15 Hudson Yards > Part of Related Group’s sprawling Hudson Yards development on the west side of New York, the glass-wrapped, 88-story 15 Hudson Yards from local firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro lends itself to more restrained interiors conceived by Rockwell Group, which chose a palette of walnut, travertine, and limestone to highlight Hudson River views from the 285 private residences. An alluring addition is the dedicated wellness floor on the 50th level that would rival any hotel. “By creating a rich, meticulously detailed palette of natural materials while making the most out of the building’s orientation and daylight, the wellness amenities underline the extraordinary views of the city’s dynamic, ever-changing skyline,” says the New York firm’s founder David Rockwell. Guests can swim laps in the 75-foot-long pool or relax at the private spa. Rounding out the space is a beauty bar with hair and makeup services, a fitness center designed by the Wright Fit that offers yoga and group classes, and a children’s imagination center.
HouseZero > Snøhetta’s design for Harvard University’s Center for Green Buildings and Cities was no easy feat considering it was a refurbish of a house that predated the 1940s. With the goal to be a living laboratory and an energy-positive prototype to combat inefficient existing buildings, the house is intended to produce more energy over its lifetime than was used to renovate it. Forgoing an HVAC system, the building will adjust itself to reach thermal comfort targets for its occupants using nearly 300 sensors embedded throughout that will collect millions of data points on such variables as outdoor air temperature, rain, and indoor carbon dioxide levels for researchers to better understand how buildings work. Producing zero carbon emissions, the project also boasts 100 percent natural ventilation—helped by an outdoor solar chimney and a spiral stairwell dressed in hexagonal panels finished by students at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In addition, the open floorplan and lighter-colored materials means the house doesn’t need electric light during the day.
