Phase 2: Via 57 West (Rishi & Shruti)

Via 57 West

Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

Location: Manhattan, New York City

Year Completed: 2016

Client: The Durst Organization

Size: 830995 sq.ft.

Residential Units: 709 Units (34 floors)

Description: VIA 57 West is the name of a residential building designed by the Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The pyramid shaped tower block or “tetrahedron” rises 467 ft (142 m) and 35 stories tall and is located on West 57th street in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City. West 57 is Ingels’s first New York project. While the views from Manhattan of the 709-unit building may resemble a distorted pyramid with a steeply sloped facade, rising 467 feet (142 m) toward the northeast, it becomes apparent that Bjarke Ingels had something else in mind as viewed from across the water in Weehawken, New Jersey. The most unrecognized feature created by the building’s sloped facade is the appearance it gives of an extra large sailing vessel making its way across the Hudson River With its angular balconies around an integrated green plaza, the block will connect with the waterfront and the Hudson River Park, taking full account of the surroundings while providing fine views with little traffic noise. The building has a floor area of 80,000 square meters, including residential and retail programming. The northern facade of the building features a number of balconies skewed at a 45-degree angle.

History: Bjarke Ingels is a Danish Architect, founder and creative partner of Bjarke Ingels Group. In Denmark, Ingels became well known after designing two housing complexes in Orestad: VM Houses and Mountain Dwellings. In 2006 he founded , Bjarke Ingels Group which grew to a staff of 400 by 2015, with noted projects including the 8 House housing complex, VIA 57 West in Manhattan, the Google North Bayshore headquarters. Since 2009, Ingels has won numerous Architectural Competitions. He moved to New York City in 2012, where in addition to the VIA 57 West, BIG won a design contest after Hurricane Sandy for improving Manhattan’s flood resistance, and are now designing the new Two World Trade Center building. Ingels and his company are the subject of the 2017 documentary BIG Time.

Bjarke Ingels met the New York developer Douglas Durst in the early 2000s when he was in Denmark. Durst, who visited Ingels’ Copenhagen studio in February 2010, found him very inventive, noting that unlike other architects, “What was striking about his work was that each design was so different, and designed for the locale.” The facade’s of the building like the North Facade where the balconies are skewed at a 45 degree angle is a pattern employed in previous works such as the VM Houses, in Copenhagen.

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Research and Analysis:

Sharing verbs:

Merge- The triangular structure has been described as a merge between “European perimeter block” and ” Traditional Manhattan high rise”.

Gather- Creating a gathering space for the residents to socialize.

What we find Interesting: The most interesting part of Via 57 West is the Sail boat appearance created by the steep slope from the north east corner. The steep slope roofing creates a connection in scale between the lower structures of the building in the south and the higher floors in the north and west of the site. The bright grey metal cladding of the roof forms a perforated pattern, which is interrupted by openings that act as balconies facing the south. The building is very environmental friendly for example- It reduces the traffic noise and provides beautiful views of the Hudson River.

Private and personal space: People can view into the private residence spaces by standing in the courtyard because of the floor to ceiling glass windows allowing interior views.

Program Arrangement: Its a combination of 45 degree angled units on the North East side where as, South West side has linear row of units. The north and east façades of the building feature a number of balconies skewed at a 45-degree angle, creating a fish-scale-like pattern, as does the south-facing wall on the north side of the courtyard. The sloping south and west exterior facade walls have a random pattern of recessed window openings of varying widths. Near the base, the steep slope of the upper parts of the facade taper out to a flatter slope. Apartments in the 831,000-square-foot building are arranged in a herringbone pattern to capture daylight and views, and the central courtyard, which is lined with amenities such as a children’s room and game room, offers ample green space. The Scandinavian-inspired interiors are simple, with white walls and oak floors; a staggered-brick wall in the lobby adds texture. The building runs 11 elevators for the people to reach different sides of the building. The units are connected by a lobby which runs in between and the units on either sides of the lobby. The building also consists of a eight screen theater (Landmark Theaters) on the ground floor.

Impact of site and context: It is opposite to Hudson River. The 58th and 57th street provide maximum circulation around the building. The building is oriented in such a way that maximum units can view the sun rise and sunset. The 32 stories high residential block has a floor plan that reminds of compact and efficient historical courtyard buildings in Europe, but adds the lightness and wide views of an American skyscraper. The north-east corner arises to 142m high peak, which leads down towards the other three lower corners of the building. The structure’s courtyard thus opens up towards the Hudson river and guarantees as many views as possible. The constellation of various heights enables the sun to enter the block from the west and to provide enough sunlight for the river-facing apartments.  The triangular structure reduces the noise of traffic for residence.

Structure and Materials: It is mainly consisted of Concrete and Floor to ceiling glass. There is a careful consideration of environmental impact through interior furnishings. The bright grey metal cladding of the roof forms a perforated pattern, which is interrupted by openings that act as balconies facing the south. The slope of the building allows for a transition in scale between the low-rise structures to the south and the high-rise residential towers to the north and east of the site.

Architectural Significance: It was Ingels’s first New York project. The buildings sloped facade gives an impression of a extra large sail boat. It was given the Emporis best skyscraper design award in 2016 followed by International High Rise Award (2016) and CTBUH Tall Buildings Award (2016). The pattern of the building was employed by previous works of the architect such as the VM Houses, Copenhagen.