Cross-post via Tower Verre thread.. You can see how well the E/W facade plays with surrounding buildings. Looks like it's been there forever. Cannot overstate the drool factor of this building. :slob:

Yeah, one thing about the people at 53w53, they will also get a nice view of the great buildings to the north as well as the park.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbxJi8_n...tymarketsgroup


https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram...MDg1OA%3D%3D.2



https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram...MDg1OA%3D%3D.2

Behold, your new Versailles!

one thing to say about this one, . .
it could not be any more than it is . .

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb2rHzMB...tymarketsgroup


https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram...ODc1MQ%3D%3D.2



https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram...ODc1MQ%3D%3D.2

It seems downright crazy to imagine an 11-ton piece of façade being attached to the bulk of a tower that will look so willowy....

"tower . . so willowy...." - Prezrezc

the perceptual fragility of both north & south views
of thinny 111's structure . . is anxiety-producing beyond insane . .
the east & west views, however are melodically decorated filagree . .
reaching up into a tantalizingly steep tectonic stairway form . .
a wildly distinctive magical crown of heavenly organ pipes . .
soaring beyond the point of no return . .
I'm both crossing my fingers and holding my breath for
the implausible result . .

That's a structural member, not a piece of facade. Still crazy!

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...g?format=2500w

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...g?format=2500w

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All photos by Field Condition (Source: http://fieldcondition.com/blog/2017/...hop-architects)

Stunning facade!

Absolutely fantastic!

This might end up being my favorite building in the whole city.

^Incredible shots. Incredible.

The thought that this 1,400'er is essentially rising out of an alley, just blows my mind. And that these two columns are the extent of the foundation?? I just can't articulate the amazement. ShoP I'd kiss you if I could.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1492/...95db79a8_o.jpg 9 months ago, via ILNY

You're looking at it wrong, that's only part of it. The building rises partially inside the existing Steinway Hall.

Terra Cotta Question(s)
 

I live in what would be considered by NYC standards as a pre-war building - masonry construction with terra cotta accents cemented into place. When I look at the photos of the siding panels being installed - I see the terra cotta is floating/raised above a surface, and can see space between the individual pieces.

I am presuming this was done on purpose, to provide expansion/contraction flexibility, and the actual skin surface to the building will be the surface underneath the terra cotta. Am I wrong? I am bringing this up because of the Grenfell Tower in London.

Two questions, one rhetorical and one technical...in that order:

1. Where did they get the inspiration for the terra-cotta design?

2. Are the contours of the bronze component supposed to change as the tower rises further?

I seem to recall looking at some renders before and preceiving an optical illusion of sorts that on closer look got me to ask that second question.

You are seeing this building correctly, this is indeed terra cotta that is not directly a part of a masonry construction, but is instead clipped onto each facade panel in a pre-fabricated piece. Yes probably done for expansion/contraction, water handling, lighter weight, less labor, & ease of maintenance.

Grenfell tower in London? Completely different. That building affixed flammable insulation to the exterior of a concrete facade, and that insulation is what caught fire all the way up. This building acts more like a traditional curtain wall skyscraper instead of a masonry building, where the facade is built from non-combustible & fire-rated components and hangs on the structure.

Oh man, I can't wait! This is going to be the swankiest building in Christendom.

The cladding is essentially a "rainscreen" where the finish material, in this case a very classy ogee terra cotta, floats over the real weather barrier and structural panel which here is faced in what appears to be aluminum and attached with stainless steel clips, brackets and hardware which can be adjusted. Absolute kudos to SHoP for insisting on this "imperfect" slightly misaligned look as it adds so much textural interest. I wasn't sure about it when I first saw the cladding mock-up but I love it seeing it rise.