Aerial view of Manresa Island design with green spaces, buildings, smokestack, beach, and surrounding water.

Aerial view of a conceptual design for Manresa Island, featuring a large green park with various trees and pathways. A prominent smokestack and several buildings are visible, surrounded by water on three sides. The design includes a beach area, a pier, and boats in the water.

A landscape view of a grassy wetland area with various birds, including egrets, amidst the greenery. In the background, there is a large industrial building with a smokestack surrounded by trees. The sky is clear and blue.
A large grassy park area with people relaxing and a tall industrial building with a smokestack in the background.
Aerial view of a large building complex with a tall smokestack surrounded by greenery and water.
A modern building with a blue facade and a tall smokestack in the background, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A modern outdoor pool area with wooden lounge chairs and people enjoying the space. The scene includes a large blue building with vertical greenery and a tall concrete structure with balconies.
A modern architectural structure with a circular design and glass walls, featuring people enjoying the outdoor area. The building is surrounded by greenery and has an upper deck with seating and umbrellas. A tall cylindrical structure is visible in the background.
A modern building surrounded by autumn trees with people walking on a pathway in the foreground.
A modern building with large windows surrounded by landscaped green spaces and trees, where people are relaxing and walking.
A scenic park area with a boardwalk surrounded by tall trees. People are sitting and walking along the path, with some engaging in educational activities. An informational display about the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp is visible.
Three people of different heights are looking through circular windows in a blue corrugated metal wall, revealing industrial structures inside.
An interior space featuring large hanging plants and a transparent slide. A woman and two children interact with large mechanical dials.
A spacious interior area with large hanging plants, seating areas, and people socializing. The space features a mix of modern and natural elements, with greenery and a bar area. Large windows allow natural light to flood the area, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
Interior view of a modern industrial space featuring a yellow staircase, hanging greenery, and workstations. People are seen working and interacting in the space.
Interior view of a modern, industrial-style space with people gathered on yellow tiered seating. A large metallic turbine component is suspended from the ceiling. The background features a neon sign reading 'MANRESA WILDS' and a bar area.
A spacious indoor area with a high ceiling and large windows, featuring people gathered around tables with models of planets. The space includes industrial elements like a crane and metal framework.
A cross-section rendering of a multi-level building with various people interacting in different spaces. The structure features open areas, stairs, and colorful elements, with visible beams and glass walls.
A beach scene with people sunbathing and swimming near a large industrial building with a tall smokestack. The area is surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
Children playing in a natural playground with wooden structures and woven tunnels surrounded by trees and vegetation.
A snowy landscape with people walking and playing in the snow near a body of water. There are trees covered in snow and a pier extending into the water.
A scenic boardwalk surrounded by lush greenery and water, with people walking along it. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and a person is kayaking in the water nearby.
A modern architectural structure with a glass facade stands adjacent to a tall smokestack. The building is surrounded by greenery, including trees and a lawn area. There is a pool with loungers and umbrellas, and people are visible enjoying the outdoor spaces.
A modern building with a tall smokestack, surrounded by autumn trees and people walking along a path.
A large green park with people enjoying various activities, surrounded by trees and modern buildings in the background. A tall smokestack is visible on the left, and the sky is clear with a few clouds.
Aerial view of a beach area with people and umbrellas, adjacent to a large building with a tall smokestack surrounded by greenery.
A modern architectural structure with a prominent entrance featuring glass walls and a metal framework. The area is landscaped with greenery and people are seen walking and cycling.
An indoor space featuring a climbing wall, hanging plants, and a slide. People, including children, are engaging in activities such as climbing and exploring the area.
A group of people, including families and individuals with pets, are gathered in an open, green space with trees and a modern, perforated canopy overhead. The area features a glass structure with green metal framing and a swing. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
Interior view of a modern aquatic center with people enjoying a pool and water slides. The space features large windows, hanging plants, and a light, airy atmosphere.
Interior view of a modern auditorium with wooden slats on the walls and ceiling, featuring large windows overlooking an outdoor scene. People are seated in rows, facing a speaker at the front.
A vibrant outdoor park scene featuring children playing on a colorful playground with climbing structures and slides. Adults are seated on benches, and there are trees and greenery surrounding the area. In the background, there are modern architectural structures with orange accents and a tall smokestack.
Aerial view of a revitalized industrial site transformed into a park with modern buildings, a tall smokestack, and lush greenery surrounding the area.
A scenic view of a boardwalk winding through a lush green wetland area, with people walking and sitting along the path. In the background, there is a large building with a tall smokestack, surrounded by trees.
Aerial view of a large green park on an island surrounded by water, featuring a tall smokestack, several modern buildings, walking paths, and a pier with boats.
A modern indoor swimming pool with large glass windows overlooking an outdoor area with additional pools, lounge chairs, and a beach. People are swimming and relaxing both indoors and outdoors. A tall smokestack is visible outside, surrounded by greenery and pathways.
Interior view of a large industrial-style space with high ceilings, featuring a gathering of people. The space has large windows, exposed metal beams, and a mezzanine level with more people. There are various activities and stalls set up, indicating a community event.
A vibrant waterfront scene with people enjoying various activities. There are individuals swimming in a pool, others relaxing on sun loungers, and some walking along a wooden boardwalk lined with trees. Colorful trailers are parked along the path, and the background features a calm body of water with boats and kayaks.
A scenic park pathway with people walking and jogging, surrounded by trees and greenery. There are benches and picnic tables along the path, with a view of the water in the distance.
A map showing the location of Manresa Island and surrounding areas, including Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, and Westport. The map highlights private and public shorelines, with Manresa Island marked in blue.
Aerial view of Manresa Island Park, highlighting its location surrounded by water and proximity to Norwalk, Connecticut. The image shows the island's lush greenery and the surrounding urban and natural landscapes.
Aerial view of Manresa Island showing existing industrial structures, including a large building with a smokestack and several cylindrical tanks, surrounded by water.

Story

Transforming Industrial Heritage into Ecological Haven Manresa Wilds is an ambitious project set to redefine the southeastern Connecticut landscape by transforming the industrial remnants of Manresa Island into a vibrant public park. The site, once dominated by a coal-fired power plant, will become a 125-acre haven for ecological restoration and public engagement. The project, designed by BIG in collaboration with SCAPE, is slated for completion in 2030 and aims to reconnect the city of Norwalk with its waterfront, offering 1.75 miles of previously inaccessible shoreline. The design preserves and adapts the plant's main structures, including the boiler building, turbine hall, office building, and the iconic smokestack. These elements will be reimagined into a network of event spaces, educational facilities, and recreational areas. The park will feature new waterfront paths, living shorelines, and wetland restorations, designed to mitigate climate impacts while enhancing biodiversity. Manresa Wilds will also serve as a hub for research and community activities, with partnerships with local universities fostering educational opportunities. The park's design celebrates the site's natural resurgence, highlighted by the growth of a birch forest and the return of ospreys. Visitors will enjoy amenities such as outdoor thermal pools, a public beach, and a rejuvenated pier, all set against the backdrop of Long Island Sound.

## Design Highlights

Adaptive reuse of industrial structures into public amenities 1.75 miles of restored waterfront access Ecological restoration including wetland and shoreline enhancements Recreational facilities including swimming areas and thermal pools Educational and research spaces in collaboration with local universities

## Key Facts

Feature Details
Location Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Site Area 125 acres
Waterfront Access 1.75 miles
Main Structures Boiler building, turbine hall
Completion Year 2030
Design Team BIG, SCAPE

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: Modern glass facade with metal framework.

Materials

  • Glass — Facade and large windows in various buildings.
  • Metal — Framework and industrial elements.
  • Wood — Interior auditorium walls and ceiling.

Construction / Systems

  • Adaptive reuse: Preservation and adaptation of existing industrial structures into new functional spaces.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through large windows and glass facades.

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