The Spiral: New York City's first commercial high-rise integrates nature in the workplace

This biophilic skyscraper designed by Bjarke Ingels Group has officially opened its doors in New York City

Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with Adamson Associates and structural engineer WSP Cantor Seinuk, The Spiral has officially opened its doors to the residents of New York City and several major companies, including Pfizer, Debevoise & Plimpton, Turner Construction, HSBC, and others.

Located on West 34th Street between Hudson Boulevard and 10th Avenue, The Spiral measures 2.8 million square feet and spans upwards to a height of 1,031.5 feet. Recently named the world’s Best Tall Building in its category by The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, The Spiral visually extends the landscape of the nearby High Line Park up and around The Spiral’s exterior, allowing access to green outdoor terraces from each of the building’s 66 stories.

Above Closeup of each floor’s terrace, making up one of The Spiral’s unique features: the green ribbon

Above The Spiral’s unique features can be seen from across the street

From street level, the tower draws the eye upwards to the ribbon of greenery that wraps around the tower. Reminiscent of a conservatory, the tower’s glass panel façade offers passersby a look into the building’s bright and spacious lobby, adorned with artwork by Dutch studio Drift and lush foliage.

Slowly reducing in volume as it rises to follow the site’s zoning envelope, the steppings are inspired by the aesthetics of classic Manhattan skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, using modern materials and detailing to speak to the design features of contemporary high-rise architecture.

Most of the plant species on the ground cover are native to the American prairie, making them resistant to high winds and droughts

Green terraces provide fresh air and unobstructed views of the city

Nature is seamlessly incorporated with modern architecture

Plenty of natural light to help create a productive ambiance

Photo 1 of 4 Most of the plant species on the ground cover are native to the American prairie, making them resistant to high winds and droughts

Photo 2 of 4 Green terraces provide fresh air and unobstructed views of the city

Photo 3 of 4 Nature is seamlessly incorporated with modern architecture

Photo 4 of 4 Plenty of natural light to help create a productive ambiance

“The Spiral combines the classic Ziggurat silhouette of the premodern skyscraper with the slender proportions and efficient layouts of the modern high-rise,” comments Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG. “Designed for the people who occupy it, The Spiral ensures that every floor of the tower opens up to the outdoors, creating hanging gardens and cascading atria that connect the open floor plates from the ground floor to the summit into a single uninterrupted workspace.”

To honour the area’s industrial history, The Spiral’s lobby incorporates seven different metals in its build, floor panels measured to the exact dimensions of the precast concrete planks spanning the High Line.

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Photo 1 of 2 Front lobby

Photo 2 of 2 View of the front lobby from outside

In the efforts to build a connection to the outdoors and support The Spiral’s interior foliage, a generous ceiling height and specially selected exterior glass coating enable a deeper incursion of natural light.

The building’s water management system collects overflow rainwater to treat and redistribute throughout the tiered landscaping, allowing it to save millions of gallons of water annually.

“The Spiral pioneers a new landscape typology by bringing gardens to a high rise. Designed to strengthen collaboration and well-being, each terrace hosts plantings specific to the varying daylight, winds and temperatures on every floor. These gardens will welcome neighbouring birds, bees and butterflies to expand New York’s biodiversity to the city skyline,” remarks Giulia Frittoli, a partner at BIG.

Above Street view of The Spiral

Currently pursuing a LEED Silver certification, The Spiral promotes a contemporary workplace where nature becomes an integrated part of the office environment, with adaptable spatial features to meet occupant needs, cementing The Spiral’s presence as a green addition to the Manhattan skyline.

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Credits

Photography

Laurian Ghinițoiu

Topics

New York City Biophilic Buildings Bjarke Ingels Group Sustainability Green Buildings

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