Four Freedoms Park in New York Have to Last for Hundreds of Years

Hurricane-proof

Material longevity and its inherent impact on long-term project sustainability are changing the way buildings are designed. Memorials like the new Four Freedoms Park in New York have to last for hundreds of years. Corrosion resistant 2205 duplex stainless steel was necessary so that the sculptural handrails were as durable as the massive blocks of granite in this highly-acclaimed new monument.

On January 6, 1941 President Franklin D. the southern end of Welfare Island The park consists of a tree-lined garden Roosevelt delivered a speech establishing (subsequently renamed Roosevelt Island) that narrows to an open-air plaza with the the ideological basis for America’s in New York City’s East River was four freedoms inscribed in its walls. involvement in WWII. He looked forward announced in 1973. The New York Times The plaza provides stunning views of to a world with freedom of speech and said, “It would face the sea he loved, the city and the United Nations Building. expression, freedom of worship, freedom the Atlantic he bridged, the Europe he Despite the proximity of crowded from want, and freedom from fear. helped to save, the United Nations he Manhattan and Long Island, the park Roosevelt’s famous Four Freedoms speech inspired…” A master of 20th century offers great tranquility and is described later became the basis for the United architecture, Louis I. Kahn designed the as a spiritual oasis. Nations Declaration of Human Rights. memorial park, but New York City’s subsequent bankruptcy put the project The park is designed to be an enduring The plan on hold. tribute to Roosevelt, with massive blocks of North Carolina granite forming its walls A plan for developing the Franklin D. Finally, in 2010, the city gave the go and walkways. Kahn designed elegantly Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on ahead for the realization of Kahn’s vision. minimal, sculptural, dull gray ›

The Four Freedoms Park memorial has great views of the New York skyline. © Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park/Paul Warchol

Excerpt from MolyReview 2/2013 1 stainless steel handrails for the project. Type 316 stainless steel (with 2% Mo) is (Pipe railings were also added to meet often used in coastal areas due to its modern safety concerns.) The railings good corrosion resistance, but it would not were to visually blend with the granite, have met these stringent requirements. which has a gray-white background Instead, the more corrosion-resistant flecked with medium to dark gray spots. duplex stainless steel 2205 with 3% Mo was selected. Implementation of the plan The traditional architectural fabricators The project team retained an architectural contacted did not have duplex stainless metals consultant to help identify a finish steel experience and were unwilling that would achieve Kahn’s aesthetic to make this complex shape. The logical goals and an appropriate stainless steel solution was to turn to an industry which for essentially maintenance-free service. uses duplex stainless steels regularly and has demanding surface finish A customized dull, relatively rough, requirements. The pharmaceutical industry The custom made duplex handrails blend in with the granite. © Diane Bondareff abrasive-blasted finish was needed to is such an industry. A U.S. pharmaceutical aesthetically blend the stainless steel and industry and architectural fabricator, CMPI, stone. Both this rough surface finish ultimately won the project. In October and the unique curving design, creating 2012, the park was finally completed with remained corrosion free, confirming that sheltered areas, meant that the railings its unusual handrails. 2205 was an appropriate choice. New would accumulate higher levels of York City is home to the world’s largest corrosive salt. In addition to adjoining 2205 passed the first test concentration of architects and the brackish water, the project had to performance of these highly visible withstand 100-year storm surge events, Just days after the park opened to the railings has not gone unnoticed – another which could submerge the railings in salt public, Hurricane Sandy submerged the testament to the role of Mo in building a water for days. railings. They were undamaged and sustainable future. (Catherine Houska)

Excerpt from MolyReview 2/2013 2