Commissioned by New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority to address the city’s long-term problem of subway flooding, Grimshaw’s design solution brings together public amenity and flood mitigation.

Applied to the Manhattan component of the project, the response incorporates bicycle racks and benches, which are securely affixed to a galvanised steel vent embedded into the footpath.

The transparency and modest scale of the design ensure it has minimal impact on busy New York foot traffic, yet its components are engineered for robust use and can withstand significant vehicle loads.

Fabricated from high grade stainless steel, the street furniture meets the Authority’s demanding standards for durability and maintenance.