Hudson Square is defined by the powerful, massive masonry urban factories, warehouses and printing press buildings that rose in the 19th century. 100 Vandam, a relatively diminutive red brick warehouse, was of the first generation of large working buildings that began to replace the small farms of the 1800s. Purchased with the intent of developing high end residential condos in its place, COOKFOX Architects designed a solution to create high-end homes alongside the preservation of the original warehouse so evocative of the neighborhood’s cultural heritage.
The design for the new 192,000 sf residential building at 100 Vandam preserves this narrow band of history, emerging as a rare vertical extension; a 25-story contemporary tower rising within the brick façade of the 19th century warehouse. A new core anchors the void of the demolished interior bays, resulting in a unique architectural expression that combines luxury with authenticity. The tower above functions as a counter to the thick massing of the warehouse’s loadbearing exterior, reducing to thin, light plates held aloft in tension. The tower’s edge extends as solar shades to create a deep exterior wall, pushed inward at intervals to form planted loggias for every unit, which required customized floor plans on each tower level.
The loggia gardens, designed by Terrain-NYC, are oriented to sun angles and the planting selection is derived from the local ecosystem to support new habitats for birds and insects, knitting together ecosystems from the Hudson River Park. The loggias filter light and frame expansive views of the city, stimulating biophilic responses.
Beyond the successful preservation of Hudson Square’s industrial landscape as it transitions into a vibrant, well-connected neighborhood for families and businesses,100 Vandam’s biggest accomplishment is the conservation of embodied carbon, which lessened the demand for new construction materials and improved the structure’s carbon footprint.
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