Designed by the Danish architecture office BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, The Smile made of black blasted stainless steel extends along 126th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan. Inspired by the surface of the moon and the cultural influences of the city district, the T-shaped building fits seamlessly into the surrounding red and brown brick buildings. The interlocking chessboard-like facade panels were manufactured in Cologne, Germany by POHL Facade Division. Flanked by room-high windows, The Smile aims to reflect sunlight and amplitude into the daily lives of its residents.
East Harlem, commonly referred to as “El Barrio," is a lively neighborhood with strong Puerto Rican roots. The architecture of The Smile is the result of a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary life of the district, which combines urban specifications with cultural esteem and modern design.
The Smile nestles perfectly into the surrounding streetscape. With a view of the “Main Street”, the building is located directly in the heart of the bustling district. Facing South, the residential complex rises above the existing buildings on 125th Street. Along 126th Street the building curves gently inwards - deviating from the hard linear curb of the road with an elegant sense of pliancy - appearing like a smile from above. Permissible development plans from 1916 specify a tiered facade for the design of high-rise buildings, in order to give the streets more access to wind and direct sunlight. Due to the curved front, BIG has designed the building to meet these specific criteria.
