Singapore breaks ground on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), a major milestone in what promises to be one of the world’s most ambitious airport expansions (find designboom’s previous coverage here). Designed by KPF, Heatherwick Studio, and local firm architects61, the upcoming terminal is envisioned as a next-generation air hub capable of handling 50 million passengers annually. Complete with advanced automation, green design, and intuitive architecture, T5 is set to be both mega and cozy, reshaping Singapore’s global gateway as it prepares for the future of air travel. The terminal is scheduled to open in the mid-2030s, forming the centerpiece of the Changi East development, a 1,080-hectare district that merges aviation, logistics, and urban lifestyle infrastructure.

‘Inspired by the essence of Singapore, the terminal will be a place of lush greenery and characterful districts that redefine what an airport can be,’ shares Thomas Heatherwick, design director of Heatherwick Studio. ‘And instead of building another monolithic transit hub, we’re making a unique place that you’d want to travel to, rather than just travel through—one that heartily welcomes both travelers and the local community.’  

Terminal 5 is an integral part of the Changi East development | images courtesy of Changi Airport Group

curved roofs allow natural light to enter the space

At once monumental and human-centric, the terminal’s design by American architecture firm KPF, together with London- and Shanghai-based Heatherwick Studio, takes cues from Singapore’s hybrid identity, where city meets garden. A canopy of overlapping curved roofs, dubbed ‘roof leaves’, breaks the massing down into a collection of human-scale volumes, allowing natural light to flood into the interior while creating spaces that feel calm and familiar. This layered roofscape improves orientation and ambiance but also offers a spatial rhythm that reflects the airport’s broader ambition to remain globally competitive while staying rooted in Singaporean culture. ‘Too often, airports are designed as pure machines for movement—efficient but impersonal, reducing passengers to mere numbers in a system,’ notes Trent Tesch, design principal of KPF. ‘Instead, T5 is conceived as a vibrant microcity that is distinctly Singaporean — lush, layered, and deeply human. It integrates nature, cultural discovery, and moments of wonder, transforming travel from something to endure into something to enjoy. Rather than endless corridors and passive waiting, it offers spaces that engage, surprise, and delight, proving that an airport can be more than just a gateway — it can be a destination in itself.’ 

Terminal 5’s roof design is an assembly of overlapping roof leaves with varying heights

A launchpad for logistics, lifestyle, and next-gen connectivity

Functionality and flexibility drive the terminal’s next-gen DNA. State-of-the-art airport systems, automated check-ins, and contactless touchpoints are embedded throughout the space, creating a future-proofed infrastructure that can scale in response to demand or adapt to global health contingencies. Singapore Airlines will consolidate its operations here, and passengers will experience shorter walking distances, aided by a new Automated People Mover (APM) that connects T5 to Terminal 2. Wayfinding is intuitive by design, reducing the reliance on signage and encouraging stress-free navigation.

Beyond aviation, T5 is envisioned as a destination in itself. A Ground Transportation Centre will integrate train, bus, and taxi systems, enhanced by planned extensions of the Thomson-East Coast and Cross Island MRT Lines, boosting accessibility from the city. In the surrounding district, the Changi East Urban District will emerge as a new lifestyle and business zone, while the adjacent Changi East Industrial Zone reinforces Singapore’s strategic ambitions in aircraft maintenance and air cargo logistics.

the curved shapes of the roof allow natural light to fllter through

all the buildings in Terminal 5 will be connected via an automated people mover system

arriving passengers can hop onto the automated system, which will bring them to the Arrival Immigration Hall

passengers are greeted by Terminal 5’s vertical gardens

the sculpted columns and ceilings of the underground MRT station mimic rain trees

T5 will be a place of shared experiences

project info:

name: Changi Airport Terminal 5 | @changiairport

architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox, Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Changi Airport, Singapore

local partner: Architects 61 | @architects61
local sub-consultants: SAA and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers
engineers: Arup Singapore Private Limited, Mott McDonald, and Surbana Jurong
retail design: DP Architects Pte Ltd

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The architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) has unveiled its latest design for 1325 West Fulton Street, a new residential tower in Chicago’s thriving Fulton Market neighborhood. Defined by its facade of brick arches, the building’s design reflects the industrial character of the area while introducing a fresh, sophisticated presence.

1325 West Fulton Street is the first of three towers planned for a large-scale development in Chicago’s West Loop. The tower stands atop a shared podium, which will provide residents with amenities and parking services. The podium connects the towers and is interspersed with publicly accessible pocket parks, creating pedestrian-friendly entryways and breaking up the development’s mass. This thoughtful planning introduces a human scale to the project, making it more accessible and inviting.

images © Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)

Brick Arches bring historic character to 1325 west fulton st

One of the key design features of 1325 West Fulton Street is its double-height brick arches, designed by the architects at KPF with Chicago’s heritage in mind. These arches, hand-set at podium levels and precast above, establish a strong connection with the surrounding neighborhood’s industrial architecture. The arches are at once functional and stylistically distinctive, linking the new building to its historical context and offering a modern interpretation of the area’s brick-clad warehouses and factories.

Inside, the building offers spacious apartments designed to provide comfort and style. Each unit centers around an inverted bay window, which is expressed externally through a brick arch. These windows allow for ample natural light, while oversized loggias provide residents with opportunities for outdoor living and impressive views of the Chicago skyline. The design process began with the layout of the apartments, ensuring that each space was optimized for modern living.

Each apartment is designed with attention to detail. Primary bedroom suites are generously sized, while centralized kitchens and living rooms encourage open, fluid layouts. The combination of open floor plans and modern amenities invites residents to experience luxury urban living in one of Chicago’s most vibrant districts.

1325 West Fulton Street will be a new residential tower for Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood

the building’s design features rugged brick arches, reflecting the area’s industrial character

it will be the first of three planned towers in a large full-block development in the West Loop

a shared podium will provide amenities and parking for residents across all three towers

pocket parks between the towers will create pedestrian-friendly entryways and break up the massing

double-height brick arches will be hand-set at podium levels and precast above

project info:

name: 1325 West Fulton Street

architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: 1325 West Fulton St, Chicago, Illinois

client: Sulo Development | @sulodevelopment

size: 859,000 square feet (79,800 square meters)

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Standing tall in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)-designed residential tower at 520 Fifth Avenue is set to become a new landmark for the New York skyline. Developed by Rabina, a renowned New York-based real estate firm, the 1,000-foot (305-meter) tower can be recognized at once by its facade wrapped in arches, paying homage to the city’s long architectural heritage — including Beaux-Arts icons like the New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal — all through a fresh, modern lens. The glazed terracotta arches frame expansive ten-foot by ten-foot glass windows, while tiered terraces spiral up the tower. 

KPF has unveiled new images of the skyscraper‘s luxury interiors designed by Charles & Co. as residential sales have officially launched.

visualizations © Binyan Studios, Alden Studios

luxury interiors by charles & co.

Stepping inside the KPF-designed 520 Fifth Avenue, residents are greeted by a 24-hour attended lobby featuring a custom arched mosaic floor and elegant reeded walnut walls. The interiors throughout the building have been curated by Charles & Co. From residences to amenities and the private club, the spaces evoke a contemporary reading of timeless New York style.

‘Our aim for a project of this caliber was to design residential spaces that evoke a unique atmosphere, while naturally reflecting the ethos and function of the entire building,’ says Vicky Charles, founder of Charles & Co. ‘We drew inspiration from 520 Fifth’s iconic surrounding environment to capture the glamour of NYC’s past with infusions of contemporary sensibilities. The interiors at 520 Fifth are both welcoming and glamorous, defying traditional expectations for a home in the sky of New York City.’

residences open onto gardened outdoor space as tiered terraces spiral up the tower

The light-filled residences at 520 Fifth Avenue open broadly out toward the city through KPF’s expansive arched windows. With high ceilings, ranging from ten feet to over fourteen feet, the spaces are curated with wide-plank white oak floors, adding warmth to the lofty rooms. Kitchens feature top-of-the-line appliances, ribbed walnut islands, and quartzite slab countertops and backsplashes. Meanwhile, bathrooms offer a spa-like experience with marble countertops, herringbone marble flooring, and polished nickel fixtures. One- to four-bedroom homes occupy the tower’s top forty stories, providing residences of all sizes access to the building’s highest floors with views across both the East River and the Hudson and beyond. The 88th floor houses a residents-only amenity floor, featuring a glass-walled solarium, lounge, dining room, library, and game room.

Fifth Avenue’s tallest residential tower is backdropped by the Empire State Building

‘Our design for 520 Fifth Avenue places residential and office space above a club function within a 1,000-foot-tall tower,‘ explains James von Klemperer, KPF President and Design Principal. ‘The building steps back following the zoning envelope, echoing Hugh Ferris’ architectural visions of 1920’s New York. The massing is further articulated by arched window modules inspired by neighborhood landmarks… These arches convey a sense of warmth well suited to the welcoming character of spaces within the building.’

the lobby is accessed through a double-height entry portico

the homes’ high ceilings range from ten feet to over fourteen feet

kitchens feature ribbed walnut islands and quartzite slab countertops

the architecture is inspired by the city’s heritage and looks to the future

project info:

project title: 520 Fifth Avenue | @520fifthnyc

architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: 520, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

interior design: Charles & Co. | @charlesandcostudio

developer: Rabina | @rabina.llc

visualizations: © Alden Studios | @alden.studios & Binyan Studios | @binyanstudios

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Signaling a major step forward in the UAE’s aviation infrastructure, the Abu Dhabi International Airport has been officially re-named as Zayed International Airport, Terminal A. Entirely designed and executed by architecture studio Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Terminal A exemplifies cutting-edge design and performance which promising to double the airport‘s capacity and enhance the experience for travelers. With its sculptural rooftop, the architecture is inspired by the undulating sand dunes of the desert and the intricate geometric patterns of Islamic heritage. Elevated above the ground like a plateau, its interiors cast a luminous silhouette against the horizon, serving as a beacon for travelers along the UAE‘s Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway. The integration of roads and landscape guide passengers towards the terminal’s grand entrance with its fifty-meter-tall, free-standing glazed facade.

images © Victor Romero

zayed international airport: the future of travel

The Departure Hall at Zayed International Airport, Terminal A is a monumental fifty-meter-high column-free expanse designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). The lofty space exudes an open, outdoor ambiance accentuated by atmospheric lighting. Sculptural features such as the supporting arches, visually detached from the roof, impart an illusion of weightlessness to the expansive ceiling. Despite its monumental scale, the design balances functionality with aesthetic appeal, featuring landmarks like the Sana Al Nour, the Feature Staircase, and the sculptural Shell, which serve both as orientation points and architectural delights along the passenger journey.

Zayed International Airport’s Terminal A, designed by KPF, doubles Abu Dhabi’s capacity

inside the sculptural terminal

Drawing inspiration from traditional Islamic architecture, an art installation dubbed Sana Al Nour illuminates the terminal. Crafted in collaboration with Carpenter | Lowings and the design team, this indoor art installation stands as one of the largest in the Middle East, featuring 1,632 individual curved leaves of translucent glass that channel light and air from the Departures to the Arrivals Hall.

Elevating the arrival experience, the Feature Staircase offers passengers panoramic views over the central space, linking the arrival corridor with the Arrivals Hall. This sculptural stair sets the tone for a journey into Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the terminal’s commitment to both design and function.

the terminal’s architecture is inspired by desert dunes and Islamic heritage

Serving as the culmination of the passenger journey, the Shell exemplifies artistic innovation at Zayed International Airport, Terminal A. Its exterior, composed of glass with a fading frit pattern, transitions seamlessly into a three-dimensional sculpture within, echoing the wayfinding patterns prevalent throughout the terminal. Through an interplay of materials and textures, the Shell offers a visually captivating finale to the Zayed International Airport experience.

Terminal A’s adaptable design anticipates future changes in air travel

Jens Hardvendel, Director, Kohn Pedersen Fox comments: ‘We were driven by focussing on customer experience and comfort while creating the most efficient building form. The X-shaped plan provides the greatest programmatic efficiencies, reducing the average walking distance between points for those leaving, arriving, or transferring from Terminal A.’

cutting-edge biometric solutions and advanced technology ensure a stress-free journey for passengers

Mustafa Chehabeddine, Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox continues: ‘Airport requirements are in a constant state of flux, as technology and security change. As designers we must address the need to adapt within the physical constraints of a terminal. At Terminal A, unprecedented flexibility is created by replacing columns with mega arches. The ideal form was researched using the latest technologies in modelling and structural engineering, to discover the optimum plan, spans, and layout. This solution produces some of the largest spans ever built in interior environments.’

with an average walking time of twelve minutes, Terminal A prioritizes passenger convenience and efficiency

the monumental Departure Hall boasts a column-free expanse centered by a Sana Al Nour art piece

inside the terminal are architectural landmarks like the Sana Al Nour art piece and a Feature Staircase

project info:

project title: Zayed International Airport, Terminal A

architecture, interiors: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

structural engineering: Arup, Naco

photography: © Victor Romero | @vromerophoto

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Miami, a rapidly growing city known lately for its diverse and innovative architecture, is about to welcome Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)‘s ‘Tower 36’ to its skyline. The luxury high-rise office building, developed by One Thousand Group together with architect of record ODP Architecture & Design, has just received unanimous approval to be realized in the heart of Miami’s Design District. This upcoming skyscraper will further redefine the city’s urban fabric and contribute to the area’s evolution into a mixed-use neighborhood. Rising 635 feet and covering 922,000-square-feet, it will become the tallest building in the neighborhood, promising sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

images © Atchain, courtesy KPF

the tapered tower by kohn pedersen fox (kpf)

One of the defining features of Miami’s Tower 36 is its glass facade, which the architects at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) design to gracefully reveal terraces on every office floor. This arrangement creates a visual sense of movement and activity across the building, inviting occupants to connect with their surroundings and enjoy enhanced views. Accentuated by light bronze soffit accents, these outdoor spaces will provide tenants with an elevated office experience that celebrates the natural beauty of Miami’s sunny, coastal landscape.

KPF Design Principal Robert Whitlock comments: ‘The architectural language of the tower utilizes an elegant, tapered form, sculpted to reveal outdoor terrace floors in a geometry that conveys a sense of activity and motion.’ 

as the tallest building in the neighborhood, Tower 36 will be a prominent addition to Miami’s evolving urban fabric

the urban garden at tower 36

Complementing the office floors above, the podium of KPF’s Tower 36 will host a curated selection of retail spaces. This podium will offer bicycle and car parking for tenants, and will be capped by a rooftop restaurant experience amidst carefully landscaped gardens. Moreover, the multi-story office amenity space boasts equally striking terraces that open up to breathtaking views of the bay and Downtown Miami. Unlike the strict, angular corners which define its neighbors, the podium of Tower 36 embraces gentle curves throughout its design. The northwest corner is intentionally truncated, revealing an arrival court with a naturally lit open-air oculus at the entrance to the office lobby.

a facade of aluminum panels and sculpted metal fins conveys a sense of motion

The podium’s facade, with its layered pattern of aluminum panels, suggests a sense of motion while naturally ventilating the parking garage within. The metal fins on the wall, a nod to Miami’s ubiquitous palm trees, feature a dual-toned design with a warm copper interior and a silver exterior. Geometric apertures thoughtfully inserted into the podium wall elevations at specific locations are designed to showcase the works of local and renowned artists, further enhancing the building’s connection with the artistic community of Miami Design District.

drivers arrive to the entrance lobby beneath a naturally lit, open-air oculus

‘New York-based KPF was the logical choice for design architect of our newest planned tower, creating for Miami a true New York-caliber, Class-A luxury office tower, which currently does not exist in the market,’ said Kevin Venger, Co-Founder of Miami-based One Thousand Group. ‘KPF is on the leading edge of high- rise office design in major business centers around the globe. In the past decade, Miami has grown to become one of these global cities and needs office product that keeps up with the latest market trends in order to be competitive in attracting companies to headquarter in Miami.

‘The project’s location at the intersection of Biscayne Boulevard and 36th Street marks the northern entrance to Miami’s high-rise district. The building is positioned as a true gateway to the city and its Edgewater neighborhood immediately adjacent to Miami’s Design District. Tower 36 also defines the entrance to the Julia Tuttle Causeway (I-195), which serves as the main point of access from Miami’s mainland to the heart of Miami Beach.’

the tower’s massing is shaped by graceful curves, departing from the typical angular corners of its neighbors

the glass facade and outdoor terraces of Tower 36 open toward sweeping views of Biscayne Bay

project info:

project title: Tower 36

design architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

architect of record: ODP Architecture & Design | @odparchitects

developer: One Thousand Group | @onethousand_group

visualizations: © Atchain | @atchain, courtesy KPF

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Crowning Dubai‘s Jumeirah Palm Island, Atlantis The Royal has reached completion to become a new icon for the city. Designed by New York-based architecture practice Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the ambitious project is sited just down the shoreline from its sister project, the famous Atlantis, The Palm resort. It will introduce a luxury resort hotel, seventeen celebrity-led restaurants and bars, a 22nd floor infinity pool, and even the world’s largest jellyfish aquarium. 

While the architecture has reached completion, the hotel is slated to open its doors to guests in 2023. Bookings have already opened for those eager to reserve a night in one of the hotel’s 795 rooms, with stays beginning at $850 a night (€870 EUR). 

images courtesy Kohn Pedersen Fox

inside the extravagant hotel

The architects at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) design Atlantis The Royal as a sweeping stack of massive blocks, resembling a monumental wall of bricks. Together, these stacks form six interconnected towers with an impressive sky-bridge at the twenty-second floor, where an infinity pool stretches 295 feet (90 meters) alongside an ‘entertainment experience’ dubbed Cloud 22. This rooftop nightlife venue hosts a swim-up bar, a vaulted DJ booth, and a collection of VIP cabanas.

The resort hotel‘s most prized rooms are the forty-four luxury suites and penthouses, each with its own private infinity pool.

project info:

project title: Atlantis The Royal | @atlantistheroyal

architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: Jumeirah Palm Island, Dubai, UAE

The post with extravagant bridging towers, dubai’s newest ultra-luxury resort completes appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) unveils the design of its Waterline tower, which has just broken ground in downtown Austin. Upon its completion in late 2026, the project will become the tallest tower in the state of Texas and the growing city’s first supertall skyscraper. Rising 74 stories and 1,022 feet, it will include 352 luxury apartments, 700,000 square feet of office space, and a 251-room 1 Hotel Austin — the hospitality brand’s first location in the state. What’s more, the group is targeting LEED Gold certification throughout the building.

The project is being developed by partners Lincoln Property Company (LPC) and Kairoi Residential. It marks the third high-rise in downtown Austin that LPC has co-developed and broken ground on over the last three years, showing the group’s impact on the rapidly expanding capital city.

view of Waterline overlooking the river | image by WAX

kpf unveils waterline: the tallest tower in texas

The design team at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) adds the Waterline tower in Austin, Texas to its larger body of work which includes New York’s 55 Hudson Yards and One Vanderbilt towers. With sweeping views across the city, the architecture will take shape with floor-to-ceiling windows, native stone, and warm textures. Along the vibrant ground level, the architects plan 24,000 square feet of public retail and restaurant space overlooking Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway. These spaces are separated from the waterline by a floodplain forest which will preserve the natural experience and walking trails.

sculptural columns will lift the tower’s base thirty feet above the street to create a two-story canopy | image by WAX

inside the luxury skyscraper

1 Hotel Austin will occupy 13 floors just above the ground floor | image by Atchain
the mixed-use building will include a 1 Hotel, office, and residential uses | image by Atchain

a grand staircase extending west from the paseo will connect to a public area | image by Atchain

rising 1,022 feet, Waterline will become the tallest tower in Texas when it opens in 2026 | image by Atchain

two new pedestrian bridges over Waller Creek connect to two floors of restaurant and retail space | image by WAX

a 14th-floor amenity deck will feature 24,000 square feet of landscaped outdoor space | image by WAX

project info:

project title: Waterline

architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: 98 Red River Street, Austin, Texas

hospitality: 1 Hotel

visualizations: Atchain, WAX

The post KPF designs supertall ‘waterline’ in austin to become tallest skyscraper in texas appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and Heatherwick Studio reveal the first visualizations of their newly designed terminal for Singapore‘s Changi Airport. The existing airport is most widely known as the Jewel, with its design by Safdie Architects housing the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Now, the upcoming Terminal 5 will introduce what the architects describe as a ‘bold re-imagination of the airport experience,’ becoming as a social extension of the city rather than a disconnected facility solely for the processing of travelers.

Like the rest of the airport, the new terminal will take shape as a collection of micro-villages at a human-scale which will be infused with lush plant-life. Even with this innovative organization, the terminal will be capable of welcoming 50 million more passengers annually. It will be well-connected to the rest of Singapore, with a dedicated ground transportation center where passengers can access rail, bus, and other transportation.

images courtesy Changi Airport Group

‘airport as a city’ by heatherwick studio and kpf

The partnership in Singapore between Kohn Pedersen Fox (see here)  and Heatherwick Studio (see here) will lead to a new typology, dubbed ‘airport as a city.’ The concept for Changi Airport‘s Terminal 5 will stand as a new district, continuing the Singapore’s lush landscape and active urban scale. The project will ‘elevate the airport experience for both travelers and Singaporeans alike.’

The team explains: ‘Drawing on lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, T5 is designed with the flexibility to operate as smaller sub-terminals when needed, with space that could be converted for use during contingencies, such as for testing operations or the segregation of high-risk passengers.’

sustainable design in singapore

Changi Airport’s new Terminal 5 by KPF and Heatherwick Studio will seek a Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification from the Building and Construction Authority. The group explains: ‘To reduce its carbon footprint, solar panels; smart building management systems; and district cooling combined with thermal energy storage will be deployed.

‘T5 will also be ready for environmentally friendly solutions such as providing fixed ground power and cooling, as well as viable alternative fuels including the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel for aircraft.’

project info:

project title: Changi Airport Terminal 5 | @changiairport

architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), @kohnpedersenfox | Heatherwick Studios, @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Changi Airport, Singapore

local partner: Architects 61
local sub-consultants: SAA and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers
engineers: Arup Singapore Private Limited, Mott McDonald, and Surbana Jurong
retail design: DP Architects Pte Ltd

The post KPF and heatherwick studio to extend singapore airport as cluster of lush ‘neighborhoods’ appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

SUMMIT one vanderbilt — the immersive four-level observatory at new york’s one vanderbilt skyscraper — opens to the public this week on 21st of october, 2021. set on the top floors of the kohn pedersen fox (KPF)-designed tower, the project will feature three sky-high levels: transcendence, an euphoric multisensory experience which is the first chapter of air, an art installation conceived by kenzo digital; a set of outdoor glass elevators soaring the tallest exterior vantage point in manhattan’s midtown; and an snøhetta-designed nordic-themed lounge and café. 

designboom previewed SUMMIT one vanderbilt ahead of its opening and spoke with kenzo digital, designer of the observatory’s immersive and ethereal experience ‘air.’ kenzo describes the spirit of the design: ‘the story is about you as the as the protagonist, your relationship to nature, your relationship to new york city, and more importantly, your relationship to yourself. it’s a very contemplative and surreal experience. it’s a kind of nature experience that is translated in new york city.‘

the observatory is opening to the public on the 21st of october, 2021
images courtesy of SL green

the mirrored observatory

the observatory at SUMMIT one vanderbilt is an endless, mirrored experience that multiplies new york city into dizzying infinity. the space certainly nods to the genius works of yayoi kusama — while conventional observatories invite visitors to view outward, ‘air’ at SUMMIT has visitors gazing into the floor and ceiling as well. here, the city is translated into a surreal dreamscape. walking along the vast, mirrored surface, viewers feel as though they may fall into the glassy depths.

the project will feature three sky-high attractions

the highest views of new york city

as visitors circle through the multi-leveled installation atop SUMMIT one vanderbilt, they are met with a set of levitation boxes. here, one might step out from the envelope of the building and stand on transparent glass which seems to float 1,063 feet above madison avenue.

toward the end of the experience visitors board ascent, an all glass elevator with a transparent glass floor. the elevator’s only destination in upwards — soaring upward from the terrace level and 1,200 feet (364 meters) up the side of the building until it finally nests at the highest viewpoint in midtown manhattan.

an outdoor terrace with the highest urban alpine meadow in the western hemisphere

an immersive mirror-clad experience designed by kenzo digital

the levitation boxes allow guests to step out from the envelope of the building

you can buy your tickets here

project info:

name: ‘air’ at summit one vanderbilt
location: new york city, NY
client: SL green realty corporation, 420 lexington avenue, new york, NY 10170

art installations: kenzo digital

interior design: snøhetta

The post kenzo digital’s hybrid infinity room + observatory opens this week at SUMMIT one vanderbilt appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

in downtown vancouver, kohn pedersen fox (KPF) and executive architect adamson associates architects will realize one of the tallest exposed hybrid mass timber office buildings in north america. dubbed ‘burrard exchange,’ the project will reach a height of 260 feet and will help to preserve the legacy of the ‘bentall centre’ as the city’s premier office complex. the new project will include 16 stories of light-filled, loft-like workspaces and retail. upon its completion, burrard exchange’s building operations will be 100% carbon neutral.

the project is expected to create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, with construction beginning as soon as early 2023.

images courtesy of hudson pacific properties/KPF

a timber celebration of sustainability

for the innovative design in vancouver, the architects at KPF make use of mass timber, typically reserved for low-rise structures. the result is a state-of-the-art green office tower, reducing the building’s embodied carbon. the mass timber is also a key design feature, seeking to be unencapsulated and exposed, highlighting and celebrating the project’s sustainable aspirations. the design prioritizes both indoor and outdoor spaces to enhance connections to nature from within the building and meet growing demand for high-function outdoor areas and access to fresh air. replacing one of the site’s existing parkades, the development will include amenities and retail space to service the entire campus and the public.

the burrard exchange is unveiled by hudson pacific properties, operator and joint owner of bentall centre in partnership with blackstone real estate. 

carbon neutrality

the team at KPF notes the relatively low manufacturing carbon footprint of wood compared to other materials, and that it is the only material that can remove carbon from the atmosphere over its lifetime. the project represents hudson pacific’s first mass timber development and will build on the momentum of other recently announced mass timber projects in british columbia. throughout the entitlement process, hudson pacific will work collaboratively with the city of vancouver to gain support and approval for this innovative use of exposed mass timber.

project info:

project title: burrard exchange

architecture: kohn pedersen fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

executive architect: adamson associates architects

location: bentall centre, downtown vancouver

developers: hudson pacific properties, blackstone real estate

status: construction beginning early 2023

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