SB+C’s design solution for New York’s Financial District Coastal Improvement Program [FDCIP] has been Highly Commended at the MIPIM / Architectural Review [MIPIM AR] Future Project 2020 Awards. The commendation recognises the FDCIP in the Regeneration masterplanning category as a resourceful answer to improving this important piece of New York coastline.

The FDCIP is a waterfront improvement initiative proposed for New York City to combat the threat of rising sea levels and super-storms. Our solution tunnels the southernmost section of the elevated FDR Drive underground, transforming the waterfront of Lower Manhattan and protecting it from future flooding, enabling communities to become more resilient to the changing environment.

The tunnel will not only act as a multi-faceted flood mitigation structure, but will eliminate surface level traffic and pollution and provide the potential to create a vibrant, accessible, open waterfront with new public spaces connecting to neighbourhoods. In turn, this will increase the real estate value from Battery Park to Corlears Hook.

“SB+C Architecture strives to provide unique project-specific solutions in response to global climate change. In the case of Lower Manhattan, we are concerned that blanket land extensions would create new environmental issues and destroy the character of some of the City's most valuable historic waterfront. FDCIP provides the solution The City needs to protect the Financial District while simultaneously enhancing the neighborhood by providing much needed world class park space.”

Michael Santora, Principal, SB+C

The awards, for projects at design or early construction stage, are run in conjunction with MIPIM, the annual property festival in Cannes, which attracts more than 20,000 international delegates. The Future Project Awards celebrate excellence in unbuilt or incomplete projects.