Foster + Partners’ New Manhattan Skyscraper Is Powered Entirely by Renewable Energy
The new JPMorgan Chase & Co. headquarters, designed by English architecture firm Foster + Partners, will debut in 2025. The building is completely powered by renewable energy, making it a highly sustainable structure.Photo: DBOX/Foster + PartnersSome of the world’s biggest businesses aren’t necessarily famous for their architecturally innovative headquarters, but JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s new headquarters may change that. After all, New York City—specifically Midtown—is known for its impressive collection of skyscrapers. That said, news of yet another one joining the ranks isn’t exactly surprising, but the one shooting up at 270 Park Avenue is different: The Foster + Partners–designed structure has zero carbon emissions and is 100% powered by renewable energy, courtesy of a nearby hydroelectric plant. This new ambitious project is certainly not Foster + Partners’ first unique design that has earned the English architecture firm a good deal of fame. They’re also the creatives behind The Gherkin, in London, HSBC Hong Kong, and New York’s Hearst Tower. The firm’s newest project on Park Avenue is poised to shake up one of the world’s most famous skylines.
The new tower, which is twice the size of the building that it replaced, will reach 60 stories.
Photo: DBOX/Foster + PartnersThe 60-story building, slated to open in 2025, will be JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s new headquarters. It may not be open for a few years, but Foster + Partners is using that time to perfect its complex plans. One of the firm’s unorthodox approaches is its solution to site constraints both below and at ground level: It introduced an innovative fan-column structure and triangular bracing, so that the enormous tower can touch the ground quite lightly across the entire block. Another unexpected element of 270 Park Avenue is its elevation: 80 feet above the ground, to be exact. Not only is it more of an aesthetically adventurous choice, but it also boasts a much-welcomed benefit: The elevation extends views from the Park Avenue entrance all the way through to Madison Avenue, a rare opportunity in the city.
As for the façade, the bronze-clad building is a stunning display of sustainability, with floor-to-ceiling triple-glazed panels that feature integrated glare-control blinds. It may not sound that exciting, but, in addition to offering a highly modern look, the system allows for greater energy efficiency when it comes to heat loss and solar gain. And, in these times, when sustainability and smart energy use are paramount, 270 Park Avenue is setting a legitimate example for the new normal of modern workspaces. Plus, Foster + Partners made use of the building that stood in the new headquarters’ place, which was just half the size of the new 270 Park Avenue. They recycled, reused, or upcycled a whopping 97% of the demolition materials, massively exceeding the LEED requirement of 75%.
The architects filled the tower with a series of enormous communal spaces, including the lobby.
Photo: Foster + PartnersLike so many skyscrapers popping up around the world, including the Zaha Hadid Architects–designed BEEAH Group’s headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, 270 Park Avenue is a smart building that utilizes sensors, A.I., and machine learning systems to not only predict and respond, but also adapt to changing energy needs. There are also water-storage and -reusing systems to reduce consumption by more than 40%. It’s fair to say that, when considering the sustainability of their new project, Foster + Partners didn’t try to cut any corners.
They didn’t just consider the benefits to the environment; they also designed a place that would actually improve people’s moods. For instance, the myriad biophilic elements that were incorporated into nearly every nook and cranny will improve cognitive function and the overall health and well-being of employees, according to the architecture firm. Greenery aside, 270 Park Avenue will also be home to a hotel-worthy health-and-wellness center, complete with fitness areas, yoga and cycling studios, physical therapy, medical services, mothers’ rooms, and prayer and meditation spaces. And with the sweeping Danny Meyer–led food hall, Foster + Partners are hardly giving JPMorgan Chase & Co. and their guests a reason to leave the building at night.
Foster + Partners prioritized giving guests of the building a decent view, so they elevated the base of 270 Park Avenue 80 feet in the air, allowing people to see from the Park Avenue entrance to Madison Avenue.
Photo: DBOX/Foster + PartnersOne thing is for certain: With its luxurious amenities and environmental achievements, the new JPMorgan Chase & Co. headquarters at 270 Park Avenue will give the 14,000 employees a place where they can work comfortably and will be more than excited to go to work each day.
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Originally posted on: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/foster-partners-new-manhattan-skyscraper-powered-entirely-renewable-energy