New York City’s award-winning High Line has attracted yet another sculptural building to its side — 512 West 22nd Street, a contemporary Chelsea office building that takes cues from the elevated park with landscaped terraces on every floor. Designed by local architecture firm COOKFOX Architects, the new building is inspired by not only its proximity to the High Line, but also the neighborhood’s industrial history. The office is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.
Located adjacent to the “Chelsea Thicket” portion of the High Line, 512 West 22nd Street visually extends the park’s greenery with large landscaped terraces cut into the building’s profile on every floor for a total of over 15,000 square feet of outdoor space for occupant use. Light-filled workspaces, engineered for comfort and high-performance, enjoy direct access and views of these landscaped areas, which are planted solely with native species. Partly shielded from view by dense tree growth on the High Line, the building’s lower landscaped terraces are used for events and outdoor circulation, while the terraces on the fourth floor and above provide direct views of the city and Hudson River beyond.
The integration of landscaped terraces gives the contemporary building a dynamic and sculptural appearance that opens up at the edges. The streamlined facade of anthracite terracotta, zinc and granite is divided by industrial sash-inspired windows that wrap around the curved edges of the exterior. Operable glass gives occupants control of access to outdoor air.
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In addition to the air purification benefits of the nearby park and landscaped terraces, building occupants can enjoy access to a state-of-the-art overhead air distribution system. The large and flexible office spaces can also be adapted to a wide range of users. “Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and foster an office environment connected with the natural world, 512 West 22nd Street sets new standards of health and productivity in the modern workplace,” the project’s press release stated.
Images by Bruce Damonte
