Architectural Precedent 2_Vessel in New York

Architectural Precedent 2

Project: Vessel  

Designer: Thomas Heatherwick 

Location: New York, U.S.

1. Key Concept:

Vessel (TKA) is a structure and landmark which was built as part of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Construction began in April 2017; it opened on March 15, 2019.

Designed by the British designer Thomas Heatherwick, the elaborate honeycomb-like structure rises 16 stories and consists of 154 flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings for visitors to climb. Although the towering design appears like a sculptural work, the architects behind the project view it more as a piece of furniture than a piece of architecture.

2. Selected Design Element:

The studio referenced three-dimensional public spaces when designing the sculpture, including stepwells – a type of well that originated in India that is accessed by descending a set of steps to the water level. Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs -- almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings – the vertical climb offers remarkable views of the city, the river and beyond.

The resulting structure is narrow at its base, before expanding to a height and width of 45 metres. The structure is narrow at the bottom to avoid a large footprint and expands to a width of 150 feet wide at the top. It opened yesterday alongside a plaza and gardens and phase one of the surrounding complex’s retail and entertainment.

3. How is the Key Concept Reflected in the Design Studio? 

Firstly, what this type of architect hasn't really done before, the significance of architecture is not a simple function but a landmark, a building that makes people flow. This is a good idea when designing large public buildings. This kind of stair form is also very novel, which is three-dimensional and makes full use of vertical space. I will try to make such stairs in future designs. Finally, in terms of materials, we boldly use metal materials with different textures, which also make people feel that they combine modern elements.

4. Geometrical Description of the Shape

According to the above schematic diagram, the scale of the model is 1:100.

These include a metallic staircase and a structure with internal support.

5. Proposed Scale, Material, Technique.

Proposed scale: 

1: 100

Material:

Basswood

Acrylic

Technique:

Laser cutting 

3D print

6. Time Commitment, Budget

Time commitment - 2 week 

Laser cut file preparation -5 hrs

Digital model - 10hrs

Laser cutting - 1 hrs

Assembling framework and base- 10 hrs 

3D print for the internal supporting -8 hrs

Budget - $130

Reference 

1. https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/03/thomas-heatherwick/

2. http://www.heatherwick.com/projects/spaces/?from_proj=vessel

3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCsitNcjXzQ