Sprawling 1.5-acre green roof tops new NYC Department of Sanitation complex

A pair of striking new landmarks on the West Side Highway are now officially open for business. Designed by <a href="http://www.dattner.com/" target="_blank">Dattner Architects</a> in collaboration with <a href="http://www.wxystudio.com/" target="_blank">WXY Architecture</a>, the new ultra-green Department of Sanitation complex is bursting with sustainable features such as a double-skin insulating facade and an impressive 1.5-acre <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/green-roof/" target="_blank">green roof</a>. Located along the Hudson River on Spring Street, the two innovative buildings consist of a LEED Gold-seeking garage-and-office structure and a striking crystal-shaped salt shed.

The complex, which contains a salt shed and a garage, was specifically designed for LEED Gold certification has a number of impressive sustainable features such as a double skin facade, made up of a glass curtain wall and covered with 2,600 custom perforated-metal fins that reduce solar heat gain and glare.

At the south-facing Personnel Areas and the Repair Bays on the west side of the building, the fins are operable and move according to the sun's location throughout the day.

Designed by Dattner Architects, the garage was built to accommodate over 150 sanitation vehicles, personnel facilities for three districts, as well as centralized fueling, truck wash, and repair facilities. <em>(Image via Michael Anton)</em>

The space also provides office space, lockers and dining areas for over 200 employees. In addition to its multiple green features, the garage was designed to be a benchmark for the city's Active Design program, which promotes health and wellness through design principles.

Additionally, harvested rainwater from the roof is collected and reused as graywater for washing the building and sanitation trucks.

One of the most impressive features of the project is the building's 1.5-acre green roof that was built to improve storm water retention and thermal performance as well as to provide a more aesthetically pleasing view from the surrounding buildings.

Thanks to the fins on the exterior, the interior is blocked from direct sun, but allows for an optimal amount of natural light.

The office and garage space was designed to promote health and wellness for its employees.