hanrahan Meyers architects BLOG

Natural Light in Architecture Part 2: Red Hook Center for the Arts, Holley House, Won Dharma Center, Arts International

Holley House by hanrahanMeyers architects click here to view all photos of Holley House on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have designed most of their buildings around the use of natural light.  hMa works with natural materials, light and nature using a minimal palette to achieve unique spatial experiences for clients. hMa's clients include private and public organizations who build public buildings, including monasteries, churches (Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist, NY), Community Centers (Battery Park City Community Center), institutes and universities (Pratt Institute, for whom hMa designed Pratt Pavilion), as well as private clients, who build residential projects, including Holley House, and Ash 4Ways.  Holley House, above, uses a palette of natural materials.  The various materials, including local stone, wood, and glass, create a powerful transitional sensibility through the house, and light creates the sequences from public to private spaces.

Won Dharma Center by hanrahanMeyers architects click here to view all photos of Won Dharma Center on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

Won Dharma Center in Claverack, NY, is a Buddhist Retreat where hMa designed a campus including five buildings.  Shown above is a view of the site looking west toward the entrance to the Permanent Residence building, with a view of the Administration Building and Meditation Hall beyond.  The Won Dharma Center is the winner of two Design Awards, from the Wood Design and Building Council and from the Faith and Form/ IFRAA Design Awards competitions.

Redhook Center for the Arts, below, is a public building where the public spaces are bathed in natural light, mediated by painted surfaces that create washes of color.

window detail : Redhook Center for the Arts by hanrahanMeyers architects click here to see all photos of Redhook CFA on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

Arts International, below, was designed as as a large interior gallery, surrounded by private offices.  The office areas had large windows, and clear glass panels to the Gallery, so that even as an interior gallery, this inner space is still flooded with light.

Arts International Headquarters by hanrahanMeyers architects click here to view all photos of Arts International on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

Glass Research and hMa: Visual Sound Waves become Structure

hMa Research:  transforming sound waves into visual pattern: architecture presents sound, visually

In 2006 hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) were hired by a public client to design a new Community Center adjacent to Ground Zero.  hMa responded by designing a community center, DWiP (Digital Water i-Pavilion), that is a built landscape, a long horizontal expanse of public spaces with a Green Roof, and a glass wall facing the Ballfields.  The building is scheduled to open in May 2012.

DWiP, birds eye perspective

The public face of the building is a 550-foot long glass wall, facing West Street. The Architects collaborated with composer and sound artist Michael Schumacher, who wrote a  composition, 'WaTER' , to be etched onto the glass façade as a frit pattern.  The Architects, in collaboration with Schumacher, selected WaTER as an appropriate image for a building designed with a Platinum LEED certification. Water is a huge issue in the contemporary world, where clean water is desappearing.  The frit pattern on the glass talks about water, both visually, and through Schumacher's composition. The glass wall is being designed with an App, so that visitors will be able to point smart phones at the glass, and hear the Schumacher piece.  

DWiP: in construction March 2012

WaTER on the façade immerses visitors to DWiP (Digital Water i-Pavilion), in a sound as well as visual experience as they walk from South to North, in an arc pointing toward the new wordl trade center buildings, and the park commemorating 9/11.  The walk in front of the building links to street crossings at West Street.  The glass façade will have three openings, where visitors can walk up from the Ballfields below, to an upper plaza, where the architects designed a Green Roof, in collaboration with landscape designers SCAPE.  A full-length version of Schumacher's WaTER will be available as a download after the opening of the building, planned for May 2012.

The project and research bring a prominent sound artist into collaboration with hanrahan Meyers architects to produce a visual artifact.  The interpretive process took many iterations as the Clients had several parameters for the design.  In addition to requiring the design to clearly demonstrate the WaTER composition, the architects also needed to identify a pattern that was not overly intrusive in visitor's view from inside the building.  The pattern acts as a solar screen, preventing solar heat gain and provided a point toward the LEED certification.

 
 













for more information about hanrahan Meyers architects and DWiP, visit hanrahanmeyers.com
 

 

An Ecological Urbanist approach to Designing the City of the Future: The Green Urbanist

The conversations taking place today about new approaches to designing cities of the future center around new urban ideas, including Moshen Mostafavi's discussion from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.  Mr. Mostafavi's discussion of urbanism can be seen in his recently published book, Ecological Urbanism. Ecological Urbanism looks at how the world may be able cope in the future as cities become increasingly dense, using new strategies for urban and spatial design.  As the need arises for sustainable dense urban development, including ecological and sustainable food sources grown locally within cities, new building types that incorporate landscape from the natural surroundings, will help mitigate the effect of millions of people living in very close and dense arrangements.  

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have been master plan architects for green city spaces since 1990, when hMa were hired as the master plan architects for Battery Park City's North Neighborhood.  The BPC North Neighborhood was developed, under hMa's guidance, as the first high-rise green neighborhood in the world.  

Idea Diagram : Battery Park City North Neighborhood Master Plan click here to see more of this project on hanrahanMeyers.com.  The Green Urbanist

Teardrop Park South is an example of how even very dense urban spaces can still be experienced with natural light.  The Park was laid out by hMa, and designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates using Heliostat mirrors to beam light into an otherwise dark park.  The final park offers an array of natural greenery, native New York stones, and water to create a space that feels part of the original Manhattan landscape.  The park exists as a tiny envelop of green tucked into a dense high-rise block. 

Teardrop Park south (photo from "Teardrop Park South Unveiled" article on tribecacitizen.com - click to read more). The Green Urbanist

hMa has been at the forefront of designing ideas for new ways of making cities of the future since 1990. hMa's approach to urban places includes radical new approaches to creating eco-systems within places that were thought to be unnatural and unsustainable.  

Battery Park City North Neighborhood Master Plan : site plan showing parks click here to see more of this project on hanrahanMeyers.com. The Green Urbanist

All of the buildings and parks in Battery Park City's North Neighborhood were designed using guidelines developed by hMa, to create green, sustainable urban living.

Click here to read another article on Teardrop Park on NYCurbed Blog.

hanrahan Meyers architects & Large-Scale Urban Design in New York City's Battery Park City

In 2011 hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa), working in collaboration with Michael Schumacher, helped to develop a sound score for WaTER, which was transcribed onto the glass facade of their building.  

When the firm started the process of designing the urban fabric in Battery Park City's North Neighborhood, the area was primarily unbuilt.  hMa developed an overall master plan for the North Neighborhood that created a new fabric of integrated parks and greenery mixed with new high-rise residential development.  

site map : Battery Park City North Neighborhood  click here to view the Battery Park City North Neighborhood Master Plan project on www.hanrahanMeyers.com

 idea diagrams : Battery Park City North Neighborhood click here to view the Battery Park City North Neighborhood Master Plan project on www.hanrahanMeyers.com

hMa has a history of designing complex, green, and successful master plans for many different types of clients and sites.

In Claverack, New York, hMa's master plan for the Won Buddhist Organization of North America received the 2011 design award from Faith and Form magazine, and will be featured in an upcoming publication of Faith and  Form Magazine. This site is a re-developed Brownfield, and was designed by hMa to have zero carbon footprint.

aerial view of Digital Water i - Pavilion in construction in Battery Park City click here to view more photos of DWiP on www.hanrahanMeyers.com

Site Plan : Won Dharma Center in Claverack, NY click here to view photos of the Won Dharma Center on www.hanrahanMeyers.com

hMa's master plan for Pratt Institute was sited as one of the top campuses in America in 2011.  

Pratt Institute Campus Master Plan click here to view more photos of the Pratt Campus Master Plan on www.hanrahanMeyers.com

hMa is planning a publication of the firm's master plan designs, for publication in 2012.

hMa Archive: Joan Mitchell Foundation Proposal

In 2006, hMa created this Proposal for the design of a new headquarters for the Joan Mitchell Foundation.

Design Concepts

design concepts: moire/material

In order to exploit both the material quality of the concrete and the 11- foot ceiling heights, as well as employing the latest in sustainable design, we have developed a strategy of consolidating all of the services for the floor into two translucent volumes clad in metal screen. The volumes incorporate the air conditioning equipment and the general illumination, while allowing views and passage through strategic openings. Organizationally, the layout places the workspaces and offices around the perimeter, while the central space is reserved for conferences and a flexible lobby for daily use and special events. The volumes establish and identity for the Joan Mitchell Foundation by giving a gallery-like feeling to the workspace and demonstrating a commitment to the environment and preservation of natural resources. Joan Mitchell’s paintings, while abstract, exhibit a deep reverence for the world and our approach embraces both the experimental and observational aspects of her work.

design concept: cloud walls

Click here to view this project on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

Conventional building practices for these types of spaces generally mandate that the ceilings be lowered and all the building services be placed in the remaining ceiling cavity. Not only does this approach destroy the spatial and material qualities of the offices, it is extremely wasteful from an energy perspective. Instead we propose smaller, slower speed mechanical fans installed in these two central volumes that distribute hot and cold air at the height of three feet directly from the sides of the volumes. This concept is called ‘displacement’ and is proven to reduce energy costs while enhancing comfort. We propose to light the space generally with indirect lighting from the central volumes, and again minimize disturbance to the ceiling with too many light fixtures. Lighting will be provided at the workstation level with control being given to individual employees. This approach can reduce electrical use for lighting by over 40%, and provide a softer, warmer hued work environment. We have attached concept sketches that outline our approach.

organization and sustainable elements

Lattice patterns of metal screen or etched on glass can create moiré patterns of increasing complexity on flat surfaces, evoking the complexity of cloud formation. We also propose that all electrical and data services be consolidated into raceway elements and workstations, minimizing typical sheetrock walls. The constant construction and dismantling of gypsum partitions is an enormous source of pollution in NY, and the elimination of walls not only reduces this problem but also can provide a more open, light filled work environment. We also propose that no new permanent flooring be installed, but that a careful selection of area rugs or consolidated carpet squares is used to control the space acoustically and provide color and warmth. Workstations can incorporate wood and fabric. Therefore, the basic approach to materials is to expose the elegant visual effect of the concrete shell, and selectively use a palette of sophisticated materials such as translucent metal, glass, wood, and warm fabrics. The layered translucent metal screening and moiré effects will create an abstract, yet expressive visual surface. We believe this design approach will visibly demonstrate the positive values of the Joan Mitchell Foundation while supporting the spirit of experimentation and creativity that is central to the JMF mission.

envisioning the space: gallery view looking west

envisioning the space: view looking south

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hMa Likes: Shonquis Moreno

hMa recommends writer/designer Shonquis Moreno and her website shonquismoreno.com

Here is a short profile on Shonquis, excerpted from her website:

Brooklyn-based journalist Shonquis Moreno has served as an editor for Frame, Surface and Dwell magazines and writes on a freelance basis for publications such as T The New York Times Style Magazine (travel and design), Whitewall, Wallpaper, Metropolis, American Craft and Interior Design, among others. The lead author of Marcel Wanders: Behind The Ceiling, the designer's first monograph, Forefront, a book surveying international window display design, Eat Out! Restaurant Design & Food Experiences and Out of the Box: Brand Experiences Between Pop-Up & Flagship, she has also contributed to books published by Gestalten, Birkhauser and Frame on subjects ranging from architecture, interiors and furniture to product and packaging design.

hMa in Collaboration with Bruce Pearson : Sculpture Installation

model for Contains Real Hard Won Insight  by Bruce Pearson in collaboration with hanrahan Meyers architects

 

hMa diagram showing 2 entrances into the sculpture

hanrahan Meyers architects are pleased to present this first look at a recent collaboration with New York City based artist Bruce Pearson.  The piece spells out the phrase:  Contains Real Hard Won Insight, the title of the piece.  hMa assisted Bruce by scaling his text design, normally placed within the context of a painting, and developing Mr. Pearson's text into a free-standing spiral-shaped sculpture: two 7' tall arcing walls of text that invite visitoris to walk a sprialled path through the text, presented as free-standing, painted steel 7 foot tall letters.  hMa built a scale model of the future installation (see images below). The full-scale sculpture will be approximately 90 inches tall, and constructed from laser cut, baked enamel-finished steel. The model shows the future installation as it would appear, if the piece is built over a pool of water.

View more of Bruce Pearson's work here.

various model views

The Amtrak northeast corridor line. This is a string of urban poverty that runs unbroken from New York City to Washington D.C.. I would like to see the U.S. Government get involved in funding a renovation of this entire corridor!

Victoria Meyers to Participate in Spring 2012 Lecture Series at University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture

Victoria Meyers of hanrahan Meyers architects will present a lecture on March 21, 2012 at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Ms. Meyers is teaching a class at the UTA School of Architecture this Spring as the Ralph Hawkins Visiting Professor of Architecture.

The Spring 2012 Lecture Series will also include James Carpenter, Alan Chimacoff, Randall Arendt, Sandro Marillero, Petra Kempf, Agus Rusli, Paul Goldberger, and David Dillon.  Click here to visit the UTA School of Architecture website.

pictured:  Infinity Chapel (2010) by hanrahan Meyers architects LLP click here to view more photos of Infinity Chapel at www.hanrahanMeyers.com

 

 

Repost: Two Monasteries : Two VisionsLight and Architecture

This is an updated re-post of a blog entry that was originally posted on December 10, 2007.

Since the 2006 publication of ‘designing with light’ hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have been contacted by various groups to design spiritual spaces and compounds.  In the Summer of 2007 hMa received a request for a proposal for the Sisters of the Community of the Holy Spirit to design their new home.  This is to be a LEED certified Green compound located in Harlem, at the corner of Convent Avenue and 150th Street.  hMa responded by designing a new Eco-Spiritual Center incorporating state-of-the-art Green systems, including a solar roof that sells electricity back to the grid and reduces the compound’s electrical load.  An image of the Entry Hall into the Eco-Spiritual Center is shown above.  The Sisters desire a compound that is a home as well as an Eco-Spiritual Center for public education and awareness about peace, Ecumenism, and Sustainable Living.

Won Dharma Center: Meditation Hall from Administration porch click here to view more photos of the Won Dharma Center on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

hMa’s latest Green project for a spiritual group is the new Won Dharma Center compound located in Claverack, New York. Similar to the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, this project was commissioned by the clients, the Won Dharma Organization of North America, to be a Green community designed with sensitivity to Nature and issues of Sustainable design.  Below is hMa’s sketch for the future Won-Buddhist Training Center, prepared in 2997, showing the future Meditation Hall.  Above is the built meditation hall, with its adjacent Administration Building, showing the porch that links the two buildings.

Other Spiritual Spaces in recently completed by hMa include:  Infinity Chapel for Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist and Chapel of the Light for Queens Herald Church.

east elevation - Permanent Residence, Meditation seen beyond click here to view all photos of the Won Dharma Center on www.hanrahanmeyers.com

Above is another view of the built Won Dharma Center, showing a residential building in the foreground, and the Meditation Hall in the background.  The Center officially opened in September 2011 and was built with a 'zero carbon footprint'.  The materials used in construction include FSB wood for all buildings, green products including recycled, non-VOC gypsum wallboard for interiors, non-VOC paints, and the installation of geo-thermal wells, and a central bio-mass boiler for heat, using only trees that have died on the site as fuel,and generating zero-carbon input for heating and cooling. The site area where the compound buildings were built had been used as a shale gravel pit, so the buildable area is a mitigated brownfield.  The construction included mitigation of the brownfield conditions created by the original stone quarrying activities. The buildable footprint of 5 acres within an overall 500-acre site, received a covering of organic topsoil, and the clients have engaged a local landscaping company to create organic meadows in the areas between the buildings, planting native New York species plants.  For information and updates on these projects and other hanrahan Meyers architects projects, visit our website: http://www.hanrahanmeyers.com.