31/10/2023
Combining the density of an American skyscraper with the shared space of a European courtyard, VIΛ 57 West, designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, offers a 709-unit residence with a lush 22,000-square-foot garden at the heart of the building. The VIΛ Courtscraper is a hybrid Between the building surrounding the European-style courtyard and the traditional American skyscraper style. The building is 150 meters high on the northeast corner, preserving views of Helena Tower adjacent to the river.
VIΛ changes size depending on the viewer's point of view. From the west, it is a hyperbolic parabola or twisted pyramid. From the east, Courtscraper appears to be a slender spire. The designer borrowed the style of the courtyard and its dimensions from the classic Copenhagen "urban oasis" and placed it in the heart of the main block of the building. The courtyard also has the exact same proportions as Olmsted Park, only 13,000 times smaller. The building, through its design idea, enjoys a copious accumulation of landscaping, the courtyard transforms from a shady forest in the east to a sunny meadow in the west.
The idea of shaping the building was based on making three corners of the building low and raising the northeastern part of the building. The courtyard opens up to views of the Hudson River and brings low western sunlight deep into the block. Although the courtyard is a private sanctuary space for residents, it is still visible from the outside, creating a visual connection with the greenery of Hudson River Park.