the west, a constructing in ny with a recycled-brick façade
CONCRETE PRESENTS ITS FIRST RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN MANHATTAN
amsterdam-based architecture practice, concrete, presents its first residential project in manhattan. located on 11th avenue, between 47th and 48th street, the west is a human-scaled, environmentally conscious hub in hell’s kitchen composed of 219 apartments. with a focus on craftsmanship, design and sustainability, the building’s façade features bricks made from waste.
the sustainable bricks were created in collaboration with dutch company StoneCycling.
images courtesy of concrete and StoneCycling
THE WEST’S BRICKWORK IS THE RESULT OF A COLLABORATION BETWEEN CONCRETE AND STONECYCLING
the west’s intricate brickwork is the result of a collaboration between concrete and StoneCycling. the brick matrix itself is a proprietary mix of recovered construction debris blended with raw clay quarried in the netherlands. a total of thirty different brick shapes and sizes were required for the project, and each piece was individually hand-brushed with a subtly reflective glass glaze before being fired in a centuries-old factory.
to get the waste for the bricks, StoneCycling works with waste processing companies to get the right quality waste that is both consistent and safe — mainly from mineral waste streams, which is both environmentally and legally safe to use. a preliminary research states that a 25% reduction in energy was reported by comparing the WasteBasedBricks® to ordinary bricks. the company states that their bricks can last more than 100 years and can be then recycled to make new ones.
featuring a U-shape, the west stretches from the corners of 47th street and 48th street along 11th avenue. the 7-storey brick base of the building is an extension of the townhouse-like character of the two streets, and connects to the brick warehouse architecture of the avenues. the brick façades are carefully crafted in rich detailed patters and combined with large industrial windows, they create street-oriented, loft-type studios and 1-bedroom apartments on the lower floors.
on the higher floors, new york’s iconic skyline and the sunset over the hudson river are highlighted. glass boxes pop in and out of the building to create unique views and orientations in each apartment together with large private terraces. the result is a lightweight, transparent architecture that reflects the unique experience the apartments offer.
the façade features StoneCycling’s truffle shine brick
no less than 42 different shapes and sizes of this brick were made to fully cover each corner and curve of the façade with its shiny grey / silver look
to get the waste for the bricks, StoneCycling works with waste processing companies to get the right quality waste that is both consistent and safe
each piece was individually hand-brushed with a subtly reflective glass glaze before being fired in a centuries-old factory
the brick matrix itself is a proprietary mix of recovered construction debris blended with raw clay
project info:
name: the west
architecture, interior and landscape design: concrete
client: ironstate development, hoboken, usa and sk development, new york, usa
location: 11th avenue between 47th and 48th streets, manhattan, new york [the west]
wastebasedbricks® used: truffle shine
upcycled waste: 260000 kg
status: under construction
juliana neira I designboom
feb 11, 2022