Freshkills Park is a layered construction, an evolving ecology of natural and synthetic conditions. Adding to this loose meshwork, OFFSET/OFFSITE proposes a deployable unit, in the form of a mast and a trough; when aggregated on the site over time, the units grow akin to the site's successional landscapes extending the woodlands into a synthetic forest of masts.Borrowing from known instruments of utility (such as fishing rods, bobbers and buoys), the unit is a landmark, reclaiming vision and situating the human condition within a capricious landscape. The unit has two characters – the Lure and the Perch.

The Lure, designed for energy production, is composed of a carbon fiber mast, a light-emitting bobber, and a kite, that meet the ground within a trough with a slack-adjusting reel. Energy is produced through the mechanical winding and unwinding of the kite's line as it is propelled by the wind. Together a collection of units create a liminal ceiling overhead, loosely joined together by a stabilizing web, creating a visible strata 200 ft. above ground level.Serving migratory bird population, the Perch unit consists of a mast, an adjustable platform, and a series of interchangeable, hospitable niches. The Perch's trough contains binoculars, bird siting logs, migratory maps, and other educational paraphernalia for park visitors and researchers.

OFFSET/OFFSITE targets companies to invest in the project to obtain tax-relief in the form of energy offsets. Due to the expansive site, the units are not a projection of individual influence, but operate as a powerful collective.

© Austin + Mergold with Sally Reynolds, Sneha Patel and Jack Fanning

Project team: Ann Dinh, Melhissa Carmona, Ben Widger, Marc Krawitz