Located on the High Line at a spot known as the Chelsea Thicket, 512 West 22nd Street is a new office building inspired by its proximity to the park’s public space and its location with connection to and views of the Hudson River.
The building, designed via principles of biophilia, is unusual in that the planted areas of the roof, staircase, and terraces represent greater square footage than its footprint. 512 features over 15,000 sf of outdoor space. Landscaped terraces populated solely with native species are cut into the building’s profile on every floor. Continuous stepped terraces from levels two to four are designed for outdoor circulation, events, and other uses for tenants, while at the second and third floors the branches of the thicket meet the overhang above, margining into a canopy. In total, the planted areas represent 110% of the footprint of the building.
Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, the architectural design includes resiliency features that can withstand 100-year food predictions, an integrated rooftop watering and grey water system, and signature interior columns.
The building’s exterior recalls the historical infrastructure and warehouse buildings of the neighborhood and the contemporary design that defines west Chelsea. The building features industrial sash-inspired windows and an anthracite terra-cotta, zinc, and granite facade. The custom terra-cotta profile rotates and opens at the curved edges of the building with glass that arcs around the corners, featuring operable windows that offer more direct control of the environment and access to outdoor air.
The offices include large, light-filled floors with overhead air distribution and filtering systems. Below the office space, the 22nd Street lobby includes a curated event space that can open onto the sidewalk when the pane-glass garage door is lifted. Off the lobby, a landscaped viewing garden offers a calming focal point at the elevator banks.
Related Stories
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Mar 29, 2013
PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'
WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS.
| Mar 29, 2013
Shenzhen projects halted as Chinese officials find substandard concrete
Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted after inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand, which undermines building stabity.
| Mar 15, 2013
7 most endangered buildings in Chicago
The Chicago Preservation Society released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition.
| Mar 14, 2013
25 cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago top EPA's list of the U.S. cities with the greatest number of Energy Star certified buildings in 2012.
| Mar 13, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: jails, courthouses, police stations, and post offices
The March 2013 report from RSMeans offers construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets. Building types include: jails, courthouses, police stations, and post offices.
| Mar 12, 2013
'World's greenest' office building seeks tenants in Seattle
Superefficient Seattle office building is designed to meet the ambitious goals of the Living Building Challenge.
| Mar 4, 2013
Korean Air, AC Martin collaborating on Western region's tallest tower
The 1,100-foot Wilshire Grand will combine retail and restaurant space, offices, and a luxury hotel in the sky.
| Mar 3, 2013
Hines acquires Archstone's interest in $700 million CityCenterDC project
The Washington D.C. office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced the acquisition of the ownership interest of their partner, Archstone, in the mixed-use CityCenterDC project that is currently under construction in downtown Washington, D.C.
| Feb 28, 2013
Greeening Silicon Valley: Samsung's new 1.1 million-sf HQ
Samsung Electronics' new 1.1 million sf San Jose campus will support at least 2,500 sales and R&D staff in the company's semiconductor and display businesses.
