Location
New York City, USA
Typology
Office
Highrise
Culture
Year
2026
Status
competition
Client
Staatl. Hochbauamt Freiburg
Size
11,000 m² GFA
Read more
“A clever and attractive idea” – with these words, together with 1st place in Project Management and 2nd place in Design, the jury recognised our proposal for the gut renovation of the German House in New York.
On First Avenue, a generous yet secure public entrance creates a new address for the building. Clear circulation and intelligently integrated security structures provide both orientation and protection. Naturally ventilated workplaces, shared spaces and sweeping views across Manhattan and the East River create an attractive, future-ready working environment. A new layered façade responds specifically to orientation, use and climate. It combines transparency and daylight with high environmental performance, generating energy where opaque façade areas are required. Technical and regulatory constraints are transformed into architectural value: high above Manhattan, a naturally ventilated winter garden creates a shared space for all staff and a new, luminous presence on the New York skyline. The retention and transformation of the existing structure form part of a holistic sustainability concept designed to perform 30% below New York City’s carbon targets.
Location
New York City, USA
Typology
Office
Highrise
Culture
Year
2026
Status
competition
Client
Staatl. Hochbauamt Freiburg
Size
11,000 m² GFA
Read more
The compact double-skin façade significantly outperforms current energy code requirements in both thermal and solar performance. The façade achieves a weighted U-value of 0.19–0.21 BTU/(hr·ft²·°F), approximately 30% better than the code baseline of 0.30. Integrated automated shading systems provide solar control with SHGC values between 0.10–0.33 depending on orientation and environmental conditions. Fresh air supply is mechanically controlled during peak summer and winter conditions, while operable ventilation panels allow occupant- controlled natural ventilation during temperate seasons. Assisted by controlled negative pressurisation through the smoke exhaust system, the façade supports a balanced mixed-mode ventilation strategy. Together, these measures substantially reduce energy demand and system sizing while improving occupant comfort, wellbeing and connection to the surrounding environment.
The compact double-skin façade significantly outperforms current energy code requirements in both thermal and solar performance. The façade achieves a weighted U-value of 0.19–0.21 BTU/(hr·ft²·°F), approximately 30% better than the code baseline of 0.30. Integrated automated shading systems provide solar control with SHGC values between 0.10–0.33 depending on orientation and environmental conditions. Fresh air supply is mechanically controlled during peak summer and winter conditions, while operable ventilation panels allow occupant- controlled natural ventilation during temperate seasons. Assisted by controlled negative pressurisation through the smoke exhaust system, the façade supports a balanced mixed-mode ventilation strategy. Together, these measures substantially reduce energy demand and system sizing while improving occupant comfort, wellbeing and connection to the surrounding environment.
MEP
The project does not seek to compete with the skyline through visual complexity, but establishes a distinct presence through calm confidence, technical sophistication and spatial clarity. Architecture, engineering and sustainability are not treated as separate disciplines, but as interconnected parts of one coherent whole.
The proposed systems approach to this project is based on two goals: a net zero carbon outcome and an improved indoor environment. Our systems design will be fully integrated into the architectural design concept, and will comply with all required codes and standards as indicated in the Project Description. We understand that all systems are required to be replaced to support the long-term operational goals of the project, and have aligned our proposal to an improved envelope that reduces the heating and cooling loads as a primary energy efficiency measure. Functionality and safety drive the design proposal alongside energy efficiency, sustainability and compliance.
MEP
The project does not seek to compete with the skyline through visual complexity, but establishes a distinct presence through calm confidence, technical sophistication and spatial clarity. Architecture, engineering and sustainability are not treated as separate disciplines, but as interconnected parts of one coherent whole.
The proposed systems approach to this project is based on two goals: a net zero carbon outcome and an improved indoor environment. Our systems design will be fully integrated into the architectural design concept, and will comply with all required codes and standards as indicated in the Project Description. We understand that all systems are required to be replaced to support the long-term operational goals of the project, and have aligned our proposal to an improved envelope that reduces the heating and cooling loads as a primary energy efficiency measure. Functionality and safety drive the design proposal alongside energy efficiency, sustainability and compliance.
Our design approach places human wellbeing at the centre of the workplace environment. The German House is conceived not as a generic office building, but as a flexible and resilient working environment able to support different cultures of work from more traditional cellular office layouts to agile team settings, shared project spaces, contemplative work areas and informal places for exchange. A stair as a possible connection increases the interconnection within the same cluster. The light floated double hight space becomes a key meeting point with the benefits of biodiversity and an amazing view over the UN Plaza.
Our design approach places human wellbeing at the centre of the workplace environment. The German House is conceived not as a generic office building, but as a flexible and resilient working environment able to support different cultures of work from more traditional cellular office layouts to agile team settings, shared project spaces, contemplative work areas and informal places for exchange. A stair as a possible connection increases the interconnection within the same cluster. The light floated double hight space becomes a key meeting point with the benefits of biodiversity and an amazing view over the UN Plaza.
The façade is conceived not as a surface, but as a layered spatial and environmental system. The calm and consistent envelope of the typical office floors maximises daylight, panoramic views and transparency while achieving high thermal performance through its narrow-profile double skin construction. Integrated shading devices within the protected cavity create a precise balance between solar protection, daylight and outward views. The strong horizontal expression reflects the panoramic quality of the site and frames views towards the East River and Manhattan skyline, while allowing glimpses into the life of the building. The result is a unified architectural presence within the city — precise, calm, secure and welcoming. Towards 1st Avenue, the façade becomes more open and spatially articulated through an additional shading layer, creating a differentiated civic address. Winter gardens planted terraces and recessed zones generate depth, environmental buffering and a gradual transition between interior and exterior. At the lower levels, a new screen façade forms a protective yet open filter between the street and the consulate. The existing setback is reinterpreted as a small public plaza defined by staggered planting and integrated landscape elements, creating a visible vertical expression of greenery without compromising security. Natural stone seating elements form part of the protective perimeter, transforming barriers into inhabitable urban furniture. At ground level, the façade lifts slightly to form a protective canopy and welcoming threshold. Within the lobby, the security sequence is intuitive and seamlessly integrated into the spatial experience, balancing openness, environmental performance and security within one coherent architectural expression.
The façade is conceived not as a surface, but as a layered spatial and environmental system. The calm and consistent envelope of the typical office floors maximises daylight, panoramic views and transparency while achieving high thermal performance through its narrow-profile double skin construction. Integrated shading devices within the protected cavity create a precise balance between solar protection, daylight and outward views. The strong horizontal expression reflects the panoramic quality of the site and frames views towards the East River and Manhattan skyline, while allowing glimpses into the life of the building. The result is a unified architectural presence within the city — precise, calm, secure and welcoming. Towards 1st Avenue, the façade becomes more open and spatially articulated through an additional shading layer, creating a differentiated civic address. Winter gardens planted terraces and recessed zones generate depth, environmental buffering and a gradual transition between interior and exterior. At the lower levels, a new screen façade forms a protective yet open filter between the street and the consulate. The existing setback is reinterpreted as a small public plaza defined by staggered planting and integrated landscape elements, creating a visible vertical expression of greenery without compromising security. Natural stone seating elements form part of the protective perimeter, transforming barriers into inhabitable urban furniture. At ground level, the façade lifts slightly to form a protective canopy and welcoming threshold. Within the lobby, the security sequence is intuitive and seamlessly integrated into the spatial experience, balancing openness, environmental performance and security within one coherent architectural expression.
