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8 Union Square South
8 Union Square South
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Other Projects by Arpad Baksa Architect, P.C.
8 Union Square South
Type
YEAR
2007
SIZE
25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft
The project is
located at the southwest corner of Union Square-directly opposite the
park-on the last remaining underdeveloped site. When our returning
client came to us with the desire to develop a corner of Union Square
they initially wanted a building with an all-glass facade. While they
were pleased with our initial designs, the all-glass facades changed
dramatically throughout the life of the project due to budget
constraints, a changing wartime economy, and the constant flux of a
dynamic high-profile residential market. Pre-cast concrete panels were
incorporated into the design, and, once married to our original glass
facade idea, they begin to realize a layered masking effect, as the
glass layers were set deep into the interlocking concrete panels. This
idea enveloped the building by utilizing the concrete panels to enclose
the more private spaces. In addition, the remaining floor-to-ceiling
glass facade portions in the living areas became the only separation
from the park directly across the street, allowing the inhabitants an
intimate and free experience with one of the city’s most valuable
places.Since
the site is a highly visible corner, the street-level commercial space
was maximized by locating the residential lobby and primary doorman
service on the 2nd floor. A supplemental part-time doorman would also
be stationed at the street level residential entrance where the
elevator is first accessed. The dual lobby spaces are physically
connected by a single elevator and experientially connected through a
clear open void space that penetrates the floor separating the two
levels. The void is lit dramatically with random-height light
fixtures, which simultaneously animate the verticality of the space.In
the individual apartments, our client wanted to project a luxurious
living experience. We accomplished this by incorporating a virtual
concierge service in each apartment. A wireless touch-screen computer
interface directly connects each apartment to the Quintessentially
private members club, where members receive automatic access and
exclusive privileges at the finest gyms, spas, restaurants and
nightclubs locally and around the globe at the touch of a button. The
building is only the second of its type in New York City to incorporate
this service, The Plaza being the first. In addition to the virtual
concierge system, each apartment is pre-wired for a Bang & Olufsen
audio system, allowing the individual owners to experience their choice
of the joys of music seamlessly throughout each apartment.We
also used sleek and sustainable finishes. The kitchens were fabricated
by Valcucine, a luxury European kitchen designer and manufacturer. In
addition to the high Modern sensibility that Valcucine is known for,
their products are also environmentally sensitive and they directly
support the use of renewable and sustainable materials. We also used
flooring approved by the Forestry Stewards Council of America and
“green” materials for the wall coverings throughout the lobbies. The
bathroom materials incorporated a blend of natural stones and renewable
composite ceramics, which induce a further refinement of the ideas of
luxurious modernity our client wished to portray. The
original buyers were also allowed to choose the focus of the interior
finishes by selecting one of four “lifestyle packages”. New owners
with highly developed tastes in art, fashion, food & wine, or even
a combination of all three could opt to have their apartments outfitted
with custom lighting, storage spaces, kitchen amenities, or a
combination thereof to suit their own tastes. These options were
presented to prospective buyers in order to take advantage of the
spectacle of a transparent construction process and to let the initial
apartments be further detailed and customized by the new owners before
they are fully constructed.For more info visit www.arpad-baksa-architect.com
located at the southwest corner of Union Square-directly opposite the
park-on the last remaining underdeveloped site. When our returning
client came to us with the desire to develop a corner of Union Square
they initially wanted a building with an all-glass facade. While they
were pleased with our initial designs, the all-glass facades changed
dramatically throughout the life of the project due to budget
constraints, a changing wartime economy, and the constant flux of a
dynamic high-profile residential market. Pre-cast concrete panels were
incorporated into the design, and, once married to our original glass
facade idea, they begin to realize a layered masking effect, as the
glass layers were set deep into the interlocking concrete panels. This
idea enveloped the building by utilizing the concrete panels to enclose
the more private spaces. In addition, the remaining floor-to-ceiling
glass facade portions in the living areas became the only separation
from the park directly across the street, allowing the inhabitants an
intimate and free experience with one of the city’s most valuable
places.Since
the site is a highly visible corner, the street-level commercial space
was maximized by locating the residential lobby and primary doorman
service on the 2nd floor. A supplemental part-time doorman would also
be stationed at the street level residential entrance where the
elevator is first accessed. The dual lobby spaces are physically
connected by a single elevator and experientially connected through a
clear open void space that penetrates the floor separating the two
levels. The void is lit dramatically with random-height light
fixtures, which simultaneously animate the verticality of the space.In
the individual apartments, our client wanted to project a luxurious
living experience. We accomplished this by incorporating a virtual
concierge service in each apartment. A wireless touch-screen computer
interface directly connects each apartment to the Quintessentially
private members club, where members receive automatic access and
exclusive privileges at the finest gyms, spas, restaurants and
nightclubs locally and around the globe at the touch of a button. The
building is only the second of its type in New York City to incorporate
this service, The Plaza being the first. In addition to the virtual
concierge system, each apartment is pre-wired for a Bang & Olufsen
audio system, allowing the individual owners to experience their choice
of the joys of music seamlessly throughout each apartment.We
also used sleek and sustainable finishes. The kitchens were fabricated
by Valcucine, a luxury European kitchen designer and manufacturer. In
addition to the high Modern sensibility that Valcucine is known for,
their products are also environmentally sensitive and they directly
support the use of renewable and sustainable materials. We also used
flooring approved by the Forestry Stewards Council of America and
“green” materials for the wall coverings throughout the lobbies. The
bathroom materials incorporated a blend of natural stones and renewable
composite ceramics, which induce a further refinement of the ideas of
luxurious modernity our client wished to portray. The
original buyers were also allowed to choose the focus of the interior
finishes by selecting one of four “lifestyle packages”. New owners
with highly developed tastes in art, fashion, food & wine, or even
a combination of all three could opt to have their apartments outfitted
with custom lighting, storage spaces, kitchen amenities, or a
combination thereof to suit their own tastes. These options were
presented to prospective buyers in order to take advantage of the
spectacle of a transparent construction process and to let the initial
apartments be further detailed and customized by the new owners before
they are fully constructed.For more info visit www.arpad-baksa-architect.com
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