back	August 01, 2008 RSS

Interview with HWKN, the architects behind the MINI Rooftop NYC

Q.: First of all, what's the overall concept behind the MINI Rooftop NYC? A.: New York, it is more of an infrastructure than a city, developer parcels framed by roads. Since New York was founded, the inhabitants have struggled to make the city usable and more human. The concept of the MINI Rooftop NYC is to support New Yorkers in this aim by galvanizing an untapped space. Q.: It looks like you designed different areas on top of the building. What are they for and what's the secret behind them? A.: We have 4 different key features on the roof. A grassy lounging hill that rises 8'-0" above the roof to afford guests an unencumbered view of the NYC skyline and the Hudson River, a 35' light tower that turns into a signifier and an event lighting sculpture, the performance platform embedded into an existing billboard's structure, and a panorama bar overlooking the Hudson River. All 4 elements are tied together with a lightweight grid that is deployed across the expanse of the site. Q.: The MINI Rooftop NYC is built on top of an old warehouse in Hell's Kitchen. How did you contribute in your design to the history and the architecture of this part of New York? A.: The cool part of Hells Kitchen is that it does not have one overall urban or architectural language - it is more a collage of different periods, programs, and interventions. We contribute to the area's heterogeneity by adopting natural conditions juxtaposed against the urban background. Q.: What was the biggest challenge when transforming an ordinary rooftop into an urban oasis? A.: Oh - that is a very good question. Initially when we signed up for the task we said to ourselves "piece of cake!" 9 month later we believe it is one of the biggest challenges New York can offer. First of all we had to find a roof that worked from an egress, structural, and neighbourhood point of view. I believe we checked around 180 different rooftops. Than the zoning needed to be right and the landlord needed to be open to allow the use of his roof. I can tell quite some stories - for example, it turned out that one site we were seriously considering housed 1 Billion dollars worth of art... not an ideal places for crowded roof top open to the public. Q.: Can you tell us something about the creation process of the rooftop? What was the initial idea? Have there been some fundamental changes in the concept or has it always been the same? A.: It is the nature of architecture that it is a very dynamic process that goes through many phases. We started out with a design that created an organic, fully planted perimeter wall that acted as a program sculpture - complicated, elaborate, and beautiful .... Over time we wanted to enhance the experience of the visitor and discovered the opportunity to elevate people above the roof parapet. This is how we got to the hill. During the next steps the hill became more abstracted - or urban as we say and other elements were introduced and brought into an aesthetic relationship. We also had some cost engineering to do - but in the end we believe this made the project stronger since the space and the concept became tighter. Q.: Looking at some of your other projects, you always create very organic sometimes even strange looking constructions. How would you describe your style? And how does the rooftop fit into your conceptual portfolio? A.: We call the work we are doing ECONIC (Ecological + iCON). It is about architecture that goes beyond sustainability and turns into a signifier for a new attitude between humans and nature. Architecture has a unique role to play - it can become (or better it needs to become) more sustainable - but through its physical presence it is de facto an awareness campaign for a better world. Almost like "live earth", the concert series from Al Gore - but with an long lasting physical and ecological effect (Remember, architecture is consuming 40% of our energy globally!)   Watch the first timelapse construction video: Q.: Is this your first rooftop? A.:Both Marc and I have designed roofs as part of larger projects, but this is our first stand alone roof project. Q.: We know it's still top secret but can you tell us what will be the most outstanding feature of the rooftop when the MINI Rooftop NYC is going to launch on the 4th of September? A.:I can just offer you a hint: Magic Carpet: "Disco Floor Revisited!" Q.: We are real „Creative Use of Space" junkies. What about you? Designing Spaces is your life or just a job? A.: Designing spaces is pretty much a full time job - the mind does not rest even when not in the office and not at work. We are constantly surrounded by space and most of them could use some help - or they act as inspiration. Space is not exclusive to architecture and that makes the potential of the fusion between the natural and the artificial so potent for us. Q.: Five reasons why to visit the rooftop in September... A.: Transform yourself into a social, relaxed, inspired, recharged, creative citizen. Related Links: HWKN Matt Hollwich at MINI Space MINI Rooftop NYC Project