VIA 57WEST by Jules Antonio is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
A pyramid from some angles and a spire from others, Via 57 West is an enigmatic new building in New York City. Located nearby Central Park and bearing the same proportions, only at a smaller scale, Via 57 West sports views of the Hudson River.
Danish architect BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) reveal the design in their renderings. One shows a traditional, low rectangular building and the next rendering takes one corner and raises it. The “roof” that was created by doing so is actually as tall as a handrail at its lowest point and a highrise at its tallest point! Part of the facade is cut away to create a courtyard.
Their reasoning behind this unique solution was to maximize views of the Hudson River for residents. Another benefit was to transition the building from low to high to blend in better with its surroundings.
Another concept in the structure was that of European dwellings where rooms are grouped around a courtyard. They also incorporated sustainability into the design by including methods to save water and reduce energy usage.
It was the winner of the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2016. The award goes to highrise architecture from around the world, selected for excellence in aesthetic and functional design.
