128E28 Lofts, the Luminaire, NoMad, NYC

A small building with great presence: how to create a modern AESTHETIC that respects the context

128 East 28th Street, NYC, Kips Bay, NoMad, NY 10026 Completion: 2024 Size: 28,000 SF Type: New 8 Stories Mixed Use

Recent News: interview with Caterina Roiatti discussing the 28th Street project

128E28 Lofts

126-128 East 28th Street, NoMad, New York, NY 10026

New 8 Stories mid-rise mixed use building and interiors, 32,000 SF 9 10 residential units and duplex penthouse. Completion: 2023

THE CHALLENGES

128E28 is an 8 stories building located at the nexus of NoMad and Kips Bay, it occupies a challenging site, comprising two zoning lots governed by very different regulations. The massing strategy takes full advantage of permitted obstructions, maximizing the square footage within the tight zoning envelope, limited heights allowed and narrow lot width.

THE SITE

The zoning classifications are not the only difficult aspects presented by the site, which is not landmarked but classified as contextual, it is located at the crossroad between the historic massive masonry buildings of Park Avenue and the small walkup tenement buildings flanking “Indian restaurant row”. The area is going through a process of revitalization with the introduction of large high rise buildings replacing a stock of low-rise, often degraded, small commercial building, the very tall new glass towers also very present and visible from the site. This is truly a neighborhood of exceptions.

THE MASSING STRATEGY

TRA’s expertise with the City’s zoning regulations optimized the site’s potential, creating maximum value within beautiful envelopes. The massing exploits the permitted zoning obstructions regulations to add valuable square footage. The building, filling completely the allowable envelope, steps back above the sixth floor, allowing for a shared terrace and expressing the duplex penthouse to feel truly like a private separate structure above.

THE DESIGN

As true of all of TRA’s new buildings, the modern aesthetic respects the context.

The design, which connects symbolically to the history of the area, naturally gravitates towards the large massive loft buildings towards the West, texture and complexity, which are essential to our well-being, are created by the shaping of the volumes, not extraneous decoration or costly materials.

THE FACADE

The angular geometry of the mat aluminum pilasters creates a vertical thrust which pays tribute to, and resonates with, the decorative masonry and articulated stone pillars of and rich legacy the landmarked structures. The folded, crisp aluminum panels, which TRA has used extensively for other projects, intentionally differ from the masonry prevalent in the area, to highlight the contemporary, but contextual, aesthetic. The composite bent aluminum panels and all other materials selected for both the exterior and the interior are energy efficient, sustainable and recyclables. In a nod to the heroic modernist buildings of the 60’s and 70’s, the pilasters do not connect to the ground: the upper building gracefully floats above the commercial space, increasing the visibility and scale of the two-level, sky-lighted retail space.

THE CURTAIN WALL

The modern curtain wall contained between the pilasters connects to the new contemporary glass towers that are recently rising in the area and quite visible from the site. The modulation of the curtain wall visually extends the building height, the curtain wall is articulated as to create an inhabitable thickened, inhabitable skin that includes bay windows and window seats. The alternatively angled planes of glass, reflect simultaneously the sky and the street below, amplifying the views of the narrow street.

The rear façade makes the most of zoning opportunities, with long balconies that shield the interior of the environmentally conscious development. The design of the interior spaces, also by TRA, is as minimal and full of light as the trademark façade.

The glass wall assembly, which was tested with full-scale mock-ups, incorporates the sustainable passive house tools that are part of our practice criteria, such as air tight enclosure and thermal bridge free construction,

THE INTERIORS

The design concept is shaped by the desire to augment the performance of the living experience, it responds to the demands posed by the sudden change in lifestyle we all experienced recently.

The design takes full advantage of the two lots: there are only two full floor loft-like units per level. Large windows, screened by film to improve comfort, offer rare natural cross ventilation, passive house practices, attention to acoustics, air-control devices and building-wide water filtration, all contribute to shape an environment that promotes mental wellness. To refresh and recharge, the visitor enters a serene lobby clad with a tridimensional light wood screen whose design recalls the folds of the pilasters, every unit is connected to a private outdoor space, and they all also enjoy a shared recreation space with views of the Empire State and Chrysler’s buildings.

The house public space, where different living modes are made possible, is truly multipurpose: the open living area can be used for group activities, lounging, entertaining, working or dining. The smart kitchen houses two ovens, the statement stone oversized island, serves as prep-area, bar, family dining or additional workplace; individual washer and dryer, the dedicated storage and bike room, all augment the interior space

The den, which doubles as working space, easily transforms into a guest bedroom, it is a quiet retreat where to relax, acoustically separated from the other activities of the house.

Even the circulation space is multifunctional: It doubles as a gallery, complete with a museum-quality display system, the closet doors conceal the technology panels, humidifier and storage.

The natural materials, grouped into a cool palette for the East units and warm palette for the West line, include, in the lobby, large slabs of stone and a custom wood “curtain wall” which recalls the exterior facade, it is a place to disconnect from the chaotic pace of the city. Custom wide width plank wood flooring throughout, smooth Venetian terrazzo slabs in the kitchen, calming large format porcelain tiles from Spain in the bathrooms, Italian kitchen cabinets and custom closets.

The duplex penthouse is designed like a private maisonnette in the sky, with multiple outdoor spaces, ranging from private to public.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Although the design was initiated in 2017, before the new energy codes came into effect, sustainable practices across all scales, informed the design process. analytic tools such as acoustical reports, com-check and fenestration testing and extensive mock-ups were employed throughout the process.

The glass wall assembly, incorporates sustainable passive house tools, such as air tight enclosure and thermal bridge free construction; large windows, screened by film improve comfort, offering rare natural cross ventilation.

Attention to acoustics, Climate control VRF and Zoned Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems contribute to shape an environment that promotes mental wellness. General exhaust is ventilated by a high efficiency Energy Recovery Ventilator that reclaims exhaust air heat and moisture.

The holistic and biophilic design connects the interior to nature provides residents access to the outdoor at every level.

Other sustainable practices tools such the water retention blue-roof system, building wide water filtration, water conservation, air purifier and dehumidification systems and electrical appliances have been specified.

Resilient, low maintenance recyclable, economical materials such as composite aluminum panels, (sparingly used for the façade architectural elements) and porcelain tiles have been responsibly sourced for both the exterior and the interior of the building.

The project celebrates local craft; the New York façade installer has collaborated with the design team on most of the studio’s past projects.

THE CATALYTIC URBAN EFFECT: TRA’S PROJECTS ON EAST 28TH STREET

As it often happened before, one successful project, one that contributes to a rapidly changing area, generated more work along the street.

The second project, 251-253 Fifth Avenue/aka 1 East 28th, is very different, since it includes both the restoration of a Landmark and a Tower. It is located on a prominent corner, on Fifth Avenue right in the middle of the Madison Square North Historic District. The final complex will become the recognizable symbol of the Madison Square North historic district. The new tower and the restored turret both being visible from the Park as well as from the Empire State building. Unlike 128 E 28th Street.

128-East-28th-Street-NoMad-NYC

TEAM

Developer :Charlie Sinha-Architect:

TRA studio: Caterina Roiatti, Robert Traboscia, Winston Wolf

Interiors and lighting: TRA studio

Structural and SOE Engineer: Wexler Associates

MEP Engineer: Jack Green and Associates’

Zoning Consultant: Jam Consultants

Facade Consultant: FSA Associates

Elevator Consultant: Hubert H. Hayes

Acoustical Consultant: Jaffe Holden

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