Behind the scenes
Bjarke Ingels Group and the BIG U
Renderings have the ability to shape the way we think about problems and see their solutions.
Discover the BIG U project
In this video with Bjarke Ingels Group, you’ll dive into the BIG U design concept that aims to protect lower Manhattan while bringing local communities together.
Autumn Visconti
Landscape Architect
“It was an awe-inspiring moment for a lot of people.”
The BIG U design proposal
As a changing world presents new challenges to local communities, some of the leading architecture firms and teams of architects and designers are applying their talents to solve urgent problems while improving the quality of life for the people living there. This is the case with ‘The BIG U’, a design proposal created by Bjarke Ingels Group and an international team of architects, urbanists, landscape architects, engineers and others.
The BIG U was conceived in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, in response to an initiative by Rebuild By Design and HUD. The idea behind it was to provide reliable and innovative flood protection to lower Manhattan, while developing spaces for local communities to come together, such as leisure spaces, green parks, outdoor fitness areas and so on. You can learn more about the background of the BIG U concept on ArchDaily.
This fascinating story takes you through the BIG U design proposal, providing an in-depth, poignant look at how Bjarke Ingels Group approaches community-focused design, and how Lumion animations played a role in communicating design ideas to the public.
Jamie Maslyn Larson
B.I.G. Director of Landscape
“We can’t just build walls around our communities for sea-level rise and climate change. We have to make them places that people want to hang out in and inhabit.”
In this mini-documentary, you’ll explore:
0’ 5” — The impact of Hurricane Sandy and the need for a protective system.
0’ 30” — The Rebuild by Design competition.
0’ 46” — What is the BIG U?
1’ 13” — Flood protection as a means of social infrastructure.
1’ 43” — The scale and process of the BIG U project.
2’ 13” — How the BIG U was visually communicated with Lumion animations.
3’ 13” — Communicating storm scenarios and seeing how the park can perform.
3’ 51” — People’s reactions to the animations of the BIG U.
4’ 44” — The urgency for design concepts like the BIG U.
5’ 08” — Questions for the future.
Special thanks
This story was made possible thanks to Bjarke Ingels Group, B.I.G. Director of Landscape Jamie Maslyn Larson, B.I.G. Junior Landscape Designer Doug Breuer and B.I.G. Landscape Architect Autumn Visconti for speaking with us for this video. We also want to extend a special thanks to everyone involved in making the video.
