This project reimagines the lands through the perspective of the diamondback terrapin, a keystone species of Jamaica Bay’s wetlands. The Diamondback terrapin relies on both land and brackish water for survival, coming ashore each spring and summer to nest on sandy ground. However, human interventions—including hard shorelines, bulkheads, urban infrastructure, and illegal poaching—have disrupted these habitats, creating barriers that threaten the terrapins’ reproduction and survival.
To address these challenges, the project proposes modular, adaptable interventions designed to restore terrapin access to nesting grounds while also fostering human-ecological coexistence. These small-scale modules can be reconfigured for various contexts, from large-scale urban environments like JFK Airport to individual backyards along Cross Bay Boulevard. Beyond habitat restoration, the modules incorporate community functions, transforming into outdoor furniture or garden structures that address food insecurity—a key driver of poaching.
By aligning the needs of humans and terrapins, this design envisions a shared future where both species benefit. Terrapin Bay uses the terrapins’ unique perspective as a guide, illustrating how thoughtful, scalable design can harmonize human activity with ecological preservation, creating a model for coexistence in Jamaica Bay and beyond.
