The observation experience within the KPF-designed supertall was the recent focus of a case study by The Architect’s Newspaper as well as the recipient of Glass Magazine’s Project of the Year and Best Glass Interior Awards.
The Architect’s Newspaper highlights the expansive nature of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, an attraction that goes beyond an observation deck with panoramic views. SUMMIT, designed by Snøhetta, comprises four stories at the top of Midtown’s tallest office tower, and features four experiences, Air, a collection of exhibits designed by Kenzo Digital; Levitation, two glass ledges overlooking Madison Avenue; Ascent, two exterior glass elevators; and Après, a food and drink space with an outdoor terrace. The article takes the reader through the full experience, from arriving at SUMMIT’s subterranean entrance at the tower’s connection to Grand Central Terminal, to traveling through the space more than 90 stories up.
Glass Magazine recognized SUMMIT One Vanderbilt with its Project of the Year award, in addition to Transcendence I, an immersive room that makes up part of the greater observation experience, receiving Best Glass Interior. Transcendence I is a room comprised of glass and mirror, fabricated by Cristacurva, and is part of the greater “Air” experience. The outlet’s awards judge Martin Bracamonte, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at Vitro Architectural Glass, shared the panel’s reason for awarding SUMMIT: “This is clearly one of the most impressive projects of the entire year across every category. It is a visual delight and maximizes the mesmerizing, captivating quality of glass and mirror in a unique way, fusing the sky with the ground and the walls.”
Read the full article from The Architect’s Newspaper here and learn more about the awards from Glass Magazine here.