Persians of Iran, and the Ngisonyaka Turkana of Kenya are profiled. In Wetlands, the innovations of the Uros of Peru, the Ma’dan of the Southern Wetlands of Iraq, the Bengalese of the Eastern Kolkata Wetlands of India, the Tofinu of Benin, and the Javanese of Indonesia, are explored. DT

Julia watson Harvard and Columbia University, Urban Design Critic Center for Resilient Cities, Faculty Affiliate

LO-TEK DESIGN BY RADICAL INDIGENISM, BY JULIA WATSON, IS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION OF TASCHEN.

A powerful example of indigenous innovation can be seen in the city of Ganvie, settled by the Tofinu tribe. The Tofinu constructed a watery city in a lake built upon artificial aquaculture pens, at a scale and level of productivity that rivals advanced commercial scale systems. A flight over Lake Nokoue in Southern Benin of West Africa reveals a shoreline of floating forests and frenetic cities. It is believed that four hundred years ago, the king of the Tofinu people, or the ‘men of water,’ took the form of a great egret to soar in a path over the lake’s sacred waters searching to resettle his kingdom. At the Sô River inlet several miles from any shoreline, King Abodohoue created Ganvie. Today, the city has been christened the ‘Venice of Africa’ and is one of the most unique urban lacustrine environments on earth.

Designer, academic and author, Julia is a leading expert on indigenous technologies, as seen in her monograph Lo-TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism, published by Taschen. She teaches at Harvard and Columbia while also leading an experiential, landscape, and urban design practice: Julia Watson Studio. After graduating from Harvard with the highest award for her work on conservation and spiritual landscapes, she has been widely published and co-authored the Spiritual Guide to Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage with Dr. J. Stephen Lansing. Julia approaches design as a “rewilding,” with a portfolio of projects including the Reef Resilience Initiative with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, private estates with the owners of PACE Galleries, and the artist Rashid Johnson. She is a fellow of Summit REALITY & Pop!tech, received a Christensen Fund for her work in conserving Bali’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, and was a Disruptive By Design Ambassador for WIRED. Born in Australia, she regularly goes walkabout to connect with sacred sites and indigenous cultures across the globe.

LO-TEK DESIGN BY RADICAL INDIGENISM explores examples of indigenous innovation that has existed for thousands of years without the aid of modern technology.

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ESCAPE

SEA CREATURES An adventure on Florida’s Sports Coast brings one traveler closer to nature. by Grace A. Capobianco

The American Flag Stilt House at sunset.

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ESCAPE WE HAD JUST FINISHED DINNER when the storm came over the horizon. We were in the middle of nowhere—not on a boat, but a wooden stilt house, standing alone in the Gulf off the coast of Florida. It is one of the oldest houses on the water, built so that the fisherman can stay out on the water scalloping overnight. That morning, we had scalloped the water around the American Flag Stilt House, snorkeling along the Gulf of Mexico and picking out shells where they had settled along the ocean floor. The stilt house's owners, the Lake family, invited us over to cook and eat our catch, with the help of Chef Ben of Benedetto's restaurant. The stilt house is an historic landmark along Florida's 'Sports Coast,'

the coastline off the shore of Pasco in Pasco County. The natural beauty of that coastline has attracted lovers of water sports, who fish, sail, kayak, and jet ski along those waters. Instead of beach and pool-side lounging, the Sports Coast offers visitors opportunities to engage with the county's natural beauty and spirit of adventure. And there was plenty to do when we weren't exploring nature. Pasco boasts a hopping local brewery scene, shopping, delicious cuisine, and even a hidden speakeasy. The area has enough creature comforts to enjoy your vacation in style, but not enough to forget why you are there. The scalloping was the highlight of the trip. Every summer, visitors can dive into the shallows of the gulf and pick scallops off of the ocean floor. We dove in with mesh bags and snorkels and picked our dinner—fresh from the ocean to our plates. There is nothing like the feeling of being connected to nature and local history. Stilt houses are a window to the past: wooden structures with no electricity and no plumbing (though they do have outhouses). American Flag Stilt House, where we stood watching the storm on the horizon, is one of eight still standing on the coast. The unusual structures have existed for longer than Pasco County, with records going back to the 1880s. They were popular for fishing, storage, and waiting out the storms which rock the coast. American Flag Stilt House has our country's flags painted on its north and south walls. We were inside this piece of history when we saw the storm. As it came toward us, we sat down with the Lakes and with Chef Ben, and sang and played guitars surrounded by nature. Watching the storm roll across the water, with dramatic lightning arching across the clouds, we got to see the natural, wild beauty of the sports coast in the same way that Pasco's inhabitants would have almost 150 years ago. DT

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DELAWARE RENAISSANCE The famed Hotel Du Pont and the gems of the Brandywine Valley make for a perfect weekend getaway by Nicole Haddad FROM SNOWFLAKE-LADEN winter getaways to spring-inspired weekend jaunts, there are endless options to escape the concrete jungle New York City dwellers call home. And as the temperature heats up and work life slows down, the need to escape becomes priority one. Enter Wilmington, Delaware, an under-theradar locale a mere hour-and-a-half away by

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train and less than two hours by car, in the midst of the beautiful Brandywine Valley. Consider the iconic Hotel Du Pont, a gilded-age architectural jewel of a hotel located in the heart of downtown Wilmington. The Brandywine Valley is home to some of the East Coast’s most beautiful nature-and-art-filled attractions such as Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, and the famed

DuPont family’s historic Nemours Estate. The hotel itself, a twelve-story, Italian Renaissancestyle structure built in 1913, features incredible architectural craftsmanship that has been preserved for over a century. From handcarved wood details to mesmerizing mosaic and terrazzo floors, and grandiose chandeliers imported directly from Europe, Hotel Du Pont is

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BOB LEITCH (WINTERTHUR MUSEUM). OPPOSITE PAGE: LARRY ALBEE (FOUNTAIN); HOTEL DU PONT (GOLD BALLROOM).

ESCAPE

ESCAPE Winterthur comes into bloom as spring approaches.

a glamorous escape into another era, with all of the amenities and comforts of today. With 217 ultra-comfortable guest rooms and suites boasting luxuries such as deep soaking tubs and soft-to-the-touch linens, Hotel Du Pont is all about modern comfort with a nod to history. Visitors entering the hotel are confronted with the splendor of the lobby and its ornately carved ceiling. Lovers of history and couples interested in a wedding venue often take a tour of the Gold Ballroom—a stunning addition to the hotel that was part of the 1918 expansion. The impressive entrance is framed by intricately carved twelve-foot-tall wooden doors revealing gorgeous stone details and sgraffito walls—a dwindling Italian art that originally took thirty Italian artisans more than a year to complete. Opulent rooms aside, Hotel Du Pont’s muchanticipated, and soon-to-open new French brasserie, Le Cavalier at The Green Room, speaks to the Brandywine Valley’s deeply-seated love for equestrian sport. Helmed by chef-partner Tyler Akin, the name of the restaurant took inspiration from Caesar Rodney—the President of Delaware during the Revolutionary war—whose figure is depicted on horseback in a statute overlooking the adjacent Rodney Square. The adjoining Green Room Bar offers the perfect place to unwind with pre-dinner or after-dinner drinks. Foodies can also indulge in the delectable creations by Hotel Du Pont’s decorated Executive Pastry Chef, Leah Steinberger, both at the hotel’s Bake Shop and in Spark*d Creative Pastry (an extension of the former), housed in the connected DE.CO food hall. Hotel Du Pont’s legendary history and modern conveniences make for the perfect weekend getaway, and a great base of operations to explore the beauty of the Brandywine Valley. hoteldupont.com DT

The Gold Ballroom is an opulent draw for weddings and conferences.

Longwood Gardens’ outdoor gardens mirror the beauty showcased in its Conservatory.

Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city, is not only chock-full of art galleries, live music venues, and a burgeoning downtown foodie scene, but is just miles away from some of the most lauded museums and attractions in the U.S. Two in particular, horticultural jewel Longwood Gardens, and Winterthur—known as the premier museum of American decorative arts—are some of the Brandywine Valley’s biggest draws. These, along with the Nemours Estate, are a few of the lasting gifts from the area’s famed DuPont family. Originally an arboretum, Longwood Gardens was saved from the lumber mill in 1906 by conservationist and engineer Pierre S. du Pont. Today, thanks to the philanthropic family member, Longwood Gardens is a 1,100-acre botanical paradise replete with 20 indoor gardens, 20 outdoor gardens, a four-acre Conservatory, and meadows and woodlands displaying more than 11,000 types of plants. The Gardens are also home to the most significant fountain collection in North America. Visitors from far and wide travel to view the Festival of Fountains—a gorgeous show of water, music, and sometimes fire. Not to be outdone, the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is Henry Francis du Pont’s legacy—the collector and horticulturalist opened up his home to the public almost 70 years ago. The 1,000-acre preserve features a 60-acre naturalist garden and a museum with nearly 90,000 Americana designs dating to between 1640 and 1860. Not far from Wilmington is Chadds Ford, the location of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, which holds an extensive collection of art by three generations of the Wyeth family, N.C., Andrew, and Jamie, who lived in the area, as well as the works of Howard Pyle, influential teacher at the Delaware Art Museum, and renowned painter and illustrator. THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

EN VOGUE | HAIR

LIVING COLOR

Yexael Kala, of Fabio Doti Salon, helps clients take charge of their color. by Dan Metz and Grace Capobianco photography by Jason Goodrich

BLONDE AMBITION Model Sydney Sabean with her new, dimensional hair color.

ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING ways to change up your look is to book an appointment with a colorist at your favorite salon. The options are endless—change your color completely, add highlights (or lowlights!), cover gray hair or roots, or embrace your silver locks and give them a boost. But color services can also have a dark side for the health of your hair, your schedule, and your wallet.

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

Yexael Kala, a master colorist at Fabio Doti Salon in Manhattan’s Financial District, helps his clients choose the best color services from a full menu of techniques such as dimensional or corrective color, baby lights, ombre, balayage, color melting, and so much more. Kala immigrated from Colombia to pursue his dream of becoming a master colorist and began his career at the world-renowned Carsten Aveda Institute of New York. We

spoke with him about the best way to have a sustainable and manageable way to maintain a gorgeous head of hair. “Managing your color properly is about finding balance, and not about having a high-maintenance color that makes you go to the salon once a month, every three weeks, or even every ten days,” says Kala. “The real concern should be making sure your color matches your lifestyle and your routine.”

HAIR | EN VOGUE

Kala feels it is key to have a sustainable relationship with the color of your choice and, more importantly, with your colorist. If you choose a more extreme color, you will require more maintenance to keep it fresh and healthy. A good colorist will ask questions about your lifestyle and make recommendations about how to always look your best. For example, clients often have concerns about silver or gray hair. To Kala, those natural silver streaks are part of a pattern we are blessed with after a certain age. Today, having silver hair can be a chic fashion statement. Silver, however, is also a commitment, and not just a hot trend. Kala says, “Some people look great with silver hair, and some want to cover it up.” Whatever you decide about your silver locks, it is important to discuss what it takes to maintain your choice, and to make sure it fits in with your lifestyle. Whether you choose to go silver, gold, ash, or even wildly dramatic with fashion colors such as purple, red, or green, the key will be managing your color and not allowing it to manage you. Your colorist can give you important information such as the longevity of certain tones and shades, as well as how it will work with the texture of your hair. Certain shades and treatments need to be refreshed every six to eight weeks, whereas others only require three or four visits a year. The most successful color, says Kala, should be organic and natural. Your color choice should allow you to adjust slightly as needed but still be consistent throughout the seasons. When you have a color that you love, and it isn’t stressful to maintain, it makes your salon visits a pleasure. “It is fine to have that longevity with your style and look,” says Kala, “and you can transition from season to season without affecting the integrity of the hair.” He continues, “It is important that the design, choice of color and the habits of good conditioning, repairing, and protection, match the texture and health of the hair.” Since healthier hair holds color better, it will free you from the commitment of coming to the salon more often.

Lastly, Kala stresses that maintaining your color really comes down to the relationship you have with your hair at home. Hair is made of the same components of skin and nails, which means that your hair needs as much love as you give your skin and nails. “You should have a day to care for your hair,” says Kala. “For instance, choose a good conditioning treatment to protect it and return it to its natural state and to prepare it for future services.” Keep some kind of record of your lifestyle and how your hair is affected by your environment. The technology of how color treatments are applied has evolved so much and your colorist can advise you on the latest in glazes and toners that are full of protein and collagen, two things hair needs to survive the rigors of modern life. Kala calls them filters. “Your hair will look healthier. Those filters will maintain the health of your hair as well as give your color long life and beauty.” fabiodotisalon.com DT

HAIR MASTERS Fabio Doti (left), and Yexael Kala of Fabio Doti Salon. Model Sydney Sabean wears Celestino Couture. Makeup by Christianah Watson.

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

EN VOGUE | BEAUTY

CLEAN, GREEN, AND BEAUTIFUL

Pamper yourself with these eco-friendly products that will glam your style. by Aida Toro

LIGHT BRITE Naturally clean teeth are possible with Dr. Brite Naturals Whitening Toothpaste, which is formulated with sustainable and effective plant-based ingredients that are safe to swallow and include no artificial sweeteners or colors. Dr. Brite products are created in small batches in their California headquarters, using ingredients sourced from the United States and India (neem oil), and with minimal packaging. drbrite.com

BRUSH UP Help skin achieve its best glow by invigorating the lymphatic system with The Ritual Brush by Joanna Vargas. Made from all natural materials, the brush is designed to stimulate circulation when used on dry skin before bathing. All of the beauty powerhouse’s products are packaged in FSC paper, glass, and recycled plastic, and are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. joannavargas.com

DISCO DANCING A cleansing and energizing body wash for men containing eucalyptus, aloe, and papaya, Disco Body Wash uses clean ingredients that are vegan as well as gluten, aluminum, cruelty, paraben and sulfate-free. All products come in sustainable and recyclable packaging, and through their membership program you can put your skincare routine on repeat. letsdisco.com

BODY BEAUTIFUL More than 95 percent of the ingredients in Kjaer Weis’s The Beautiful Oil come from organic, sustainable, and biodynamic sources and are certified organic by the CCBP. The oil is loaded with nutrient-rich botanicals like moringa, rosemary, and ginkgo biloba. kjaerweis.com

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

FULL BLOWN Achieve maximum volume and airy texture for fine hair with Fekkai’s Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray. These salon-quality, high-performance products also provide our planet with a deep cleanse by creating packaging from 95% recycled plastic, and they are vegan and cruelty-free, as well as free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and phthalates. fekkai.com

A HIGHER BAR Luxurious, salon-style shampoo and conditioner bars by HiBar save on packaging and shipping costs without sacrificing quality haircare. Available by subscription or single purchase, in three formulas: Moisturize, Volumize, and Maintain. HiBar arrives in plasticfree packaging, is cruelty-free, and formulated without sulfates, parabens, silicone, or phthalates. hellohibar.com

BEAUTY | EN VOGUE

VITAMIN BEAUTY All of the essential nutrients you need are included in DL.MD 13.5.1 Multivitamin, without fillers or excess ingredients. It is a liquid formulated for maximum absorption, and the Myron glass bottles that store the formula guard the product’s effectiveness. The company gives back by helping to supply essential vitamins and nutrients to children in need. thedlmd.com

STRESS LESS Filled with soothing patchouli, lavender essential oils, antioxidant rosemary, and refreshing eucalyptus, Indie Lee’s DeStress Body Wash is COSMOS-certified, which is a leading third-party global certification process. All products are packaged in glass jars or recycled plastic tubes, and use FSCcertified paper. indielee.com

SMART SCENT Delicate underarm skin can breathe a sigh of relief with Smarty Pits deoderants. Founded by Stacia Guzzo when she decided to go aluminum-free in reponse to her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, the lightly scented deoderants are powered by prebiotics which help to nourish the good bacteria living on your skin. They are also phthalate-free, paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, and crueltyfree. Smarty Pits deoderants are available in a super-strength formula as well as a sensitive skin version that is baking soda-free. smartypits.com

SHINE TIME Shampoos and conditioners from Davines OI are steeped in nourishing Roucou oil—an antioxidant-rich Amazonian plant that helps repair cell damage from UV rays--to maintain softness, shine, and volume. The company has pledged to align with the Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the UN, and compensates for their own CO2 emissions. In 2018 they eliminated the use of fossil fuels in their company headquarters in Parma, Italy. us.davines.com

REWILD YOURSELF The Naturally Considerate line of self-care products was created by Manda Kalimian, founder of the Cana Foundation. The range, which includes gentle, sustainable, naturally fragranced cleansers and moisturizers, also comes with ceremonial sage smudge sticks and instructions on how to get back to nature. Naturally Considerate products are designed to work harmoniously with each other and with nature to benefit your skin and bring out the best within your body and life. The products are free of parabens, dyes, and harsh chemicals, and are never tested on animals. They are formulated with pure, organic, and wildcrafted essential oils. These gifts from nature synergistically assist the skin’s natural desire to revive, refresh, and rejuvenate; while encouraging healing for your mind, body, and spirit. The line includes Reflection face serum (above), which is formulated with clary sage, hemp, and neroli; Running Creek face wash; Well Being body lotion; Rewild Sacred spritz face toner; Whitewater body wash; and Speak Only Love lip balm. The company’s commitment is based on reducing or eliminating their carbon footprint as much as possible to provide truly sustainable, natural skincare products. All proceeds support the efforts of Cana Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. dedicated to the conservation and protection of native wild horses. naturallyconsiderate.com

THE REFORMERS 2020 DOWNTOWNNYC

EN VOGUE | FITNESS

CAMP IT UP

Go wild with some of the best outdoor tech around. by Dan Metz THE CAMPING SEASON is just around the corner, and we are ready! Downtown’s associate editor Dan Metz road-tested some top-of-the-line gear that is lightweight, versatile, and user-friendly. Most of this equipment is backpacker-friendly, but it is also great for campsite and family camping.

Bugaboo Camper, Four Person Nesting Camp Cookset Whenever my family went camping, my dad would pack a tub full of pots, pans, plates, cups, and bowls for our family to use. When I go camping, I take the Bugaboo Camper, which uses nesting technology to fit all of that gear into a 9”x9”x5.8” container. The Bugaboo Camper gear is easy to use, easy to clean and is backpacker-friendly with a total weight under 4 lbs. gsioutdoors.com MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 Inflatable Solar Light Simple but super cool. Leave this outside during the daytime, and use it to charge your phone, GPS, or whatever other small electronic devices you have. When the sun is setting, hang it in your tent for a full night’s worth of light. If you’re traveling during the day, you can deflate it and strap the light to your backpack so it can charge on the go. mpowerd.com

Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Backpacking Tent My partner nicknamed this the “impossible tent.” If you are hiking to your campsite, or if space in your car is a premium, this is a perfect 1-2 person tent. It weighs next to nothing (3.8 lbs) and rolls up to the size of a log of firewood. It is easy to set up, deceptively big on the inside and kept us warm all through the night. msrgear. com Headlamps: Black Diamond We used these headlamps when we set up our campsite in the dark. We used them whenever we walked away from the fire, and when we had to clean up camp before we went to sleep. When we got home, we used them to pack everything into the backs of our closets, and we still use them several times a week when we are home. blackdiamondequipment.com Primus Tupike Stove This grill was our luxury splurge item. It is heavier than the others, including the tent. You could strap it to your back and go hiking with it if you really wanted, but it is perfect for a casual campsite setting. primus.us Breadcrumb Bluetooth Location Marker Whether you are through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, or just a giant amusement park, Breadcrumb is the perfect piece of tracking tech. This little Bluetooth GPS connects to a phone app. Give access to friends and family, and they can track your location on any hike, with a battery that lasts up to six months. Give it to your kid at Six Flags, and you can keep track of them anywhere in the park. Put it on your luggage, and you always know if it made your connection. breadcrumbtech.com DT

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

QUICK ESCAPES, FOR WHEN YOU NEED FRESH AIR NOW: Taconic State Park: Head here for a day trip or casual camping. Beautiful nature without leaving society behind. Peekamoose Mountain: Check this out if you’re ready for self-sufficiency far from the usual traffic, lights, and plumbing. Macedonia Brook State Park: See the Catskills and the Taconics from the Connecticut side at this massive park with some interesting local history. Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Minnewaska is picture-perfect, with 50 miles of trails leading to scenic lakes and waterfalls. Governor’s Island: Governor Island’s “Collective Experience” feels more like a hotel room surrounded by nature. If you want to be outdoorsy and pampered, this is your place.

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HIGH IQ

Melissa Lockwood is on a fierce mission: to spark a zero-waste revolution in fashion design.

SINCE 2010, Melissa Lockwood has exclusively incorporated discarded sample fabrics from studios, design houses, and fabric recovery stores such as NYC Fabscrap into her clothing designs, for her eponymous company, IQ Test: Melissa Lockwood. Samples, swatches and scraps become exciting jackets, dresses, fabric collages, and eye-catching accents. She works with luxury silks, linens, antique beads, vintage braid, and embroidered pieces, to embellish her designs. Lockwood’s inspiration for the S/S2020 collection came from a friend at the Environmental Protection Agency tasked with solving the “fast fashion” crisis since the 1990s. The clothing and textile industry—along with the oil industry and the military complex—is one of the largest polluters in the world, and has become a major contributor to environmental devastation. In

Earth Body Show, where her styles were met with acclaim. Her project has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, and Vogue UK. She has taken her ideals straight to the runway, as well. During Global Climate Week, Lockwood took a cue from activist Greta Thunberg and refused to fly or ride on a bus or train, use sets built for disposal, or have models walk on carpet that might be thrown away. She is determined to be an environmentalist first and foremost, with design being part of her mission. She opted to release her collection online, instead. “As the world’s resources change and things become scarcer, we will need to have a road map to follow,” she says. Her next phase is to create nowaste utilitarian objects such as rugs, pillowcases, and other home décor elements, out of the same materials. iqtest-nyc.com DT

addition to the 20% of global water waste produced by the fashion industry, textile refinery involves poisonous chemicals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. Tasked with researching new ways to keep “disposable” clothing out of landfills, Lockwood discovered she could create gorgeous fashions using only off-cut waste and reclaimed fabrics. Lockwood’s styles are an intriguing collection of shifts, streamlined dress designs, and sturdy and artistic

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

jackets. Many of her dresses are a modern take on classic 1920s styles. They are flowing, flattering to all sizes, and comfortable. With a streamlined approach to constructing her pieces, she can knock out individual, unique dresses quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Lockwood’s collections have recently been featured in New York Fashion Week, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Venice Biennale Preview as part of the

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE TEEPLE.

By Alice Teeple

FINANCIAL DISTRICT’S PREMIER HAIR SALON Fabio Doti Salon’s expert stylists create forward-thinking sophisticated looks for men and women of any hair type and style. The salon is the Financial District’s only salon to use industry leading products from Keratase, complete with top-notch service in a modern italian setting. 108 GREENWICH STREET 3RD FLOOR NY, NY 10006 40 EXCHANGE PLACE 7TH FLOOR NY, NY 10005

LAST WORD

EGHAN

BOLEDOVICH PRINT's official urban forager dishes on her unique job. MEGHAN BOLEDOVICH IS one of New York City’s full time restaurant foragers. She recently joined photojournalist Michael Fiedler as she collected fresh produce for PRINT restaurant in Hells Kitchen. Michael Fiedler- How would you describe what you do for a living? MB- I truly would call myself an “urban forager” since I spend many mornings at the Union Square Market sourcing produce from the regions unique growers. Oftentimes I can be found on the rooftop garden of PRINT restaurant tending to native plants and herbs that we use in the kitchen and bar program. MF- Do you always find everything you’re looking for in the markets? MB- Mostly, but every once in a while I get to escape the city and visit the farms we work with and learn more about their process and their stories. It’s this mash-up of nature and urban landscapes that makes my position unique. From time to time I also go on actual foraging expeditions for wild edibles which is always an eye-opening experience.

DOWNTOWNNYC THE REFORMERS 2020

MF- Why is that? MB- Unlike farming, foraging is fully controlled by nature and you are working directly with the land and its untamed bounty. All of these combined aspects of my job help me to have a deep connection to the land, the farmers who work it and the kitchen workers who clean and prepare it into nourishment for others. MF- How does this approach help a large urban environment like New York City? MB- Sustainability, with a low impact on our city and planet is an important endeavor we can all take a part in. Personally, I am proud to play a role in this process for a restaurant which takes this mindset seriously. MF- How can New Yorkers be more mindful and helpful with issues such as sustainability and renewable food sources? MB- Whether it's by donating excess food, seperating our compost, or sourcing from biodynamic farmers, there are myriad ways we can strive towards zero impact. We can always do more. I’m looking forward to the next decade where we will continue to feed people and spark joy sustainably. DT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL FIEDLER

by Michael Fiedler

Timeless designs, Built for a lifetime photos: Joshua McHugh arch: Ike, Kligerman, & Barkley

General Contractors Construction Managers 412 W 127 St. NY, NY 10027 (212) 316-2400

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Downtown Magazine NYC Spring 2020

Articles inside

Beauty: Clean, Green, and Beautiful

Fashion: High IQ

Fitness: Camp It Up

LAST WORD: Megan Boledovich

Hair: Living Color

Sea Creatures

Delaware Renaissance

Barclay's Spot

Tek Report

Run Wild, Run Free

Haute Haus

Future New York

The Goods: Rainbow Connection

The Goods: Garden of Earthly Delights

Viewfinder: Garden Party

Gamechangers: Greenwave

Urbanity: The Good Earth

Urban Plan: Following the sun

Savoir Fare: Farm Living

Urbanity: See Your City

Activist: Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Power Player: Market Value

From the Editor in Chief

The Reformers

From the Advisory Board Chair

Entrepreneur: The Cleanest Clean

Contributors

From the Founder