THE NEW YORK TIMES BUILDING, Lobby Garden

Project Details

Project Description

As part of Renzo Piano Building Workshop and FX Fowle Architect's de¬sign team, HM White led the design of the New York Times Building Lob¬by Garden. To understand the proposed courtyard's environmental condi¬tions, HM White engaged micro-climate specialists to analyze the space to develop a carefully calibrated final design. A counterpoint to its dense, bustling Times Square neighborhood, the open-courtyard reveals a se¬rene, symbolic fragment of the Hudson River Valley woodland landscape.

The native Birch and Moss garden is a dynamic backdrop to the Times Center auditorium and New York Times tower lobby. The building’s transparency highlights the garden’s ever-changing backdrop for visitors and tenants, facilitating their connection to the garden’s transformations throughout each season. The subtle undulating topography contrasts with the lobby’s surrounding floor and the courtyard’s timber walkway. These ground level movements showcase the flowing masses of the gar-den’s two Moss species. The moss is supported by a custom irrigation system, emitting a fogging mist for a daily atmospheric garden event. The minimalist design emphasizes bold simplicity to depict a strong natural statement that harmonizes with the building’s design elements.