Buildings Sector, Winter 2023-24: Openings, Awards, and On the Boards

What's new in the Buildings Sector? A former church anchors a new arts district, a university library reopens after a multi-year renovation, design teams are selected for a mass timber incubator, and more. Read about all our recent project updates below:

Newly opened

A deceptively simple house in the Hamptons (Elle Decor, 3/23/24) – The home’s simple structure is an homage to the site’s since-demolished potato barn.

Friends Seminary School unveils a new James Turrell Skyspace (New York Times, 2/22/24) – In addition to an extensive renovation and expansion project at this private Quaker school (completed in 2019), our engineers recently provided services for a new high-profile art installation.

In Detroit, a former church forms the centerpiece of a new arts district  (Architectural Digest, 2/16/24) – After evaluating the existing structure of this Romanesque Revival church, we worked with the architect to add circulation and convert the interior into a series of flexible spaces including galleries.

The Bronx's expanded Starlight Park features a warm and modern comfort station (Architectural Record, 2/16/24) – This small project in a newly expanded public park in the Bronx resembles a bird in flight thanks to its roofline, which extends up to two conical points on opposite ends.

A pavilion made of grafted saplings and mass timber scaffolding is at the vanguard of biophilic design (Fast Company, 2/9/24) – Using a computational-based design workflow, we created a demountable timber scaffolding and a wooden deck that support a two-story structure made from willow saplings.

This 120-year-old Brooklyn building is now a powerhouse for the arts (Metropolis Magazine, 2/9/24) – An adaptive reuse project converted and repurposed a former central power station of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company. This project was also featured in Structure Magazine (page 43).

Chanel opens flagship watch and jewelry boutique in NYC (Forbes, 2/7/24) – Located at 730 Fifth Avenue, the project’s design was inspired by a golden jewel box. Our scope included a new passenger elevator and mezzanine structure.

Phased renovation enhances New York Public Library's landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (Architectural Record, 2/1/24) – We recently provided structural engineering services at this iconic building for work including improved accessibility and circulation as well as mechanical system upgrades.

New science playground at Pier 26 features sturgeon-shaped play structures (Architect’s Newspaper, 1/29/24) – The playground features two giant metal sturgeon whose interiors mimic actual fish anatomy. TYLin also provided structural engineering services for the new Pier 26 itself.

NYC’s first all-electric skyscraper nears completion in Brooklyn (Designboom, 1/22/24) – The 44-story residential tower has 441 apartments, about 10% of which are income restricted. This project was also featured in Architectural Digest.

UVA's main library will reopen following a multi-year renovation and expansion project (Cavalier Daily, 12/19/23) – After three years of construction, the building (formerly known as Alderman Library) is equipped with new study locations including two courtyards that are now enclosed under faceted skylights.

Awards

AIA New York Design Awards: Trinity Church Wall Street, Perelman Performing Arts Center, Brooklyn Public Library East Flatbush Branch, Powerhouse Arts, Bedford Green House I

ArchDaily Building of the Year, Housing: 450 Warren

American Architecture Awards, Displays/Installations: Upon Reflection (the Sky’s the Limit)

Boston Society for Architecture Design Awards: Charles River Speedway, Yale Humanities Quadrangle, Comfort Kitchen

Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards: Powerhouse Arts, Bronx Community College Gould Memorial Library, Ridges Residence

SEA-MW Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards: Franklin Park Pavilion, UVA Main Library, Queen City Art Installation

On the Boards

A first look inside the Six Senses private villas on Grand Bahama (Robb Report, 3/11/24) – Located off the coast of Florida, this new hospitality destination will feature a resort village and over two dozen private residences as well as amenities including a wellness center and restaurants.

NYCEDC selects projects for mass timber incubator program (Commercial Observer, 3/7/24) – We are on three of the seven teams selected for NYCEDC’s Mass Timber Design Studio, a technical assistance program intended to guide mass timber projects through the early stages of design. Read more about TYLin’s mass timber experience here.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse project enters an active phase of restoration (Island Free Press, 2/15/24) – A multi-phase project to restore the 154-year-old lighthouse and its surrounding grounds will provide an enhanced visitor experience.

Work at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center will upgrade the historic arts and community venue (Architect’s Newspaper, 1/29/24) – A $13 million project will add a new elevator and improve the lobby and corridors, making the center fully ADA compliant.

Image credit: Marvel Architects (Walter Gladwin Recreation Center)