More and more people are searching for temporary relief from the drudges of daily life. A study of the art collective Ant Farm proved that there is a way to create fleeting moments that bordered the realm of fantasy. Thus, inflatable architecture and art installations, such as the Cadillac Ranch, were born from a curiosity in the way we inhabit and perceive reality. Through a collaborative effort the members of Ant Farm were able to address preconceived notions of reality and challenge it with projects that erased the boundaries separating art and architecture.

The “counterculture ecoptopia” that i propose seeks to blur the boundaries between opposing ideas that exist in today’s world. The juxtaposition of an ecological sanctuary and an old abandoned factory building creates a space that feels otherworldly. This unfamiliar feeling allows people to view the space as an experiential art installation.

As people walk through the space they are seeing these liquid lanterns that descend from the ceiling of the abandoned Yonkers powerplant. The lanterns serve a multi-functional purpose, the first being a vertical irrigation system that collects moisture from the exterior and brings it to the topography inside the factory. As the moisture collects, the weight of it causes the bulb to descend until it reaches the ground, releasing the water into the soil. An effect of this is a lush forest that can be enjoyed by visitors.