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
| Mar 12, 2014
London grows up: 236 tall buildings to be added to skyline in coming decade, says think tank
The vast majority of high-rise projects in the works are residential towers, which could help tackle the city's housing crisis, according to a new report by New London Architecture.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Feb 27, 2014
Open or private offices? It depends on the business plan
Open layouts are grabbing headlines as a hallmark of the new workplace—think the Google campus or Facebook's headquarters. And for smaller-scale operations, open designs are often lauded for being less expensive than private office plans. But does that mean all offices should have an open layout?
| Feb 25, 2014
NYC's Hudson Spire would be nation's tallest tower if built
Design architect MJM + A has released an updated design scheme for the planned 1,800-foot-tall, superthin skyscraper.
| Feb 20, 2014
5 myths about cross laminated timber
A CLT expert clears up several common misconceptions and myths surrounding the use of wood as a building material.
Sponsored | | Feb 20, 2014
Chicago’s historic Wrigley Building renovated to attract tech companies
Purchased in 2011 by a consortium of investors led by BDT Capital Partners, the building’s new owners have recently renovated and reimagined the next life for this architectural landmark—as a hub for tech firms.
| Feb 20, 2014
World's longest desk? Massive, undulating desk accommodates 145 office workers [video]
The desk is built from plywood and one continuous sheet of resin, and can serve all 145 office employees at once.
| Feb 19, 2014
It's a world record! Largest uninterrupted concrete pour kicks off Wilshire Grand project
Guinness World Records verifies the concrete pour as the largest ever
| Feb 17, 2014
Developer plans to 'crowdfund' extended stay hotel in Manhattan
Want to own a piece of Manhattan hotel real estate? Developer Rodrigo Nino is inviting individual investors to put up $100,000 each for his latest project, 17 John.
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.