When Hurricane Sandy tore apart the New York City coastline last fall, it was hard to imagine that only six months later it would be business as (almost) usual at the beach. The storm devastated 14 miles of coast, leaving behind mounds of debris and the tattered shells of old boardwalks. The city responded with a hyper-fast, $270 million restoration of its eight public swimming beaches. Sand was replaced, new access points were created and protective barriers were constructed. And while the project addressed a lot of logistical and safety issues, it was also a chance for New York City to totally reinvent the coastlines appearance.

Beaches like the Rockaways and Coney Island have long been charming throwbacks to a bygone era with vintage roller coasters and quaint shops, but the new vision will very much bring the New York City coastline into the 21st century. The project began with replacing the old damaged service buildings with 35 new modular pods that contain comfort stations, lifeguard stations and offices. Designed by Garrison Architects, the pre-fabricated, solar-powered buildings are sleek, modern and FEMA-approved, with stilts elevating them above storm-surge levels. In addition to the pods, four brightly colored concrete islands, designed by Sage & Coombe Architects, have been constructed at the Rockaways boardwalk junctures that will provide restrooms and seating areas.

Ramps and stairs lead up to stilted "pods." Image: Garrison Architects

A completed "island" at Rockaway Beach. Photo: Pentagram

A rendering of one of Sage & Coombe's islands. The exterior is painted with an abstracted map of the shoreline. Image: Sage & Coombe Architects

A rendering of an island at 106th Street. Image: Sage & Coombe Architects

Pentagram designed a full range of signage types. Image: Pentagram

The main welcome sign features a photo of the beach. Photo: Pentagram

Each sign features a photo of the beach post-Sandy. Image: Pentagram

Redesigned regulation signs are located at lifeguard stations. Image: Pentagram

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How Hurricane Sandy Brought 21st Century Design to NYC's Beaches