Rachael Green | Facade of Many Faces: A Hybrid Skyscraper

Facade of Many Faces : A Hybrid Skyscraper Rachael Green

Watercolor and collage study of exterior of skyscraper and corresponding views into New York City from Greenpoint

Abstract

An Introduction

Skyscrapers of the late 19th century looked vastly different than they do today. Historically, the skyscraper began as a single form extrusion containing a single program. Throughout history the skyscraper took on many new forms. Zoning and setback laws of the 1960’s changed the way that the skyscraper looked and was thought about. There has always been a race and desire to have the tallest skyscraper in New York City, and as technology developed it allowed for skyscrapers to be built taller. New York City would become one of the most prominent cities for the skyscraper as well as one of the most iconic skylines.

As new heights were reached there was a split from the once ornamental and sculptural skyscraper. Both in past and present day New York City there is an emphasis on designing the tallest and most slender skyscraper. As previously mentioned with the emphasis on height, there was importance placed on the glass tower.

Over time this led to the skyscraper becoming an ambiguous and aesthetically standardized building. Office towers and apartment buildings look the same and offer no indication as to what the skyscraper contains. Newer developments have taken over historic parts of New York City and are alien to the architecture surrounding it. While the technology has enabled these skyscrapers to expand, people and historic architecture is forgotten.

This thesis explores the historic and theoretical development of the skyscraper and how to challenge the current entire glass clad skyscraper. Through façade articulation, program, section, relationship to the ground and character, this skyscraper will become a place in which every person can have it all. Through the relationship of both public and private spaces, the skyscraper will transform from an ambiguous, glass tower into something that represents the history of New York City.

New York City A rich architectural past Many theorists predicted what New York City would look like and what heights skyscrapers would soar to. Ferris made predictions about the city of tomorrow, its buildings, and its transportation. Which was often depicted as a utopia. In the 1920’s and 30’s Art Deco became prevalent along the same time as New York City was being transformed. It placed importance on the vertical while including decorative motifs of dazzling colors, materials and textures. Along the same time Mies van der Rohe submitted his proposal for the Friedrichstrasse Skyscraper competition of 1921-22.

It would become a pivotal moment for skyscrapers as it moved them into a more modern design. In Rem Koolhaas’s Delirious New York, there is emphasis placed on the idea of a city within a city, a critique of the “brutal skyward extrusion”. As we enter into current New York City, there seems to be an emphasis on the supertall skyscraper. he skyscrapers reflect the city back at itself, but they create isolation between the movement and culture of the city, cutting it off at the base.

Ferris, Metropolis of Tomorrow

Chrysler Building

Koolhaas, Delirious New York

Mies van der Rohe, Friedrichstrasse competition

111 W 57th, ShoP Architects

The Site Greenpoint, Brooklyn The neighborhood of Greenpoint has and is going through major development changes.

There has been a surge of development along the waterfront and creation of ferry connections and parks, as well as a coming connector that would connect Brooklyn and Queens and allow for more transit to be accessed north and south of the site. Even with this new development there is a desire from its residents to keep its historic feel and keep it as “traveling into the past yet enjoy modern day comfort”.

The site itself is situated on the East River looking onto the East side of Manhattan. Its location is situated along with the new development as well as directly next to a ferry terminal, allowing instant access to the island of Manhattan.

Greenpoint is historically a working class neighborhood home to manufacturing and industry. The architecture present there showcases the people it inhabits. Along with that it has quite a bit of arts and culture and supports those from all walks of life. This proposal aims to create a verticalized Greenpoint that includes several different programs in one tower and becomes an extension of the neighborhood below and utilizes the architecture present in both the neighborhood of Greenpoint and New York city to drive its design.

Greenpoint Site Plan

Form Studies A study in sculptural and unitized forms

A New Typology The multi faced facade In the final design of this new skyscraper, it combines both sculptural and façade articulation driven by architecture moves present in Greenpoint. This skyscraper intends to create an articulated façade showcasing the program contained within the building as the façade moves and changes shape, color and texture. That gives the skyscraper a new identity that is whimsical, that showcases the people who live, work and play there. It aims to create a nostalgia for the New York City and the period of art deco which is present in the detailing at the entrance as well as located on the building’s facade. Bringing back an ornamental and sculptural quality to the skyscraper that is reminiscent of the New York they once knew.

The skyscraper itself focuses on a more eclectic layout, merging and blending programs together along with exterior and interior. As volumes begin to pierce the interior space bringing light into the core of the building. All sides of the project, as they face out towards New York city or into Greenpoint, express this eclecticism that merges different shapes and sizes of spaces. The façade is both set back as well as added on to, as the program moves and changes within the building.

The skyscraper intends to be playful in nature as spaces that are not typically connected and begin to blend the line between public and private space.

A Hybrid Program Interaction and collision of spaces The skyscraper itself is set around its core with eight different programs scattered about the building. The main programs being living space as well as office space that could serve both businesses and open office settings. It incorporates artist studios which is a big part of the artistic culture of Greenpoint. As well as offering retail, restaurant, grocery, greenspace and transportation connection The multiple programs allow for many scenarios to occur within the building. A resident can wake up, take the elevator to the lobby to get a cup of coffee and then head to work in one of the open office settings, all while never leaving the building.

The skyscraper is intended to be for those living there as well as for the neighborhood of Greenpoint to visit and use.

Entrance

Ground Condition

Office & Retail

A New Way of Living A collage of program Many skyscraper designs limit the personal feel that comes from the individuals occupying the space. This skyscraper is for the people to use any way that they want, creating another layer of ornamentation on the façade that is more characteristic of the human scale. It incorporates green and natural elements to counter the urban concrete jungle and give an oasis to the inhabitants. This section of the skyscraper intermingles several different program types from living, working, greenspace, and artist studios. As the programs change within so does the exterior façade.

This building takes a look into the past of New York city and its skyscraper and transforms it into something uniquely its own. Skyscrapers of the past were highly regarded with their shining crowns and beautiful entrances. This skyscraper aims to create a sense of place and symbolism at any point on the building not just the entrance or crown.

As this new skyscraper sits on the edge of Greenpoint it offers connection to an architecture and time that seems to be forgotten. It creates connection to a place, to a neighborhood and a city that is no longer cut off at the ground level or that feels like a foreign entity in the neighborhood. But instead creates an extension of the neighborhood, while being reminiscent of the New York they once knew.