Situated along Lake Ontario in Upstate New York, this project underscored the importance of research, analysis, and inventory at both local and regional scales as foundational elements of effective design. The town of Fairhaven faces seasonal flooding challenges due to its location on Sodus Bay and Lake Ontario. The project site—West Barrier Bar Park—was a town-owned conservation parcel that, despite its prime location, was underutilized.
Our design studio was tasked with transforming this land into a vibrant public park that both encourages tourism and addresses the area's flooding risks. The process began with an in-depth site visit—an essential first step that laid the groundwork for a comprehensive site inventory and analysis. These findings directly informed the design strategy, ensuring the proposal responded authentically to the environmental and social context. By grounding the design in site-specific needs, the project was positioned for long-term relevance and resilience.
