Built as part of the Design Excellence Initiative with the New York City Department of Design and Construction, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New York City Public Design Commission, The Bronx River Art Center is dedicated to bringing cult ural education and professional arts programming to a diverse and underserved public in the South Bronx.

KaN landscape design was chosen by the Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) to assure an environmentally sustaining complex at this critical site along the Bronx River Watershed. See also the BRAC Riparian Garden project.

The green roof not only is absorbing excessive storm water overflow (nearly 34,606 gallons of the 115,545 gallons projected annual rainfall), but will also become (once the recently renovated BRAC building opens) an invaluable educational tool in a borough, neighborhood and community plagued with environmental injustice.

KaN Landscape Design carefully designed outdoor classrooms, to allow for the green roof to become environmental material for the center’s curriculum. It will provide opportunities for the students to learn about the capabilities of green roofs to reduce polluting runoff water, filter air pollution, to reduce greenhouse gasses from urban heat islands, to act as a fire barrier and to improve the heating/cooling capability of a building and provide wildlife habitat.

The Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) was created in the late 70’s as part of the first Bronx River Restoration project to help engage Bronx residents in the restoration and stewardship of the River through arts programming.