THE COLORFUL AND VERTICAL VILLAGE BY MVRDV IN FOUR POINTS
The Dutch architecture studio is signing its very first project in the United States this year, in Upper Manhattan in New York City.
Who is MVRDV?
Based in Rotterdam, MVRDV was founded by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, and Nathalie de Vries. The firm's mission? To find solutions to contemporary architectural and urban challenges. Brought to prominence by impactful projects such as the headquarters of the Dutch public broadcaster and the WoZoCo senior housing complex in Amsterdam, the firm boasts 350 architects and designers. In collaboration with Delft University of Technology, MVRDV now leads The Why Factory, a think tank and research institute offering a program for architecture and urban planning to understand the city of the future.
A project that takes the local context into account
Designed for Youngwoo & Associates, this incredible building makes a real impact on the Manhattan skyline . Yet, its silhouette reflects the character of its neighborhood. It takes the form of a stack of blocks whose dimensions correspond to those of the local buildings, all clad in eight different colors of brick. This design creates a veritable vertical village without overwhelming the surrounding environment, as is often the case when buildings tower over their neighbors.
Vibrant colors that echo the storefronts of the neighborhood
The colours are also a nod to this part of the city, and refer to its storefronts. Thus, the brightest colours, such as green, yellow, blue, red and orange, appear on the upper blocks, while the more discreet ones such as plum, blue and grey-brown are found at visitor level, at street level.
What will we find inside?
The building, located near a university and a hospital, comprises 221 rooms. It also offers retail space on the ground floor and over 16,000 square meters of office space. Finally, the 12th floor , located in the blue block, houses an event space suitable for all types of celebrations, from weddings and meetings to bar mitzvahs and quinceañeras, according to MVRDV.
