High Line Spotlight: Architecture & Design
About this Event
Take a deep dive into design and architecture—both on and off the park—with a 90-minute specialized tour led by a High Line Docent, a knowledgeable volunteer guide. In it, you’ll hear about the architectural and technological feats of the once-active railway, the 720 wild ideas once proposed for the High Line’s transformation during the Ideas Competition, the tenets that guided the park’s architectural and landscape design, and so much more.
Design & Architecture tours will be led by Irene Buchman and Fredrica Segal on September 17, and Bridget Gramling on October 22.
Want to explore more tour topics? Spotlight tours are also offered for art, horticulture, and history. See all spotlight tours →
Tours proceed rain or shine, though cancellations may occur during extreme weather. To ensure accessibility for all visitors, wheelchairs are available upon request.
Docent Bios:
Frederica Sigel
Hi, I’m your High Line docent Frederica Sigel. I live in the neighborhood, and I’ve been a docent since 2012. I'm also on the board of the Meatpacking Business Improvement District.
In 2004, when the High Line put out an RFP for park designers, I was COO of a landscape architecture firm that partnered with architect Zahad Hadid to respond. We became one of the four short-listed firms, but my firm ultimately left the team. When we meet, if you’re interested, I’ll tell you why.
I’ve also been on my local Community Board since 2012, serving on the Landmarks, Parks & Waterfront, and Land Use & Housing committees. I learned a lot about architecture and design on the Landmarks committee and a lot about zoning when I became chair of the Land Use & Housing committee. That turned into an interest in the role that zoning plays on the High Line. Now it’s one of my favorite topics—and if you think that zoning sounds dull, take my tour and we’ll correct that misconception!
Bridget Gramling
Bridget Gramling grew up in central Missouri, graduated from the University of Dallas, and worked in undergraduate admissions at several colleges in Texas and Missouri over a 20+ year career. When her husband, Ed, got a job in NYC in 2010, she retired from admissions and became a full-time tourist, housewife, and volunteer. She and Ed have been married for over 30 years; they live on the Upper West Side.
Bridget has been a High Line docent for more than ten years. She started volunteering for the High Line because she didn’t know anyone in the city and she was looking for ways to meet people. An entrance to the park was right outside her then-home, so she decided to apply as a volunteer. She quickly made herself at home in the volunteer community, even coordinating the volunteer program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bridget spends most of her time in New York volunteering for local nonprofits, including The Opportunity Network, The Whitney Museum of American Art, Cristo Rey New York High School, Holy Apostles food pantry, and Open House New York, where she was awarded the Joe Giargiana Volunteer Excellence Award. Bridget loves being a High Line docent, because the park is her favorite place in New York City and she loves to share her love of the park with visitors. When she’s not volunteering, Bridget loves to visit museums and read mystery novels.
Photo Consent:
By attending this event, you agree that photos and/or video footage of you may be taken, and you grant your permission to Friends of the High Line and its agents/licensees to use such photos/footage for promotional and other purposes.
Accessibility:
We encourage all persons with disabilities to attend. To request additional information regarding accessibility or accommodations at a program, please contact [email protected]. Program venues are accessible via wheelchair, and ASL interpretation can be arranged two weeks in advance.
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Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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