The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Robert W. Wilson Overlook is a remarkable addition to the garden, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience. This ascending garden, designed by the acclaimed architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi, provides breathtaking views of the Cherry Esplanade and Cranford Rose Garden, creating a cinematic journey through the lush and ever-evolving landscape.
Main Features of the Robert W. Wilson Overlook
The Overlook boasts several key features that make it a must-visit destination for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike:
Ascending Garden
The Overlook is designed as an ascending garden, allowing visitors to navigate a winding, switchback pathway that leads them through a lush and diverse landscape. This gradual ascent offers spectacular views of the surrounding gardens, creating a sense of discovery and exploration.
Winding Pathway
The Overlook’s winding, switchback pathway is shaped by smooth walls with integrated benches, providing visitors with a comfortable and accessible way to navigate the site. This design enhances the overall circulation and accessibility of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Diverse Plantings
The Overlook features a variety of plantings, including summer-flowering crape-myrtle trees, ornamental grasses, and herbaceous perennials. These diverse plantings create a lush and ever-changing landscape, offering visitors a visually captivating experience throughout the seasons.
Accessibility
The innovative switchback path design of the Overlook enhances the Garden’s accessibility, making it easier for visitors of all abilities to explore and enjoy the site.
Design and Architecture of the Robert W. Wilson Overlook
The Robert W. Wilson Overlook was designed by the renowned architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi, the same team responsible for the adjacent Steinberg Visitor Center. This collaboration has resulted in a cohesive and visually striking addition to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Awards and Recognition
The Robert W. Wilson Overlook has received widespread recognition for its exceptional design. In 2022, the project was longlisted in the prestigious Dezeen Awards, and in 2023, it won the Urban Planning/Landscape Architecture category at the International Architecture Awards.
Plantings and Visual Appeal
The Overlook’s plantings and visual appeal are a significant draw for visitors, offering a captivating and ever-evolving landscape.
Crape-Myrtle Trees
The Overlook features a collection of crape-myrtle trees that bloom in late summer, adding seasonal interest with their colorful flowers, fall foliage, and exfoliating bark.
Native Grasses and Perennials
The garden includes native grasses and perennials, which evoke a meadow-like atmosphere and reference the Visitor Center’s living roof and the meadow habitat in the Native Flora Garden.
Cinematic Experience
The Overlook creates a cinematic experience for visitors, with its ever-evolving landscape inviting them to discover new visual relationships and conversations between the diverse plantings.
Key Statistics
- Size: The Overlook encompasses 1.25 acres of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s most significant unprogrammed site.
- Opening Date: The Robert W. Wilson Overlook opened to the public on November 6, 2019.
Conclusion
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Robert W. Wilson Overlook is a remarkable addition to the garden, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience. With its ascending design, winding pathway, diverse plantings, and exceptional accessibility, the Overlook has become a must-visit destination for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The Overlook’s recognition through prestigious awards further underscores its significance as a captivating and innovative landscape architecture project.
References
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (n.d.). Overlook. Retrieved from https://www.bbg.org/collections/gardens/overlook
- Dezeen. (2022). Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Robert W. Wilson Overlook. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2022/longlists/brooklyn-botanic-garden-robert-w-wilson-overlook/
- Weiss/Manfredi. (2019). Robert W. Wilson Overlook Opens at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Retrieved from https://www.weissmanfredi.com/news/1378-robert-w-wilson-overlook-opens-at-brooklyn-botanic-garden
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (2019). New Overlook Now Open. Retrieved from https://www.bbg.org/article/overlook_now_open
- Weiss/Manfredi. (n.d.). Brooklyn Botanic Garden Robert W. Wilson Overlook. Retrieved from https://www.weissmanfredi.com/projects/619-brooklyn-botanic-garden-robert-w-wilson-overlook