Andy Song
The Spiral, BIG's first completed supertall (>300 meters), is an oxymoron of a building: blending into New York City's majestic skyline while standing out just enough to draw attention. Taking inspiration from the style of other skyscrapers (ex. Rockefeller Center) in the Big Apple, The Spiral introduces a titular, eye-catching element in its form, which not only doesn’t detract from but actually adds to its function.
Design Features
"The Spiral combines the classic Ziggurat silhouette of the premodern skyscraper with the slender proportions and efficient layouts of the modern high-rise. Designed for the people who occupy it... the string of terraces wrapping around the building expands the daily life of the tenants to the outside air and light."
Abiding by BIG's design philosophy of sustainable hedonism, The Spiral's "ascending ribbon" of terraces grant users numerous penthouse-esque view of the bustling Manhattan scene. Every terrace is lined with greenery in the form of hanging gardens and foliage. This allows for every floor to have outdoor terrace space, albeit very little.
As shown above, each terrace interacts with the floors above and below. The strong aesthetic choice to mark the top of the climbing "ribbon" with an offset from the building's facade gives the ribbon a distinct form.
LEED Certification
The Spiral is LEED Certified Gold under the BD+C: Core & Shell rating system, applying to projects where the developer only has control over the construction of the building's core (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection) and shell (outer envelope).
The Spiral scores highly on its certification scorecard due to its advantageous location in the heart of New York City. However, as a new development, it was unable to earn points related to repurposing/reusing old, existing infrastructure. The project excelled in managing water efficiency and indoor environmental quality, but fell short in optimizing energy performance (which I partly accredit to not using enough renewable energy) and in its stormwater/wastewater systems.
Personal Takes
When we see greenery on a building, like the distinctive ribbon of terraces on The Spiral, we often associate it with sustainability and nature. But what does this greenery truly add to the building's value, beyond its "green aesthetics"?
One main argument is that greenery on a building's surfaces compensates for the greenery that would have existed on the land the building now occupies. However, this compensation is nowhere near enough to offset the building's environmental impact. A building should be judged by its interactions with the surrounding environment, which systems like LEED certification help put into perspective. While The Spiral's greenery builds its aesthetic and gives the terraces a fresh atmosphere, its LEED Certification speaks louder to its success in achieving the goals sustainability.
Commentaires