New Gensler Office Is LEED Silver-Certified

The architectural firm’s New York City office is third in the state to be certified LEED Silver in commercial interiors category. Also, New Yorker Hotel receives facelift.

Gensler Goes Green

The New York office of the Gensler architectural firm is the first in Rockefeller Center to receive LEED Silver certification.

Located at 1230 Avenue of the Americas on the 15th and 16th floors, the 66,000-sq ft office is only the third project in New York State to receive certification in the category of Commercial Interiors.

The office was previously located at One Rockefeller Center, but the group decided to move to create the “green” office from scratch. “Designing [a LEED-CI certified building] with new construction is one thing, but doing it in an existing building is another,” said Robin Klehr Avia, Managing Principal for Gensler.

A major priority in design was integrating materials that synergize with natural light, which minimizes energy consumption, according to Joseph Lauro, senior associate at Gensler. Low workstations, minimal shading devices, no perimeter architectural elements and open meeting spaces were all included in the design to reinforce natural light use.

But when energy was required, Gensler chose energy-efficient appliances.

“Anything that has a plug load in our office is Energy STAR-rated,” said Lauro.

Environmentally-sensitive furnishings were made from recycled content or by means of green production practices and low-emitting VOC paints, adhesives, sealants and laminates were also used throughout the office. To ensure best air quality, all air distribution systems were protected from dust and debris during construction and were flushed for two weeks prior to occupancy. Environmentally-safe cleaning products are used in housekeeping and maintenance. The firm also takes a strong stand on “creative recycling” by reusing construction drawings as sketchpads. The lunchroom has natural wood certified by The Forest Stewardship Council and instead of doors on closets, Gensler used black curtains to save space.

Displayed on the two floors are rotating art exhibits, which at the end of each, Gensler buys a piece for the office. Currently, the Art Students League of New York is on exhibit.

Gensler spent approximately 24 weeks on the fit-out, followed by completing construction and design in October 2006. The consulting team that joined Gensler was Shen Milsom & Wilke as acoustic consultants, T& R Woodworks and William Somerville for millwork, HDLC for lighting, AMA Consulting Engineers as well as Lehr Construction as the general contractor.

Operating just under a year as a “green” office, Gensler has already seen a few benefits.

“Electrical energy right now is at a 10-to-15% return and we anticipate an even greater return by this year’s end,” Lauro explained. Gensler also utilized water-saving fixtures, which have produced more than 30% savings on water usage.

True to its leadership in sustainable design, Gensler uses its new LEED-CI certified office as a model by providing an “eco-tour” for clients and students.
“Our focus on reduction of energy has been inspiring to our clients. They appreciate that we achieved our goal of sustainability without bending into a granola design,” said Lauro

Meanwhile, Gensler is on the road to becoming all-green. At the sister New York location on Wall Street, Lauro said the firm used the same LEED strategies in design. The Houston, Texas office recently registered with U.S. Green Building Council to become certified.

Architect Turns Preservationist

Architect Kevin Kennon’s latest project is not only a unique building design, but also a historical revitalization.

After a long approval process, NYC Planning Commission and NYC Landmark Preservation Commission granted the architect and owners, 157 Hudson, LLC permission to renovate, restore and enlarge the historic American Express Stables in Tribeca.

Located at 157 Hudson Street, the stables are bordered by Hudgson, Laight and Collister Streets and have been vacant for the last two years. The building once housed Alexander Calder’s studios and a number of nightclubs. Originally constructed in 1866, the American Express company used the stables to deliver packages and telegraphs via stagecoaches.

Kennon will turn an abandoned three-story building into a five-story, 75,000 square foot, multi-family luxury complex with 17 lofts and a duplex penthouse. Kennon also added 20,000 square feet to the original building. The lofts will span approximately 3,000 square feet each and the penthouse will be 4,500 sq ft. To ensure privacy, the penthouse will be set back from the parapet to remain hidden from the ground and the nearby Holland Tunnel. The setback will allow for 8,000 square feet of outdoor and garden terrace space.

The architect and owners will also change the address of the building to Collister Street “for a charming effect and to give it a more European feel,” said Kennon. The new street is appealing for its cobblestone, explained Kennon.

One of the most important parts of the design to the architect was the use of light. He focused on placing “a series of glass volumes” throughout the fifth floor to illuminate the structure. “If you group them all together to form an ice cube house, they appear like a diverse skyline. There are only a few places that have that feature, which was our direct inspiration,” said Kennon.

During the excavation and renovation process, historic signs, stonework and piping from the original stables were found and will be incorporated into the building’s new design. The stables also had wooden joists made of pine in 1898, which will be recycled into the flooring of the new lofts. “We will retain most of the exterior and only replace the windows.

Although Kennon does not normally chose renovation as his primary design aspect, he occasionally is called in to “retrofit buildings and design additions,” he explained. Kennon’s other famous rehabilitation project was Sothebys the premier auction house in New York.

The construction, which began in the fall of 2006, is being handled by Foundations Group and is slated for completion in 2008.

The New Yorker Hotel: Refreshed and Revitalized

The West Side of Manhattan is getting much attention these days.

With both the Hudson Yards and the Jacob Javits Convention Center redeveloping and expanding, the New Yorker Hotel seems to have picked an appropriate time to jump on the renovation bandwagon.

“Our goal is to keep pace with the tremendous development taking place on the West Side,” said Thomas McCaffrey, Director of Sales and Marketing for the New Yorker Hotel.

The hotel, located on 8th Avenue in Midtown, was last revamped in 2000, but previous work does not compare to what the hotel has in store for this renovation. The $65 million project involves both exterior and interior work, redesigning over 6,400 square feet of lobby and ground floor space, as well as complete overhaul of 910 guest rooms.

A new heating and air conditioning system a four-pipe HVAC will be installed, along with new furniture, carpets, wallpaper and fixtures in the guest rooms and hallways. The lobby of the hotel will also undergo a complete redesign, while the faade, signage and marquee work will be renovated, as well. Guest services will also be a priority as the hotel is upgrading to free Wi-Fi service, better television programming and refurbishment of the hotel’s restaurants La Vigna Ristorante & Bar and Tick Tock Diner.

“Custom fixtures in every room will resemble Hollywood search lights and skyscraper-style furniture pieces made with levels like an actual skyscraper will also pay tribute to the art deco period,” explained Lorraine Knapp, lead interior designer for Stonehill & Taylor, the architectural and interior design firm selected for the project.

Constructed in the 1931 art deco period, the New Yorker hopes to renew the luxury and glamour of the era, but with a modern appeal. “The renovation is much more for look and feel, and also to bring the hotel into contemporary amenities,” said Knapp. “The hotel was woefully in need of injection of new life and we wanted to bring back its exotic and glamorous appeal. It’s also in an excellent location and needs to be more competitive.”

“We’re anchored in a superb location, so we’re renewing a once-tired product, infusing it with style and new amenities to unleash its character and make it a hotel in demand,” explained McCaffrey.

The construction managers, Phbcatalystgroup, began construction late last spring and completed the first phase of guest room renovations in August 2007.

“We are a little behind what we’ve anticipated, but because it’s an old building we’ve run into some delays,” said Michele Fox, Project Manager for Phbcatalystgroup. The construction team will handle the infrastructure and electrical upgrade, sprinkler work and lobby renovations. Since there are five phases of the renovation, many will run parallel, explained Fox.

Fox confirmed that Phbcatalystgroup should complete phase five, the final stage, of the renovation by fall of 2008.

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