CORPORATE
Curvilinear Expressions
Part of the project brief for this workspace environment was to explore two concepts. One was geometric and the other being curves. Hearst Tower is located in New York City, New York originally designed by William Randolph Hearst, but later Norman Foster, created an addition to the building. This unique skyscraper is memorable in the city skyline. Having Cosmopolitan Magazine has the client, there were some challenges besides having an intricate interior. Cosmopolitan is a well-known magazine and have very high standards.
EXTERIOR IMPORTANCE
What makes it uncommon is the triangular framing pattern, also known as a diagrid, requiring 10,480 tons of structural steel, 20% less than a conventional steel frame building. Hearst Tower was the first skyscraper to break ground in New York City after September 11, 2001.
LEED - TRANSPORTATION MAP
The Hearst Tower is environmentally friendly and earned the status of LEED Gold. It was built using 85% recycled steel: its heating and air conditioning equipment utilize outside air for cooling and ventilation for nine months of the year. The building consumes 25% less energy than an equivalent office building that complies minimally with the respective State and City Codes, as per the architect's website.
CONCEPT 1 - GEOMETRIC
The concept was based on the exterior of the building. Structurally, the style on the exterior is called a triangulated "diagrid". The form was creating an interior grid system where the columns met. Although this created a well-organized pattern, the conceptual direction was abandoned after realizing the goals and philosophies did not coincide with the Cosmopolitan brand.
CONCEPT 2 - CURVES
The concept idea germinated from the observation that the client's main goal is confidence building and empowering women. It all started with the sketch of the four typical shapes of the female body: the banana, the apple, the pear and the hourglass.
CURVES
The four shapes were then reduced to their simplest forms and began to develop delineations in the floor plan, as well as circulation paths. It came to the conclusion that it was too literal and was then further analyzed.
ABSTRACTION
The nonlinear abstraction of the shapes took the curves in an organic direction. This shape was incorporated in the ceiling plan as well as the circulation.
MEZZANINE LEVEL
The mezzanine level is an unusual interior space, rising 160' from floor to ceiling. This exaggerated height created a design challenge; however, it made it less daunting for the humans occupying it. Some of the design moves made were: curves became ceilings - lowering the height in key areas, a large tall cylindrical volume became a runway / theater, and an over-scaled organic form shaped the bookstore area.
MEZZANINE - RCP
Here, the curved shaped from the concept is represented as the ceiling, to create more intimate spaces throughout the large space.
COSMOPOLITAN PROGRAMMING
Since Cosmopolitan Magazine is such a large magazine, there are many different types of people involved. Each department was broken up and then organized in a way where similar departments would be adjacent to each other.
PROGRAMMING PLACEMENT
The bubble study is now translated into the floor plan to fully show where departments are placed.
WORK SPACE - RCP
The abstract concept is incorporated into the ceiling plan, not only on the mezzanine but also on the work space level.
SECTION - BOOKSTORE
This section shows the massive bookcase that is located in the mezzanine.
TOUCH DOWN SPACES
Touch down spaces are included within the mezzanine level to allow workers to come for a couple of hours to work. They have the flexibility to come and go as they please. Quick meetings are also able to be held here.
THEATER / RUNWAY
This is a multi-functional space. Here, Cosmopolitan can use the space as a theater to present new ideas, as well as a runway space to showcase new designs.
FASHION GALLERY
A fashion gallery is designed to display the beautiful designs of past, present and even future designs of Cosmopolitan.
KITCHENETTE
The design of the kitchenette was truly inspired by the conceptual design, which was formed by combining all four shapes of a woman's body.
WORKSPACES
Here is a view of the work space stations, design inspired by the conceptual drawing.
OVERVIEW WORK SPACES
The conceptual design is clearly portrayed with the curvilinear forms throughout the ceiling and work spaces.
