By its very presence, architecture can act as a catalyst in creating the identity of a place. Our project proposes construction of an air rights building in the center of Queens Plaza above the Queensborough Plaza elevated subway station, and placed in alignment with the Queensborough Bridge. The 200,000 SF office building will be directly accessible from the station below; a pedestrian connector will create a link to a large parking structure and to the underground Queens Plaza subway station, directly connecting the building with seven subway lines. Future development of the Sunnyside Rail Yards will make access to commuter rail lines possible.

screen image courtesy of Jacqueline Humphries

The building has a double skin, with an intermediate environment in the space between the two layers which will allow operable windows and will greatly improve the acoustic environment. The outer skin is conceived of as a translucent rear-projection surface that would provide an enormous area (130,000 SF) for advertising and other displays. The building acts as an active agent that ignites the district by its presence, as if the excitement of Times Square has been inserted into this urban setting, creating natural conditions for development.

The building has a double skin, with an intermediate environment in the space between the two layers which will allow operable windows and will greatly improve the acoustic environment. The outer skin is conceived of as a translucent rear-projection surface that would provide an enormous area (130,000 SF) for advertising and other displays. The building acts as an active agent that ignites the district by its presence, as if the excitement of Times Square has been inserted into this urban setting, creating natural conditions for development.

screen image courtesy of Jacqueline Humphries

The building is inserted into the heart of Long Island City

The project hovers over the approach to the Queensborough bridge, connecting to the ground in multiple locations

The mezzanine level connects the building to the public space. A direct connection is provided to additional subway lines and parking.

The existing two-level subway station is sandwiched between the new building and the roadway.

A sky lobby acts as a transfer floor to the office building above. Mechanical services are located at this level.

Offices are set back from the outer skin, which allows for a mediating zone to temper the harsh surrounding environment