Architect:

Frank Gehry

Completion:

2007

Description:

The curvy building - the home of Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp - is visible from a few blocks away, as its flowering top pokes above the adjacent rooftops. We can see a visible separation of the building into two zones vertically as the building responds to the city's zoning. If we analyze Gehry's building following this setback separation, the top is much more successful than the bottom. The image above illustrates how more curves are present in the top than the bottom. This extra detail above gives the building a more varied presence depending on the point of view. As well, the extra "curviness" of the top makes this area more dramatic.

The bottom, on the other hand, doesn't fail due to forms or curves but from the way it meets the ground. Schools of architecture are always teaching this aspect of design, but here it appears that Gehry ignored that consideration. Not only does the building just basically end at the sidewalk, it also is primarily impenetrable, indicating that it will not contain any pedestrian retail. Its location on the West Side Highway may have determined this decision, though nevertheless its presence at this lower level could have been handled better.

Images:

Address:

West Side Highway at 18th

New York, NY 10011

Map/Directions/Info:

The building is located on the West Side Highway, between 18th and 19th Streets in Manhattan's Chelsea district.

Train: C,E to 23 St

Bus: Need bus info

Car: Being Manhattan, visiting by car isn't recommended.

Nearby:

Bohen Foundation

Carlos Miele Flagship Store

DVF Studio Headquarters

Gallery Building

Morimoto NYC

Porter House Condo

Town House

Yohji Yamamoto

Links:

IAC/InterActiveCorp

arcspace

danda