Behind the façade: WORKac's hidden penthouse, 3D-modelled capitals, and other subtle interventions in 'the Obsidian Building'

2016-11-11T13:42:00-05:00

In the latter half of the 19th century, areas of New York City, in particular SoHo, got a facelift courtesy of a major new technology: cast-iron. Cheap, sturdy, and easily to install, cast-iron façades were used to dress up older industrial buildings and attract new tenants. The material was pliable yet durable, and could be easily cast into ornate forms, which were often informed by classical Italian and French designs with an American twist. More than just an aesthetic embellishment, replacing the façade dramatically changed the experience of the interior, allowing for enlarged windows and higher ceilings.

Archinect - Features

Behind the façade: WORKac's hidden penthouse, 3D-modelled capitals, and other subtle interventions in 'the Obsidian Building'