NYC Vertical Neighborhood?
In the highly contested 53 West 53rd Street site in Manhattan, Axis Mundi has revealed an alternatively 'diverse' design for the new Hines Tower, future home to the Museum of Modern Art's planned expansion.
As architect and Axis Mundi founder John Beckmann explains, "Instead of disguising the rich potential of towers that have a mix of uses, we looked for a way to express that diversity." The title of his scheme: Vertical Neighborhood.
With enough facade articulations that would make the stacking-boxes camp jump for joy, the building is intended to be porous and full of irregular vertical fissures to bring in light, breezes, and encourage neighborly socialization.
It also champions flexibility and an "emerging reality for tall buildings as collections of domestic elements: dwellings, neighborhoods, streets." The flexibility is also manifested in the "SmartBlock" ring units that allow for mixed use and many floor plan varieties. Structurally, I am not sure exactly how the malleabilty of these units would work out -- apparently, they can "shift in and out, adding rich texture to the surface" -- does that mean they are reconfigurable for each new resident, as in, a constantly transforming facade?
While Jean Nouvel's existing proposal of a soaring, lustrous spire would most certainly augment the historic (and slightly homogenous) New York skyline, Axis Mundi's vision would probably speak more individualistically to the surrounding neighborhood and its activities at a human scale, while being more reflective of the city's exploding diversity as a whole. MoMA and Hines...what'll the verdict be?
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It's.... so.... UGLY! I would never want to live here.
isn't this just James Wines 2.0?
Paolo Solari had this idea decades ago and is still, at 90+yrs old, building one of his smallest planned communities in Arizona.See http://www.arcosanti.org/
I love it!! Its unique and beautiful and would love to say my home is where Marilyn Monroe is!!
dope
Brilliant! Artful and clever idea. I love all the greenspaces and different facade designs. Would become a real tourist magnet for NYC.
The word Paolo coined is "arcology" http://landscapeandurbanism.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
I like in concept and program - but the renderings look like a vertical slum... with a bit of Hunderwasser of course!
conjures up images of people throwing dish water out their windows & hanging clothes out to dry. Carlos used the word ugly...interesting (arguably accurate). I used that word to describe something on this site & was promptly censored.
I love the artistry of this design. However, how many units are in this building? I wonder what the marketplace will be for a building of such modern design on Manhattan's west side. I could see this building selling units without a problem in areas such as SoHo or TriBeCa. I'm not so sure 53rd Street is the best location for a building with this design.
I keep wanting to dub it "tramp architecture." I do appreciate its texture and vividness, though I agree with Rolando - I can't envision this in the East 50's.
This can never happen. The differential cost structural and seismic design and incredibly difficult construction will outweigh any possible benefit of using no new land. Additionally, the infrastructure of most cities really couldn't support it...... Neat concept, but just can't see it coming to fruition.
I love this building. I'm partial because the idea of the organization of program and facade the pushes and pulls against itself is my groups project from the past falls studio, only it was 90 stories and glass and steel. I think if the facade was just that glass and steel the comments would be very different, that model does not present itself the same as the renderings, think 56 leonard. I am not in love with the proposed facade but this project and its placement begs the question to be asked, what could we do, what would we do and what SHOULD we do?
It reminds me of Rio's favelas.
Beautiful! An inspiring place to live! Love it!
THIS TYPE OF HOUSING IS VERY POPULAR IN EUROPE, WHERE THE DWELLINGS ARE SURROUNDED BY PLENTY OF SPACE IE, PARKS AND PLAYING AREAS, AMONGS SKYSCRAPERS AND TALL OFFICE BLOCKS IT TENDS TO LOOK LIKE SOMETHING FROM THE FAVELLAS, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE AFTER A FEW YEARS.
I love it!!!!!
Beautiful. So strange it actually works. It's one of those things you almost have to grow to love - like hagus or an ugly son. I mean that in the best possible way ... I love it already.
If ever built, I could see this idea completely failing in several ways, similar to the fate of Nakagin Capsule Tower. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/arts/design/07capsule.html?scp=5&sq=metabolist&st=cse
In theory its a nice idea, however didn't Corb come up with something like this? It doesn't work!
Hey this was done it China already, and where are the AC units?
Think of Habitat, Montral, 1967. Elegant looking. In the 80's they had a long waiting list for apartments.
Lovely
Albeit not an original idea, still an honorable, intelligent and necessary one to pursue. Peoples tastes do vary, so while this type of urban architectural planning may not be for you, its design does offer something for everyone: a place to live, eat, play, work, or merely admire with awe from a tour bus passing by. New York City, considered the worlds most prominent urban landscapes, filled with density by diversity, ought to have (at least one of) these vertical neighborhoods to serve as an example of integrated living environments, the "24 hour community". Cities are built up (as opposed to out), therefore this type of planning should feel right at home nuzzled in Manhattan. Im a fan.
Maybe this pic started a germ of an idea for the concept.... http://www.ebcak.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/trailertrash_condos.jpg ......I just hope they don't have many earthquakes in NYC!
Love it!
i am at 70 Wash in Dumbo and love it to death cuz DUMBO IS COOL. But May have to go DC I heard you could rec some gent'ry places down there cheap vs NYC. Please post up I am a buyer soon down there and can spend half a million or so but seems you need not
the spaces in between the buildings are what i like best about this vision.
I 'NEVER' wanted to live in NY, But build it and I WILL come!
WOW! I call an apartment at that place!
Very unique! Living in this type of an apartment would certainly spark a few design inspirations so it seems.
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