One Jackson Square

What were the circumstances of receiving the commission for this project?

The project was a response to an RFP. The new building is located at the northern edge of Jackson Square, at the convergence of Greenwich and Eighth Avenues, where opposing street grids collide to create a six-sided, wedge-shaped project site spanning two different zoning districts.

Can you describe your design process for the building?

The process involved a heavy community group outreach program and required a Landmarks Preservation Commission certificate of approval since the site falls within a historic district. The complex massing of the building was a given from the zoning volume of the site. We could have revised the zoning volume and proposed something else but it would have meant a longer urban review process. The as-of-right form proved difficult to fenestrate so we developed an undulating wall strategy that allowed us to unify the disparate form.

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

The building is much smaller in scale to most of the projects in our office. Just as Greenwich Village has historically been home to an eclectic mix of artists and residents over the years, the neighborhood is also characterized by great architectural diversity and a prevailing intimacy of scale.

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural trends, be it sustainability, technology, etc.?

The building has achieved a LEED Silver Certification rating through water harvesting, green roofs, day lighting and high performance glazing. A series of green roofs establishes a connection to the context by bringing the public realm of Jackson Square Park into the private realm of the building.

E-mail interview conducted by John Hill