High Line 23 / Neil M. Denari Architects

Jul 2009

By Amber P — Filed under: Housing , Mixed Use, Neil M. Denari Architects, New York, USA

Architect: Neil M. Denari Architects
Location: New York, USA
Principal in charge: Neil Denari
Project Architect: Duks Koschitz
Project Designer: Stefano Paiocchi
Project team: Carmen Cham, Alex Janowsky, Philipp Traexler, David Aguilo, Steven Epley, Paola Vezzulli, Joe Willendra
Collaborating Architect: Marc Rosenbaum Architects
Structural engineers: Desimone Consulting Engineers
Lighting design: TWS & Partners
Façade Consultant: Front
Interior design: Thomas Juul-Hansen
Lighting design: Lighting Design Alliance
MEP Engineering: Ambrosino, DePinto & Schmieder Consulting Engineers
Construction Management: Bovis Lend Lease LMB
Land area: 352.5 sqm
Constructed area: 3,642 sqm
Status: Under Construction
Images: Neil Denari Architects

The West Side High Line in New York City is a continuous elevated bridge structure that will become, over the next ten years, a unique linear urban park. Designed by Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the High Line Park will advance a merger between various urban ecologies both found and implanted. By definition, the High Line has created new relationships between building mass and, in certain local situations, has engendered new forms of urban infill, far different than simple mid-block party wall scenarios. Where the High Line passes through the Chelsea Arts District at 23rd Street, one of these unique site conditions exists. It is here that NMDA has been commissioned by developer Alf Naman to produce a slim-fit, 14 story building for ground floor galleries and 12 condo-lofts rising next to the High Line. This structure is precisely shaped by a confluence of forces, that also like the High Line Park, are a combination of both found and implanted ecologies.

Consisting of one condominium per floor, the main living areas and views are oriented toward the south, while the east façade facing the high line is formed as a sculptural surface with smaller windows allowing privacy and framed views across Manhattan. A curtain wall of glass and stainless steel panels hangs on a complex cantilevered steel frame, generating expression within systematic economy. Since the building sits in the middle of the Arts District, it attempts to deliver a commercially viable, highly crafted object that can take its place among the art shown in the nearby galleries.

HL23 is seeking a LEED-certified gold rating.

: plans 01

: plans 02

: elevations

: sections

: details

: one unit perspective

: corner section perspective

23 comments »

Comitant says:

Sensuous shape and frame…I just hope the developer doesn’t skimp on operable windows.

# July 21, 2009 at 13:08

PanamArq says:

so cool! I love the relationship with the highline. Why is the shot of the front facade missing??

# July 21, 2009 at 13:11

Tim Harris aka The Big Black & White Zebra says:

Now that the mainstream has found the wonderful Architecture of Neil Dinari… let’s hope he can keep it fresh, respond to context and client. Something Liebeskind and Hadid have failed to do…

# July 21, 2009 at 13:37

hbchbc says:

Nice project!
But, seeking LEED Gold with that much of glass. Good luck on that.

# July 21, 2009 at 14:00

Fino says:

I had the fortunate opportunity to see Dinari give a lecture at my school. The lecture ended with one of my professors commenting on the naked south and west facing glazing, thus having Dinari admit of how unsustainable his projects are. Poor fella. I still like his work though.

that is all.

# July 21, 2009 at 14:21

Peter Guthrie says:

Images are by Hayes Davidson… even the big boys don’t get properly credited it seems

# July 21, 2009 at 15:06

patentpolice says:

Great work, more impressive that someone committed to developing this in NYC. Responds well to the High Line, and improves the High Line itself by cantilevering over it. Whoever in the NYC Dept of Planning allowed this zoning envelope to occur should be given recognition, as should the developer for taking the risk.

Floor plans are better and more interesting than the cookie cutter glass boxes built recently. This is the only residential building in NY I’m aware of with glazing that slopes outward.

My only issue is that the diagonal bracing shown in renderings is actually fritting, a painted expression of the structure that resides in back of the glazing. Hancock Tower it is not.

Continues the trend that the most interesting buildings being built (and proposed) in Manhattan are mid-sized: Sanaa’s New Museum, H&deM’s 40 Bond, Austrian Cultural Forum in midtown, OMA’s proposed residential tower in Flatiron area.

# July 21, 2009 at 15:08

yellow and pink polka-dot goat says:

This project does an amazing job of juggling the complex requirements of building on a site adjacent to the High Line. It sought an amazing number of additional city variances in order to expand the square footage and create the intriguing form of the building. It is a shame that none of the drawings or descriptions of these steps are listed here (Denari often shows this during his lectures) since these elements are just as fantastic as the aesthetic qualities of the project. The fact that they are not mentioned here serves to underscore the humble nature of Denari’s practice. Despite his amazing ability to tackle extremely complex problems and turn them into opportunities, he will allow his work to speak for itself without the (in this case) extremely interesting backstory.

# July 21, 2009 at 15:26

Dark hair Guy says:

I like the trick of sticker or sand blast on the glass, hiding the structure from street level, portraying a nice clean structure. I think that is a smart move.

# July 21, 2009 at 16:09

StructureHub Blog says:

Incredible; it didn’t fall victim to the common trade-offs of detail instead of overall composition, fadish instead of timeless, etc. It’s off-kilter stance is a swell way to engage the High Line without intruding insensitively upon its vibe.

Neil Denari, et al also deserve much praise for showing that glass-walled buildings can still be entirely unique from their similarly-clad brethren. Well done.

# July 21, 2009 at 16:14

tropicalismo360 says:

It’s great to see Neil building the kind of thing that we have been seeing from him unrealised for years. Good luck!

# July 21, 2009 at 17:19

homer says:

hey guys, lets see the building built first eh. talking aout it’s great detailing when it is just now being framed…

I really like the building / renders, does anyone know if this project is on hold? same with and Ban’s condos down the street? any updated info would be nice :) thx

# July 21, 2009 at 17:22

simon says:

Simply exelent in all senses it looks that we are already living in the future, LEED is a plus

# July 21, 2009 at 17:30

b says:

i was just wondering what program they are using to render those images, they are very convincing.

# July 21, 2009 at 22:48

Bo says:

Goodlooking!
But what about:
1. Fireproof between floors.
2. What about stairs? there is a door between floor slabs at the section?

ps sorry for grammatical mistakes ^-^

# July 22, 2009 at 03:34

joe shome says:

no its not on hold. a friend of mine who works for Front is working on it.

# July 22, 2009 at 10:48

Benjamin says:

As someone who lives in Chelsea right down the block (and is also an architecture student) and sees this construction daily, it’s nice to see that I at least enjoy the outcome. Those Renders are also very nice, and very convincing. I’m glad one of these new buildings going up is going to be decent.

# July 22, 2009 at 12:15

khalouk says: