In developing One Madison, the client wanted to create a premiere luxury residence, featuring a variety of apartment types, each designed to maximize space and views. Adding to this challenge, the client wanted to expedite construction, requiring a phased construction sequence.
One Madison employs a modular, plug-in design concept articulated through “pods” which deconstruct the building’s mass and give it a sense of lightness. Cantilevered from the main shaft, the pods enabled construction to begin on the main tower before the full site was available. These cube-like forms extend the tower’s 2,700 SF floor plate to 3,300 SF and allow for varied apartment units, some with terraces.
One Madison features open, loft-like layouts with floor-to-ceiling glass and 360 views of New York City and beyond. The design utilizes lateral bracing placed in the center instead of around the perimeter, forming a cruciform of shear walls, buried between rooms and shafts, minimizing the impact to room layouts. The engineering design includes a Tuned Liquid Damping system incorporated into the building structure at roof level, mitigating lateral movement caused by wind and seismic forces.
Another key element of the design was creating a modern building that would complement the fabric of Madison Square Park and the classic architecture of the neighborhood. The main tower shaft is composed of earth-toned bronze glass, enabling it to blend with the older surrounding limestone and masonry buildings. One Madison’s tall and slender form also compliments its two famous neighbors, the Flatiron and the MetLife tower, creating a graceful linear progression between the three towers.
One Madison’s design is simple, yet distinctive and striking, conveying an understated elegance not often found in contemporary architecture. Its slender shape and innovative engineering pushes the limits of today’s skyscrapers, earning the tower its place in the iconography of the New York City skyline.
Links:
- https://vimeo.com/95849542