Project Details
- Project Name
- Vilcek Foundation
- Architect
- Architecture Research Office (ARO)
- Client/Owner
- Vilcek Foundation
- Project Types
- Cultural
- Project Scope
- Preservation/Restoration
- Size
- 11,665 sq. feet
- Awards
- 2021 AIA - National Awards
- Shared by
- Madeleine D'Angelo
- Project Status
- Built
An abridged version of the below paragraph appeared in the May/June 2021 issue of ARCHITECT as part of expanded coverage of the 2021 AIA Interior Architecture Awards.
Czech by birth and Manhattanite by choice, philanthropist couple Jan and Marica Vilcek established their eponymous foundation in New York as a cultural showcase for the contributions of America’s immigrant communities. To house it, local firm Architectural Research Office turned a historic five-story row house on the Upper East Side into a high-end, high-performance interior for events, exhibitions, and administrative offices for the Vilcek Foundation’s assorted works. ARO’s first task was to create a space that harmonized with the early 20th–century urban manse with a number of mid-century alterations. The designers’ solution slips almost seamlessly into the building shell, comprising enhanced circulation, auxiliary spaces, and a new glazed façade that overlooks the back garden. Besides their thoughtful intervention, the architects further reduce the renovation’s impact with material choices. Wood for the office paneling, bronze for the staircase and grilles, and white stone for the floors mediate perfectly between 1910s Neoclassical reserve and 1960s Modernist chic. In what’s become a sort of ARO hallmark, some of the interior’s most successful moments are things the visitor will never see, such as new HVAC systems discreetly hidden behind crisp white walls and ceilings.
Project Credits
Project: Vilcek Foundation, New York
Client/Owner: Vilcek Foundation
Architect: Architecture Research Office. Adam Yarinsky, FAIA (Principal); Megumi Tamanaha, AIA (Studio Director); Jeff Hong, AIA (Project Director); Zachary Stevens, AIA (Project Manager); Vanessa Ah-Chuen; Nora Yoo; Danielle Brown; Drew Powers, AIA; Jackie Park; Katy Barkan; Kuan Hsu
Structural Engineer: Silman
Mechanical Engineer: Buro Happold
Electrical Engineer: Buro Happold
Geotechnical/Civil Engineer: RA Consultants
Construction Manager: Xhema Industries
General Contractor: see Construction Manager
Lighting Designer: Renfro Design Group
Client Representative: Karen Thomas Associates
Restoration: Walter Melvin Architects
Acoustic: Lally Acoustical Consulting
Elevator: IROS Elevator
Waterproofing: Simpson Gumphertz & Heger
Code Consulting: Jensen Hughes
Expediting: CODE, LLC
Landmarks: Higgins Quasebarth & Partners
Size: 11,665 square feet
Cost: Withheld
Materials and Products
Acoustical System: Baswaphon (Acoustical plaster)
Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants: Dow Corning Custom Color Sealants; Pecora 895 NST Sealant
Appliances: Sub-Zero (Refrigerator); Miele (Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer); Viking (Cooktop, Oven, Microwave); U-Line (Refrigerator); Whirlpool (Washer, Dryer)
Bathroom Fixtures: Dornbracht (Faucets, Shower Fixtures, Accessories) – www.dornbracht.com
Duravit (Washbasins, Toilets) – www.duravit.com; Kohler (Grab Bars & Accessories) – www.us.kohler.com; Bobrick (Accessories) – www.bobrick.com; Robern (Medicine Cabinets) – www.robern.com; Hewi (Accessories) – www.hewi.com
Carpet: Kasthall Macro Melange (Carpet) https://kasthall.com/en/products/macro-melange; Mats Inc. Cocoa Mat (Walk-off Mat) www.matsinc.com
Cabinets: Custom Wood Veneer and Painted Wood Cabinets; Formica ColorCore 2 (Millwork Laminate) –www.formica.com; Parapan (Cabinet Fronts) – www.parapan.co.uk
Ceilings: GRG Technologies (Custom GFRG ceiling panels) http://www.grgtechnologies.com/
Concrete: Lafarge Portland Cement – www.lafarge-na.com
Countertops: Caesarstone Classico (Countertops) https://www.caesarstoneus.com/; Quartzite (Residence kitchen countertops) https://www.abcworldwidestone.com/
Exterior Wall Systems: Sto Powerwall NExT (Stucco) www.stocorp.com
Fabrics and Finishes: Maharam Parallel (Acoustic wall panels) www.maharam.com; Spinneybeck Volo (Leather Wrap at handrail and door pull) https://www.spinneybeck.com/; 3form Chroma (Acrylic door inlays) https://www.3-form.com/; Daltile Natural Hues (Bathroom tile) https://www.daltile.com/; Nemo Interstyle Glasstints (Bathroom Tile) https://www.nemotile.com/; Windowtex EcoFabrix (Shade Fabric)
Flooring: Forbo Marmoleum (Linoleum Flooring) www.forbo.com; Custom Epoxy Terrazzo (Terrazzo Floor)
Hanover Prest Paver (Roof Pavers) https://www.hanoverpavers.com/; Custom White Oak Floor; Custom Douglas Fir and Ash wall panels
Furniture: Custom Wood Table, Bed, Leather Benches, Bronze Benches, and Reception Desk
Furniture not in residence: Knoll – Antenna Workstations, Saarinen Chair, Saarinen Round Table, Florence Knoll Credenza, Olivares Aluminum Side Chair, Stromberg Square Table; USM – Kitos Desk, File cabinets, Bookshelf, Bar cart, Storage Unit; Wilkhahn – Ceno stackable chair, Contas foldable table, On Chair; Montel – Modulart System, Smart Shelf; Vitra – Petit Repos Armchair; Kevi – 2534 U Chair; Carl Hansen – CH88 Chair, CH336 Table; Wittmann – Kubus Sofa
Glass: PPG Solarban 60 Starphire Glass (Windows); Guardian Sunguard SN 68 (Windows); Starphire HS with Ceramic Frit (Interior glazing); Jockimo Crystal Clear with Glassgrit (Glass floor) www.jockimo.com; Custom laminated, tempered, etched and mirrored glass (Elevator cab interior)
Gypsum: Lafarge Drywall (Gypsum Drywall)– www.lafargenorthamerica.com; National Gypsum Gold Bond (Gypsum Sheathing) – www.nationalgypsum.com; USG Durock Cement Board – www.usg.com
HVAC: Daikin fancoil and condensing units – www.daikin.com; Runtal Radiators (Radiant Panels) – www.runtalnorthamerica.com; Zehnder Rittling (Fin-Tube Radiators) – www.zehnder-rittling.com; Jaga Micro Canal (Radiator) – www.jaga.com; Pure Humidifier Co. (steam humidifier) – www.purehumidifier.com; Titus (Diffusers) – www.titus-hvac.com; Seiho (Diffusers) – www.seiho.com; Greenheck (Hoods, Fans) – www.greenheck.com
Insulation: STI SpecSeal (Elastomeric Spray) – www.stifirestop.com; Roxul (Insulation) – www.roxul.com; Thermafiber Safing (Insulation) – www.thermafiber.com; Icynene (Open-Cell Insulation) – www.icynene.com; NCFI InsulStar (Closed-Cell Insulation) – www.ncfi.com; CertainTeed Fiber Glass Insulation – www.certainteed.com
Kitchen fixtures: Franke (Sinks); Dornbracht (Faucets)
Lighting Control Systems: Lutron – www.lutron.com
Lighting: Edison Price Lighting – www.epl.com; USAI – www.usailighting.com; Zaneen – zaneen.com; Bartco – www.bartcolighting.com; Lucifer Lighting Company – luciferlighting.com; LiteControl -www.hubbell.com/litecontrol
Feelux Lighting –www.feeluxlighting.com; Bega – www.bega-us.com; Prudential Lighting – www.prulite.com; Mark Architectural Lighting – marklighting.com; Electrix Illumination – electrix.com; Philips www.philipscolorkinetics.com; Encore – www.encorelighting.com; Lithonia Lighting – www.lithonia.com; GE Lighting – www.gelighting.com; Design Plan – www.designplan.com; Ecosense Lighting www.ecosenselighting.com; Vode – www.vode.com; Luminii – www.luminii.com
Masonry and Stone: Imperial Danby (Exterior façade)
Metal: VMZinc (Exterior panels and trim) https://www.vmzinc.com/; Custom Bronze, Blackened Steel, and Stainless Steel (Stairs and Entry Doors)
Paints and Finishes: Benjamin Moore (Paints); Nortek (Powdercoating at exterior railing); PPG Delfleet Evolution (Coating for Stair) us.ppgrefinish.com; Armourcoat Polished Plaster (Venetian wall plaster) armourcoat.com
USG Imperial (Veneer plaster) www.usg.com
Plumbing and Water System: Victaulic (Sprinkler Heads)
Roofing: Kemper System – www.kemper-system.com
Site and Landscape Products: Pentair Snow Melt System
Structural System: Existing masonry walls and wood joists; New steel beams with concrete on metal deck floors
Wallcoverings: Maharam Digital Print (Wallpaper) – www.maharam.com
Walls: Marino-Ware Metal Studs – www.marinoware.com
Windows and Doors: Artistic Doors & Windows Mfg (Wood Windows); Schuco Curtainwall and Windows; Horus Bronze (Custom Entry Doors) www.horus-bronze.com
Project Description
This project was named a winner in the 2021 AIA Interior Architecture Awards. From the firm's 2021 AIA Award submission:
This extensive restoration has transformed the Vilcek Foundation's new five-story New York headquarters, furthering its critical work of raising awareness of immigrants' contributions in America and broadening appreciation for the arts and sciences. With new space for exhibitions and administrative functions, the project unites an original 1919 building with its mid-1960s renovations at a pivotal moment in the foundation's history.
Outside, the team's renovation strategy merged the original masonry building along Central Park designed by William H. Rogers with later modifications handled by Carson, Lundin & Snow. The cohesive composition is defined by its refined proportions, materials, and details. To highlight the symmetry embedded in the neoclassical façade and enhance public access to the foundation's galleries, the team infilled the entrance with a large marble panel flanked by bronze doors. The rest of the façade was restored to its original appearance.
Inside, the building is organized vertically. Support spaces are located in the cellar, galleries are on the first and second floors, and offices are on the third and fourth floors. A fifth-floor apartment that houses the foundation's director crowns the building.
The two gallery floors are defined by ribbed glass fiber reinforced gypsum ceilings that accommodate lighting, HVAC, and acoustic absorption. Both levels are connected by a new stair crafted from bronze, steel, and terrazzo, and a garden terrace extends from the second-floor gallery. The upper floors include a central common area that houses circulation and reception, where daylight is drawn from a preexisting niche in the east wall. A curtain wall on the rear elevation evokes earlier mid-century windows while providing additional daylight and higher energy performance.
The team designed the custom furniture found throughout the building, namely the reception desk and leather benches in the exhibition galleries. The team also assisted the client in selecting additional furniture, including the office systems and furnishings for the director's apartment.
The careful attention to finish and detail found in this project is reflective of the foundation's commitment to quality for both staff and visitors. The renovated and restored building represents its new identity and reinvigorated public programming, which is free and open for all to experience.