New York Times Headquarters:

At the edge of a revitalized Times Square, and a cleansed Hells Kitchen, city approval allows for the building of the New York Times Headquarters. The transformation will be marked in terms of lightness and transparency. The New York Times Company and architect Renzo Piano revised plans in the immediate aftermath of September 11th, 2001. Revisions included additional height, and lightness. In response, Piano said that Times executives had decided to stick with the concept of transparency and visibility "not really as defiance to terrorism but because it was correct."

As a building that New York can be proud of, The New York Times developed a plan for the building's appearance through a design survey, giving employees a voice in the decision. When asked what best fit the preferred image of their new headquarters the four words most often chosen by employees were dignified, impressive, inspiring and historical. The prototypes they liked best showed simplicity, historical forms, warm colors and materials, a mix of classical and modern motifs, and a spire-shaped roof. Launched in 2000, the Times solicited 16 A-List architects to compete in a private design competition. Among the finalists were the world's most celebrated architects; Norman Foster, Cesar Pelli, Frank O. Gehry and David M. Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Renzo Piano and Fox and Fowle. Renzo Piano was chosen in association with Fox & Fowle (The loosing designs). Consistently Piano evolved his design to the design survey, and all those factors that weren't economic. The Times and a six-member committee of Real Estate executives had fulfilled their commitment to excellence in architecture, and good corporate citizenship; the final design for their new headquarters was unveiled on December 13th, 2001.

Now 52 storeys, the building itself will rise 748 feet. In addition ceramic screens will extend to 850 feet and a spire thrust to 1,142 feet. According to the New York Times, at the summit will be a small grove of maples outside a rooftop conference room, above which a lightweight mast will rise, with no broadcasting or technical function, and will sway in the wind. "It shows where the fresh air comes from," said Renzo Piano. "That is a good enough reason to exist, for me." The screens and spire are both integral to the Times' program. The expression of Piano's modern reinterpretation of historical significance, like a syringe the Times' needle will pierce the sky and the continuity of its neighbors.

Two skins will clad the building, featuring a glass curtain wall designed to give the building a transparent appearance while taking on the changing colors of the sky during the course of the day as light focuses on them from different angles. Blue in the early morning, cool tones during storms, and warm colors as the sunsets. "It will be like a magic lantern," Piano said.

The New York Times Headquarters is straightforward and exhilarating. Clean lines and vertical thrust also make it a significant positive addition to the skyline. With a design quality of a Seagram Building caliber and a visual impact comparable to Citicorp Center, the New York Times Headquarters is at one ethereal, vibrant, and stunning.

Construction will start in the summer of 2003, and will open in two phases during 2005 and 2006.

-AS