GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
Distinct“ upland,”“ lowland,” and“ sheltered” garden sections feature tree-filled backdrops and shrub skirts, drawing inspiration from Northeastern mountain vegetation ranging from fine-textured and airy to thick, luxuriant foliage. Mountain Rosebay, Smooth Hydrangea, and Bottlebrush Buckeye fill the garden’ s shrub skirt, with a tree assortment including Yellowwood, Sweetbay Magnolia, and River Birch. Planters host a diversity of regional native species, from Solomon’ s Seal, Goatsbeard, and Black Cohosh to Coral Bell and Sword Fern. Working alongside Snøhetta on the garden was a team of leading landscape and horticulture companies, including Phyto, The Dirt Company, SiteWorks, Arup, and Adamson Associates Architects.
The 1.2-billion-year-old, 24-ton spherical installation is made of Azul do Macaubas quartzite that was quarried in Brazil before being suspended by chains from 550 Madison’ s vaulted, triple-height ceiling. www. snohetta. com
Technical Sheet
• Architects: Snøhetta www. snohetta. com
• Area: 22000 ft ²
• Photographs: Barrett Doherty, Chao Li
The 41-story, 850,000-square-foot 550 Madison began as a single-tenant headquarters for AT & T when it opened in 1984. The building’ s new garden is part of a six-year effort by Olayan to reimagine the high-rise – New York City’ s youngest historic landmark – with wellness initiatives, sustainability programs, and more than 30,000 square feet of luxury amenities. In addition to the garden, building improvements include a Rockwell Group-designed clublevel amenity space that promotes collaboration and creativity, including a concierge overseeing the Grand Hall, the Library, the Hearth Room, the Screening Room, and the Pool Room. The club level also includes multiple dining offerings and kitchens for events.
The state-of-the-art fitness center at 550 Madison exceeds those of many luxurious private wellness and athletic clubs, with elegant space for health classes and workouts. And a new Gensler-designed lobby creates a cathedral-like experience, full of sunlight, bronze mesh materials, rust-colored leather, and a greyscale terrazzo floor. Sunshine from a soaring 65-foot archedglass window spills light onto the building’ s centerpiece artwork,“ Solid Sky,” by the artist Alicja Kwade.
Follow us @ ludmagazine www. landud. co. uk 41