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
| May 31, 2012
5 military construction trends
Defense spending may be down somewhat, but there’s still plenty of project dollars out there if you know where to look.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 29, 2012
Legrand achieves over 20% energy-intensity reduction in Presidential Challenge
West Hartford headquarters announced as Better Buildings, Better Plants “Showcase” site.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 15, 2012
Don’t be insulated from green building
Examining the roles of insulation and manufacturing in sustainability’s growth.
| May 15, 2012
SAGE Electrochromics to become wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain
This deal will help SAGE expand into international markets, develop new products and complete construction of the company’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Faribault, Minn.
| May 14, 2012
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons
Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.
| May 8, 2012
Skanska USA hires Zamrowski as senior project manager
In his new role at Skanska, Zamrowski will serve as the day-to-day on-site contact for select Pennsylvania-based projects during all phases of construction.