UN-HQ Designing for Diplomacy - process

UN-HQ Designing for Diplomacy - PROCESS North Lawn Building,NYC Veronica Dubourgh Hellebergshaugen NTNU 2015

Advisor: Steffen Wellinger

FDR GA HQ NYC NLB ODMU SG UN UNDC1 ACRONYMS Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive General Assembly Head Quarters New York City North Lawn Building Oversesas Development Management Unit Secretary-General United Nations United Nations development programme

table of contents Waterfront Development... 1 Vision plan East River... 2 Shoreline historical development... 3 Waterfront plan... 4 Further Plot assessments... 5 FDR Relocation... 6 Green Plan Mid-Manhattan... 7 Walking distance NYC... 8 Blast issues, further studies... 9 Solar Studies... 11 Connections UN Structure+North Lawn... 13 Current UN flow... 14 Green projects UN... 15 Final Program... 17 Users... 18 Rough Program study... 19 Current Flow UN... 21 Program Scale... 22 Volume Experimentation... 23 Volume Experimentation two... 25 Mid Semeter Review... 27 Feedback... 28 Main guidelines for design... 29 Relations to existing structure... 33 Scenarios... 35 Scenario four further studies... 53 Volume tests... 55 Relations to original design... 57 Atrium design test... 59 Model developement... 61 Reference materials... 63 Print/Resources... 66 6

Process The process book contains selected work from the whole process after delivering the Pre-Work up until submitting the project. It tries to keep an order relating to the timeline of the work but jumps around at times. 8

waterfront development Seeking to be a healthier city the NYC planning department released A Greener Greater New York. The main contence of the document is that the city will focus on the environmental development both for the city and it s inhabitants. The city is working towards reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050. When Sandy hit Manhattan in 2012 the lower parts of the city was completly flooded and the work started towards planning a waterfront system to prepare for a simliar event happening again. The idea of a green border around the whole of Manhattan started emerging. BIG has been given the task to develop further on the project as you can see in the illustrations bellow. The main goals relating to the North Lawn project is: ACCESS TO PARK WITHIN A 10 MINUT WALK ALL OVER MANHATTAN CONNECT FRAGMENTED EXISTIN PARKS BICYCLE ROADS WATERTAXI INCREASE FACILITIES INCREASE RECREATIONAL ZONES Ill. BIG, Manhattan Waterfont project 1

VISION PLAN EAST RIVER WATERFRONT The way forward, what has been done since the prework C. Schurz Park East River Park Battery Park 2

shoreline historical development 3 Exerted from waterfront development presentation, see link.

waterfront plan Waterfront connection plans. From a Greener Greater New York Water redirection in front of the UN structure, relating to the waterfront walkway 4

Further PLOT assessment Traffic Flow 5 Current FDR FDR view from North access

FDR relocation A N E A S T R I V E R CAFETERIA CONFERENCE BUILDING A SECRETARIAT ANNEX FDR RAMP FOR PUBLISHING COMPLEX GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY PUBLIC SECURITY SCREENING STAFF SECURITY SCREENING Plan FDR 1ST AVE 46TH ST 45TH ST 44TH ST 42ND ST Entrance platform GA +13m UN Plot + 9m UN Boulevard +3m New FDR tunnel Old FDR tunnel UN Expedition Section A-A 6

green plan mid-manhattan ST.CATHERINES S PARK CENTRAL PARK BRYANT PARK ST. VARTAN S PARK UNITED NATIONS PLOT MADISON SQUARE PARK BELLEVUE SOUTH PARK 7

WALKING DISTANCE NYC 62ND ST 20 MIN WALK 56TH ST COLUMBUS CIRCLE PLAZA DISTRICT 15 MIN WALK 10 MIN WALK 46TH ST TIMES SQUARE GRAND CENTRAL 5 MIN WALK 42ND ST PENN PLAZA / GARMENT UN PLAZA 5 MIN WALK 34TH ST MURRAY HILL 10 MIN WALK CHELSEA 28TH ST 15 MIN WALK 23RD ST GRAMERCY PARK 20 MIN WALK 8TH AVE 7TH AVE 6TH AVE 5TH AVE MADISON PARK LEXINGTON 3RD AVE 2ND AVE 1ST AVE FDR 8

BLAST Blast issues ISSUES Further studies The diagram shows the preassure wave from a car bomb if it would be blown up by the border of the plot. The UN only relates to car bomb issues because of the stronger force that would be applied by a larger bomb. 9

solar studies The United Nations North Lawn Site is generally exposed to direct sunlight throughout the year in the morning and noon hours throughout the year. However the low winter noon sun position casts long shadows of the Secretariat Tower onto the North Lawn. As the sun sets in the evening, neighboring buildings cast shadows onto the UN campus and North Lawn throughout the year. Spring / Fall The spring and fall seasons expose the norh lawn to unobstructed direct light during the morning and noon hours. There are moderate shadows from the secretariat and surrounding buildings until the evening, where the North Lawn is cast in raking shadows by neighboring buildings to the west. Summer The summer season exposes the North Lawn to the most dynamic range of lighting conditions. At noon, the high sun position produces minimal shadows. While during early morning and late evening hours, the summer sun position can throw light onto even north facing surfaces. Winter The winter season exposes the North Lawn to low light angles and the shortest number of sun hours. At noon, the low sun position casts long shadows of the Secretariat tower onto the North Lawn. During the early morning and late evening hours, the sun position does not throw any direct light onto north facing surfaces. 11

Spring / Fall Morning Spring / Fall Noon Spring / Fall Evening S ummer Morning S ummer Noon S ummer E vening Winter Morning Winter Noon Winter Evening 12

Connection UN structures 13

CURRENT FLOW UN 4 2 N D S T R E E T F I R S T A V E N U E ENTRANCE 4 8 T H S T R E E T SECURE PERIMETER SECURE ENTRY / EXIT PUBLIC STAFF / DELEGATE STAFF ONLY 14

Green projects at the UN The UN is currently engaded in a urban garden project at the moment situated between the conference building and the Canteen/Library. This project will be moved to the roof of the new office structure. Relating to the UN s engagement in the sustainable goals. 15

Final program Office spaces Entrance Visitor area/exhibition space Lobby/Auditorium Library/ Resources Language Training Conference Rooms Cafeteria IT/ building Support Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Total building 50 000 sqm 2400 sqm 5000 sqm 2000 sqm 4000 sqm 2000 sqm 4600 sqm 2400 sqm 2400 sqm 5000 sqm 80 000 sqm 17

users PUBLIC SEMI-PUBLIC PRESS BUSINESS + DELEGATES + EMPLOYEES 18

rough program development PUBLIC PRESS & BUSINESS DELEGATES Public unsecured semi public secured, full check semi public secured, invite only shop 100 auditorium 400 entrance hall 400 safety control 100 information desk 50 card distribution 50 wardrobe 60 lockers 80 toilets 30 storage 60 information desk wardrobe 100 toilets 2x30 bar 50 info desk 50 toilets 2x50 auditorium 2x 80 auditorium 400 lobby 1400 restaurant tables 180 20 delegates lounge 150 library/ bookshop 600 auditorium 600 expo space 400 product space 150 auditorium 300 shop 100 bar 50 toilets 3x 25 restaurant bar 70 restaurant kitchen 120 restaurant storage 60 press room 90 press room 300 expo space 3000 Library 1200 reading room 200 info desk 40 wardrobe 50 lockers 50 toilets 25 Conference 2000 19

EMPLOYEES/RESEARCHERS private secured, card check offices collect 900 offices produce 900 workplace propagate 400 workplace exchange 400 workplace general 400 brainstorm rooms 4x 50 workshop 300 workshop 200 meeting room 620 video conference 3x40 X 6 Facility Storage 300 cleaning 90 ICT 100 canteen tables 120 canteen buffet 80 canteen kitchen 160 canteen kitchen 80 reproduction 60 5x pantry 40 toilets 100 working archive 400 archive 20

program scale 1.1000 The program was laid out in scale to figure out the possibilities on the plot. 21

Volume experimentation A volume experimentation was conducted in a scale of 1:2000 relating to the plot and a 47st street axis. Dividing the clay into two parts, the grey containing the office volume the other the rest of the program. The main focus of the exercise was relating to the existing scale of the UN compound to start creating a shape. 23

Volume experimentation Part two The studies was translated into a 3D model to compare with the exact size and relations to the platou. I decided to continue on a tower shape 47ST STREET AXIS 25

MId semester reviews For the mid-semester review I continued with a shape relating to some guidelines given from the plot, also challenging the Blast Zone. The criteria developed were: MAINTAIN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MANHATTAN AND EAST RIVER USE EXSISTING LINES FROM THE UN COMPLEX CHALLENGING THE 50 M PERIMITER 47TH ST. VIEW CORRIDOR MECH ELEV 160m Height 150m 83 000m2 Secretariat Building 154m Alcoa Building Height 131m OFFICE CONFERENCE OFFICE PROPERTY LINE PRESERVED NORTH LAWN FOREST 50 M BLAST STANDOFF MECH OFFICE CONFERENCE CAFETERIA General Assembly 25 GENERAL ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE LIBRARY 48TH STREET ENTRANCE / AUDITORIUM EXHIBITION / LOBBY EXISTING PODIUM MECH EXISTING DATA CENTER B1 B2 B3 SEWER EASEMENT 27

feedback The main feedback received at the mid semester related to the aspect of the Blast issue, up until that point I was struggeling how work my design around this criteria. Fighting against the idea of having to build a 30 meter solid wall. Advice was given to embrace this criteria as a design guideline to use as an opportunity to actually be allowed to make a closed facade to the road and put all the functions in this part of the structure. The relations to the iconic structure was discussed and the importance of respecting the existing compound. back to the drawing board After the Mid-semester, I threw away the proposed project and started over to define the main principles of the project. The following aspect were defined: 47st street axis throught the plot Creating UN Plaza Relating to the future green waterfront Re-Use the old FDR space 28

Main guideline aspects for the design PRESERVING 47ST STREET VIEW LINE & GREEN PASSAGE 29

CREATE WATERFRONT ACCESS 30

WORK WITH UN PLAZA 31

RE-USE OLD FDR SPACE 32

RELATIONS TO EXCISTING STRUCTURE 33

Conference Room 3 Conference Room 2 Conference Room 1 Het is duidelijk dat hier nog meer zit, maar wat? Het is duidelijk dat hier nog meer zit, maar wat? Delegates Corridor Conference room Conference 12 Conference room 11 room Conference 10 room 9 Interior Secretariat building s and under stairs construction. stay at same Only location elevator Post office R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 women public lounge bookshop R3 R4 men to the library UN stamps conference room 4 delegates lobby conference room 8 coffee shop Parkeren? gift centre guided tours conference room 5 conference room 6 conference room 7 United Nations existing situation scale 1:700 Basement -1 34

scenarios BACKGROUND To more concrete decide what kind of structure is suitable for the site four scenarios are drawn up to explores the possibilites and restraints also creating a boundary for the project. The scenarios explore the relations to the 47ST connection, green spaces on the plot, relations to the excisting structure + original design, blast issues and connection to the surrounding buildings on Manhattan. 35

HIGH High rise in blast sone High rise slab between 46th and 47st street CLOSED OPEN High rise slab facing river carved by 47st street Low structure working with the large plot. Movint the green to the top of the structure. LOW 36

SCENARIO ONE This scenario explores a high rise slab between 46st and 47st street relating to the original design from Le Corbusier and Niemeyer moved from it s original position to keep the 47st street line open and move away from the blast sone issues. N E A S T R I V E R UN PLOT 47 ST CONNECTION NEW STRUCTURE WATERTAXI STOP PRESERVING FORREST WATERTAXI STOP PLAYGROUND CAFETERIA CONFERENCE BUILDING FDR RAMP BLAST STANDOFF 50 M SECRETARIAT ANNEX FDR RAMP 48TH ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY 50 M BLAST STANDOFF LIBRARY STAFF SECURITY SCREENING 47TH ST 46TH ST 45TH ST 44TH ST 1ST AVE 42ND ST 37

POTENTIAL -Stays inside the 50m blast sone -Preserving the forrest and green space. -Creating a plaza between the structures as proposed in the original design. -The narrow slab will create good daylight conditions for the office spaces inside the building. -Relates to the current compound and embraces the excisting design. -Relates to the Manhattan gridd. -Doesn t block to much of the view. -Possibilites to play with the facade both in patterns and materials. Creating a flaggship building highly visible from the East River. CONSTRAINTS -It s situated close to the current compound. Creating a tight space inbetween the new strcture and the entrance to the GA. -To similar to the original design, doesn t challenge the possibilites of the site. -Gives little back to the public. -Has to relate to air rights. -Blocks the view for the building on the corner of 47th street. 38

structure and facade sketching 39

inspiration/reference,henwah HQ, UNSTUDIO, Seoul DC1, Dominique UNSTUDIO, Perrault Architecture Henwah HQ, Vienna Seoul Original Design Proposal, Niemeyer+Corbusier 40

SCENARIO TWO High rise situated in the blast sone with closed facades the first 30 meters facing the roads. Challenging the blast sone and using the restriction as a design aspect N E A S T R I V E R UN PLOT 47 ST CONNECTION NEW STRUCTURE WATERTAXI STOP BLAST SONE ISSUE WATERTAXI STOP PLAYGROUND CAFETERIA CONFERENCE BUILDING FDR RAMP BLAST STANDOFF 50 M SECRETARIAT ANNEX FDR RAMP 48TH ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY 50 M BLAST STANDOFF LIBRARY STAFF SECURITY SCREENING 47TH ST 46TH ST 45TH ST 44TH ST 1ST AVE 42ND ST 41

POTENTIAL -Preserves the plaza and gives way to a massive amount of green space on the plot. -Interesting to explore the opportunities given by using the blast sone as a design criteria. Possibilities to explore different design options for a closed facade. -Keeps the 47st street path free. -Relates to the high rise trend on Manhattan. -Gives way for future development on the plot. -Challenges the original design. CONSTRAINTS -Blocks the view of the residental Trump Tower. -Air right issues. -Large distance to the HQ. -Gives little back to the public. -Difficult to connect to the excisting underground system of the current HQ. -Stands alone. - [Walukuba west] 42

closed facade opportunities Stacking Green by Vo Trong Nghia Hiroshi Tomoko Beauteous Unique Home Designs tower sketches 43

inspiration/reference House in Oike, Matsuama Architects Bergbaum Museum,DBM House by MooMoo Library in Alexandria, Snøhetta 44

SCENARIO THREE High rise slab facing the East River, pierced by 47 street creating a sea side connection through the platform. Staying inside the blast sone challenging the excisting slab in the current UN complex. N E A S T R I V E R UN PLOT 47 ST CONNECTION NEW STRUCTURE WATERTAXI STOP PRESERVING FORREST WATERTAXI STOP BLAST ISSUE SONE PLAYGROUND CAFETERIA CONFERENCE BUILDING FDR RAMP BLAST STANDOFF 50 M SECRETARIAT ANNEX FDR RAMP 48TH ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY 50 M BLAST STANDOFF LIBRARY STAFF SECURITY SCREENING 47TH ST 46TH ST 45TH ST 44TH ST 1ST AVE 42ND ST 45

POTENTIAL -Faces the river creating a new East River facade. -Relates to the 47st street connection. -Preserves a large amount of green space on the plot. CONSTRAINTS -Enters the blast sone. -Might give a massive amount of glare to 47st street. -Blocks the view of several buildings and 47ts street. -Does not conversate with the excisting HQ. -Doesn t create a common plaza. -Diverges from the Manhattan gridd. -Creates structural issues.

structural sketches / passageways Naoshima Art Museum, Tadao Ando 47

inspiration/reference AROS Art museum, Smidht Hammer Lassen, Århus Ole Scheeren-The Axel Springer HQ BIG Architectsm Technology centre Taiwan 48

SCENARIO FOUR Low structure preserving a large amount of the platform, re-using old space FDR space and connecting to the excisting UN complex. Focus on getting light into the area. The platform is cut through by 47st street to create a connection between the city and the East River. N E A S T R I V E R UN PLOT 47 ST CONNECTION NEW STRUCTURE WATERTAXI STOP WATERTAXI STOP MOVING THE GREEN TO ON TOP OF THE STRUCTURE BLAST ISSUE SONE CAFETERIA CONFERENCE BUILDING FDR RAMP BLAST STANDOFF 50 M SECRETARIAT ANNEX FDR RAMP 48TH ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY 50 M BLAST STANDOFF LIBRARY STAFF SECURITY SCREENING 47TH ST 46TH ST 45TH ST 44TH ST 1ST AVE 42ND ST 49

POTENTIAL -Digg the structure down to work around the blast sone. -Create green roofs. -Does not disturb the surrounding buildings. -Relates to the public. -Enhances the 47st street axis and opens the Manhattan grid. -Connects the UN to the city. -Opens up the facility and creates a transparency. -Challenges the original design. -Work with creating atriums to preserving good lighting option. -Preserves the UN plasa. -Integrates into the excisting structure. -Re-uses old FDR space. CONSTRAINTS -Flood issues -Daylight struggles. -Moves into parts of the blast sone. - 50

CLosed walls / daylight integrations options Low Line, The Low Line Lab, NYC Naoshima Art Museum, Tadao Ando, Naoshima EWH Womans University, Dominque Perrault Architecture, SEOUL 51

inspiration / GREEN SPACE / CLOSED WALLS Housing Koream, Tacau Architects Aeronautical Cultural Centre, El prat Sou Fujimoto Architects, House O (2007), 52

Scenario 4- further studies MANHATTAN 1ST AVE NEW STRUCTURE WATERFRONT WALKWAY 42ND STREET CHRYSLER BUILDING GRAND CENTRAL TIMES SQUARE HAMMARSKJOLD PLAZA 48ND STREET ROCKEFELLER CENTRE TIMES SQUARE 1 ST AVENUE UN Plot overview 53 F

Connections to existing structure In order to connect the new north lawn building to the existing compound studies for the connections were made. This to be able to use the new building in a design to restructure the existing relations. Several different connections were defined relating to the user of the paths. Here portrayed as visitor, staff/ delgate & service. 1ST AVENUE LEVEL c, 4M SECURED PATHWAY ONLY FOR DELEGATES AND EMPLOYEES SERVICE AND STAFF -8M SERVICE ROAD -8M SERVICE VISITS AND LARGER DELIVERIES 0M VISITORS STREET 0M DELEGATE/ STAFF CONNECTION -4M CONNECTING 47ST STREET TO THE WATER- FRONT AND CREATING AN ENTRANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO AREAS OF THE NEW BUILDING. -4M -8M EAST RIVER Model of United Nations Permanent Headquarters 12.21.1948. 54

volume tests Volume experiments with the chosen scenario was conducted, relating to the amount of program and the pathways. 55

GLass following pathways 56

relations to original design Looking at the original design it was clear that it intended the podium to connect with the waterfront in order to create a public plaza. Le Corbusiers original plan also layed out a public garden on the roof of the General Assembly Original sketch, UN Historical Archive 57

sketching connections with plaza Connection to existing Entrance Design 58

atrium design test The volume connected to the Blast zone area has a North wall that s completly closed. This creates a need for daylight. Studies were made using 7m lines to punch out different holes in the roof. After testing out different design and floor plans, the version with three atriums was selected to optimize the use of the plans in accordance with the daylight testings. 59

7x7 Meter gridd 60

Model development Making the site model in 1:1000. To see the 61

Water diversion Volume new design 62

refrences SHUTTER FACADES GRASS ON UN PLAZA RAMP/STAIRCASE Lindbergatelier, Nickl & Partner Architekten 63

GREEN ROOF GREEN WALL Green Roof Detail Patrick Blanck, Perez Art Museum MAIN STAIRCASE ATRIUM ATRIUM Gjensidige Hovedkvartal, Lund+Slaatto Arkitekter Genzyme Center, Behnisch Architekten 64

PRINT RESOURCES The Architecture of Diplomacy: Building America s Embassies (ADST-DACOR Diplomats & Diplomacy) -July 1, 1998, Jane C. Loeffler Internet resources: Manhattan waterfront development http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/cwp/index.shtml East midtown Waterfront http://www.nycedc.com/project/east-midtownwaterfront Blast Issues information https://www.wbdg.org/resources/env_blast.php#funda people Jack Howard- Head of department United Nations ODMU Steffen Wellinger- Guidance Teacher Associate Professor NTNU 66