Gansevoort Street Project – New York City
Retail / Gastronomy / Offices
Stage : proposition 2012
Architects: STEINMETZDEMEYER
Stability: Knippers Helbig
Climate Engineering: Transsolar
Rendering : Quickit
A renewed BACKGROUND
Located at the crossroads of the grids of Manhattan and Greenwich Village, the project « Gansevoort Street » is a key location of the Meatpacking district. Being the vanishing point of the High Line and Washington Street, it enjoys exceptional visibility.
That is why the project is based between two strong architectural elements forming visual landmarks across the district and attractive references to the visitors. These are guided in direction of the new businesses, via two public circulations on two levels. The spirit of the High Line is then extended to the interior of the isle.
The paths created and valued by the project make it a major center of attraction that is supposed to energize and renew this part of the neighborhood.
A PROGRAM in the continuation of the history of this place
The program combining shops, restaurants and offices, is spread in the existing buildings following a conscious logic for the history of the place.
Adjoining structures and existing volumes are carefully respected and completed with new functionalities and public and work spaces that show very clearly the contrasts to the historical structure.
A sober and elegant restoration of the storefronts and their weathered brick as well as new interventions using materials, textures and colors in matching tones and in harmony with the existing reflect the program in the facade.
A forward looking DESIGN
In addition to ensuring the unity of the project, the big canopy offers multiple advantages of energy efficiency and protection from rain or sun.
Indeed, its 2000m2 of solar cells ensure a consequent supply of energy. In addition, the shape and the orientation of the component pads ensure an optimal natural light to the spaces under them. Finally, the recovery basins allow a reuse of rainwater which limits the waste of tap water.
A project respecting the past and being anxious about the future is not a revolution but an evolution…