The winning projects will be recognized at an exhibition at the Center for Architecture opening on April 16 and a luncheon ceremony the following day.
Today, the AIA New York announced the winners of its 2020 Design Awards program. A jury of independent architects, educators, critics, and planners from outside New York City. 55 Hudson Yards and 18 Robinson were honored with Merit awards in the Architecture and Sustainability categories, respectively.
55 Hudson Yards synthesizes the contemporary, sleek forms of Manhattan’s new development with the industrial roots of its neighboring Meatpacking District. The tower’s strong, orthogonal façade emphasizes the simple elegance of the building’s rational form. A consistent grid of gunmetal both invokes modernism and echoes the historic, cast-iron structures of the neighborhood. Fenestration modules shift in size between the podium and tower fronts while column-free corners and multiple terraces offer enhanced views of the Hudson River, High Line, and New York City.
The design for 18 Robinson enhances the physical, cultural and environmental context of contemporary Singapore. Located on a tiny downtown site, the balanced elements of the faceted tower are visually dynamic and contrasted to the forest of simply extruded rectilinear towers that surround it, allowing the building to feel light and airy. Most notably, the design places the equivalent of its site area as publicly accessible green space, terracing over the height of the tower, in keeping with Singapore’s Landscape Replacement Area policy—a new part of its visionary green agenda. In addition to the public green spaces provided within the project, 18 Robinson incorporates aggressive sustainable and wellness strategies. The project has achieved a Greenmark Platinum rating, Singapore’s local equivalent to LEED, through the design of its planning, envelope and mechanical systems.
AIA New York’s annual Design Awards program recognizes outstanding architectural design by AIA New York members, New York City-based architects in any location, and work in New York City by architects around the globe. The purpose of the awards program is to honor the architects, clients, and consultants who work together to achieve design excellence. For a full list of winners, as well as more information about the luncheon and exhibition, please click here.