BIG wants to transform boring Two Penn Plaza into an undulating sea of glass

Let's face it: Two Penn Plaza is boring. Most people don't even take a second glance at the nondescript office tower between 31st and 33rd streets on Seventh Avenue, but building owner <a href="http://www.vno.com/">Vornado</a> is hoping to change that with an <a href="http://newyorkyimby.com/2016/03/big-plans-revealed-for-two-penn-plaza-transformation.html">eye-catching new redesign</a> by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/index.php?s=bjarke+ingels">Bjarke Ingels Group</a>. Part of a <a href="http://newyorkyimby.com/2016/02/one-penn-plaza-two-penn-plaza-to-get-major-renovations-interconnection-midtown.html">larger initiative that also includes a revamp of One Penn Plaza</a>, BIG's recently unveiled renderings of the project reveal a glassy facade that flares out at the bottom like a skirt being blown up over a subway grate.

Two Penn Plaza in its current state.

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The redesign doesn't seem to affect the top portion of the building much aside from the glass cladding, but the lower and ground levels have been transformed into a mass of staggered blocks sheltered beneath the glassy, wave-like overhang.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/index.php?s=bjarke+ingels">BIG</a> shared two ever-so-slightly-different design variations for the 1,619,000-square-foot tower.

In addition to adding visual interest, the giant building-skirt will also give pedestrians a place to wait out the rain.

<a href="http://www.vno.com/office/property/two-penn-plaza/3311675/landing#sthash.bQAr9ta6.dpuf">Two Penn Plaza</a> is already LEED Silver-certified, but we're hoping that the revamp will reach an even higher level of sustainability. We've reached out to BIG about what the sustainability considerations for their new design might be and will keep you updated with their reply.