Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Blue Residential Tower by Bernard Tschumi

Blue Residential Tower © Flickr- username: wallyg
Blue Residential Tower © Flickr- username: Scott Beale

Blue Residential Tower © Flickr- username: watz

Blue Residential Tower © Flickr- username: orijinal

     The building's base occupies a lot zoned for residential use and cantilevers over an existing building designated for commercial use. The slightly angled walls facing the street and rear yard artfully negotiate the varying setback rules, crossing the line between the commercial and residential zoning districts. The sloped top of the building integrates the zoning district's two sky exposure plane requirements. The cantilever over the commercial space on the southern portion of the building is also angled from base to top, thus enlarging the size of the units located on the upper floors, which have stunning views of Lower Manhattan from river to river. This strategy also maximizes the amount of allowable residential square footage. The pixelated facades reflect both the internal arrangement of spaces and the multi-faceted character of the neighborhood below.
     The building consists of 32 residences ranging from one- and two-bedroom units near the base to full-floor units with large terraces higher up, crowned by a duplex penthouse. The sloped window wall is a feature of many units. All units have full-height windows in the living and dining rooms. The apartments are outfitted with sustainable materials, including bamboo floors and wall panels, palm flooring, and river-pebble bathroom tiles. BLUE also recycles unused space on top of a neighboring commercial structure as an urban garden that provides communal space for residents and guests and broad views of the Williamsburg Bridge.
                                               Cit. Bernard Tschumi Architects ( New York, 2004-2007 )

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