American Solar Energy Society » nyc http://www.ases.org Leading the Renewable Energy Revolution Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:24:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 The Lowline: Advances in Fiber-Optic Technology http://www.ases.org/3517/ http://www.ases.org/3517/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:42:29 +0000 Ariel Braude http://ases.org/?p=3517

Dan Barasch & James Ramsey Photo Credit: Observer.com

Last month we introduced you to the LowLine, a sustainability-focused project in NYC. The goal of the LowLine is to transform an abandoned train station into a beautiful underground park using fiber-optic solar technology. This project garnered worldwide  attention and as result, it exceeded it’s fundraising goal on KickStarter by 55%. This extra funding means that project initiators Dan Barasch and James Ramsey can complete the first step–building scale models of the park. It’s been so successful that this many be one of the biggest ever crowd-funded campaigns focused on urban development, reuse and innovative design.

Photo Credit: Observer.com

Barasch and Ramsey partnered with the Mark Miller Gallery in New York City for a special showing titled “Let There Be Light.” The exhibit featured a three-dimensional model and fiber-optic solar technology to be used in the park. It’s estimated that building the 60,000 square foot park will cost $20 million. Prints of the artwork will go on sale to support fundraising efforts to build this innovative park. The gallery installation will be on display until April 29th.

There is still a long way to go with this innovative project. We look forward to hearing more about what Barasch, Ramsey and their team develop in the way of solar technology. This fall you can see other innovative uses of solar in ASES’ National Solar Tour.

 

]]> http://www.ases.org/3517/feed/ 0 Using Green Technology to Transform Urban Landscapes http://www.ases.org/using-green-technology-to-transform-urban-landscapes/ http://www.ases.org/using-green-technology-to-transform-urban-landscapes/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:25:38 +0000 Ariel Braude http://ases.org/?p=1408 Finding new uses for old, unused space in urban places has been a dilemma many cities face. New York City is one that is successful at re-purposing relics from the past into modern, usable space. While I was in NYC for an extended stay I walked the HighLine, old train tracks that have been re-purposed into a gorgeous space for walking with gardens and spectacular views.

This week I discovered the LowLine, a project that aims to re-purpose an old trolley station into a beautiful, usable underground park. When Dan Barasch and James Ramsey discovered this abandoned station on Delancey Street on the Lower East Side in NYC they immediately saw a vision that would match design and solar technology.

The approach of this project uses the latest in fiber optics to reflect light underground. The use of this green technology will reduce carbon emissions and electricity while providing a refuge for plants, trees and people from the busy urban landscape. A demo of the project just received full funding through KickStarter. We look forward to including this innovative space in a future ASES National Solar Tour. Until then if you want to support the Solar Tour this fall you can learn more here.

 

Click below to hear more about this visionary solar project.

]]> http://www.ases.org/using-green-technology-to-transform-urban-landscapes/feed/ 0