660 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Photo Credit: Raimund Koch
The building’s recladding was a recent focus in USGlass Magazine. Photo Credit: Raimund Koch
KPF Principal Lauren Schmidt offered insights into the adaptive reuse approach to 660 Fifth Avenue, detailing how the use of jumbo glass panels transformed the building.
The article, titled “Wall to Wall,” explores how KPF repositioned the midcentury tower to increase natural light in interiors and enhance its thermal performance, all while preserving the structure of the original building. Perspectives from the project’s façade consultant, glass manufacturer, and construction team reveal the design’s innovative approach to recladding.
The constraints imposed by the structural capacity of the building’s original slabs enabled the designers to take a unique approach, reports USGlass. Using custom-made glass panels, the floor-to-ceiling windows were designed to extend from one column to the next, connected directly to the exterior structure. This method optimized energy performance by reducing thermal bridges, allowed light to permeate the space, and offered unobstructed views of the city. “Our goal was to open up the interior space as much as possible and almost have the façade disappear so you can enjoy the amazing views—from the higher floors you can see all the way to Central Park,” recounts Schmidt. As a result of the beautiful redesign, tenant demand has risen significantly, a fact also noted in an article in The Architect’s Newspaper.
The magazine article praises the sustainability of KPF’s design, enabling the tower to operate with more energy efficiency and greater fresh air intake. The project minimized waste by preserving the building’s original structural components and by recycling 75% of construction waste.
Read the full article from USGlass here.