Did you know that over 40% of the buildings in Manhattan wouldn’t have been granted construction permits if they had been attempted to be built in 2017? This is mostly due to the fact that, when they were built years ago, there was a different importance placed on building density, ceiling height, column placement, and general living standards. In a fun experiment, HWKN architecture firm deciding to apply modern construction techniques and design principles to twelve art deco and gothic revival buildings in Manhattan in a project they call New(er) York.
The Steps They Took:
Upon embarking on this experiment, the firm took four main steps:
- They created very detailed 3D models of the buildings they were re-designing.
- Next, they got rid of any and all intricate details on the building, leaving only its basic form and proportions.
- Then they reworked the building’s structure to “emphasize each building’s unique character.”
- Lastly, they added “contemporary facade techniques” to give the new design a sense of realism.
Why Old Buildings’ Structures Were Allowed:
If the way historic buildings were designed disregarded some general standards construction companies and architects must follow today, how were they able to be built? Well, art deco designs were possible due to New York’s 1916 Zoning Law. In an effort to keep buildings from casting shadows over the streets below, the zoning law allowed for “wedding cake” architecture since it required no more than 25% of the building’s footprint to extend upward.
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