FLORAL REEF & CO
a journey through nature to craft.
Location: 250 West 28th Street, Manhattan, New York, 10001, United States
Methods: Kodak Ultramax 400
Architect: Zaha Hadid
The Highline
New York City Green Space
After reading about the High Line in Horti Curious by Ann Treneman, I knew it had to be on my visiting list in New York. The book described how, back in the 1980s, the site was almost abandoned, a chaos of wild grasses growing over the old railway. Yet the designers saw beauty in that, calling it “a juxtaposition between the hard and the soft.” They imagined a multi-season garden of perennials, tough enough to survive the winds, weather, and millions of visitors. Today, more than 400 resilient species thrive there.
The more I learned, the more I realised it’s not just a garden in the city. It adds so much: oxygen, a place to relax, fresh air outlets, a unique perspective of the skyline, and a destination for both locals and tourists. No wonder it has inspired many cities worldwide.
‘It’s juxtaposition between hard and soft’ - (Hammond and Joshua David, 2024)
Walking the High Line felt like moving through different worlds. Each stretch carried a new atmosphere, sometimes shaded like a climate forest, open and breezy. Even the paths changed under my feet, from wooden planks to steel grating, giving each zone its own rhythm.
What I loved most was how the garden seemed woven into the buildings. In some spots, you could almost lean out of your window and touch the greenery. It’s not city versus nature, but city with nature. They hold each other up, and together they create a richer experience of urban life.
I noticed how small flowers and plantings softened the edges between buildings and pathways. The views stayed open, yet you could sense the boundary of the garden. It felt like a gentle way of saying: this is the High Line, and you’re stepping into something special.
And maybe most importantly, it gives something critical to people: a place to pause, breathe, and feel healthier. For me, it wasn’t just a walk; it was an experience of how design can make a city feel more alive.
Location: The High Line, New York, USA
Methods: Kodak Ultramax 400
Location: The High Line, New York, USA
Methods: Kodak Ultramax 400
Location: The High Line, New York, USA
Methods: Kodak Ultramax 400