Architecture company WORKac renovated a building with one of the oldest cast iron façades of the neighbourhood Tribeca in New York, both inside and out. The building, located at 93 Reade Street, is now called the Stealth Building because of a new hidden rooftop structure that contains the development’s three-story penthouse. The renovation combines the old iron facade with new material, namely glass fibre reinforced concrete.

The original façade, made with cast iron, dates back to 1857 and has been completely restored. WORKac painted the façade in a charcoal tone. Because all the Corinthian column capitals that once decorated the building had been lost, WORKac collaborated with artist Michael Hansmeyer to create new and updated versions. Hansmeyer created a computer script that allowed the classical floral elements of the Corinthian order to ‘grow’ fractally. This resulted in a design that adheres to classical proportions yet is composed of new forms. These column capitals are made from glass fibre reinforced concrete, placed on the existing columns. They are, like the rooftop addition, an example that only upon closer inspection reveals contemporary design.

Because the New York City’s Landmark Commission required all rooftop structures to be invisible, WORKac traced the cone of vision from the furthest point from which the building was visible. The company used three rooftop projections to mask the bulk of an addition: the triangular pediment of the building next door, the Stealth Building’s own pediment and an elevator shaft located on top of the building. The rooftop structure lies in the shadow of these projections, formed in such a shape that the addition is hidden behind them, while making use of the maximum space available.

More information about the Stealth Building, you can find here.

Project credits:
Principals: Amale Andraos, Dan Wood
Project Manager: Sam Dufaux
Project Architects: Chris Oliver, Karl Landsteiner
Maggie Tsang
Interns: Timo Otto, Patrick Daurio

Digital column design by artist Michael Hansmeyer

Photos via work.ac