Sculpted Steel Identity: 41 Cooper Square

Added : 27 Sep 2010 | Visits : 2523 | Average votes : %

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California-based architectural firm, Morphosis brings a contentious architectural statement that shatters the historic pastel hues of the Manhattan neighbourhood in the form of 41 Copper Square—the new academic building for Cooper Union.

The Cooper Union organisation traces a 150-year old historical legacy of Peter Cooper’s vision of providing education as “free as water and air”. When Morphosis, a California-based architectural firm was given the opportunity to design the new academic building for the same, various explorations of the radical optimism of the Cooper Union were manifested under the direction of its principal architect, Thom Mayne. The firm lends its signature luminous skin to the exterior of the building as a reflection of the culture and contextual vibrancy of the Manhattan neighbourhood. The building salvages most of its materials from the demolishment of the Hewitt Academic Building that it has replaced.

The project, dubbed as the 41 Cooper Square after its address, emerges as a true epitome of the activities it houses- Art, Architecture and Engineering. The state-of-the-art aesthetics also conform to an array of green building strategies incorporated over an expanse of 175,000sqft. Condensing two programmes into one, the 9-storyed structure is a shiny transparent modernity owing to its stainless steel mesh façade. Raw concrete stubs that anchor the building to the site, jut out from under the steel curtain. The interior of the building gives an experience like jumping into the rabbit-hole and falling through a vortex of steel, concrete, glass and Perspex.

The sun-catching steel envelope comprises of a high performance double exterior skin with a semi-transparent layer of perforated stainless steel that allows visual connectivity with the ambient environ while acting as an environmental regulator at the same time. Showcasing its eclectic functionality, the corner of the façade is lifted up defining the entrance for the visitors. Reversing the conventional, the breaks in the façade coffer an astounding viewpoint of the creative activities that reverberate inside. The curving of the façade profiles the central atrium nestled in the heart of the interiors. The building revolves around this central atrium that was designed to encourage interaction between the two entities of the building.

The interiors of the building interlink the three schools together through a collaborative design ideology undertaken by the architects. The vertical piazza stretches to contain an exhibition gallery, auditorium, lounge, and multi-purpose and retail spaces. The spaces are illuminated by the play of light and shadows induced by abundant windows fostered behind the transparent shell enabling 75 per cent daylighting. The entirety of the atrium revolves to focus on a 20ft wide linear staircase which escalates to four storeys. A sculptural web encases the stairs, rendering elegance to the celebrated feature of the building. As a continuity, a series of staggered stairs further lead up to the skylights. Derived as a means to eliminate the increasing use of elevators, the stairs act as a converging point for social exchange between the students.

In spirit of its inventiveness, the building endorses green building strategies. The perforated steel panels offer a protective cover from heat radiation during summer and as insulation for the interiors during winter. In addition, green roof gardens and terraces, radiant HVAC ceiling panels, a co-generation plant that transfers excessive heat into electrical energy, recycled and renewable finishes and materials, advanced air quality systems, bicycle storage and parking spaces for low-emission and clean air vehicles, high energy-related systems, and express elevators contribute to make the structure achieve LEED Platinum rating by saving 40 per cent more energy than any standard structure of its type.

Swathed in the metallic sheen, 41 Cooper Square transforms the streetscape with its rebellious attitude of deviant imagery, smart functions and sustainable contribution.

Text Compiation: Maanasi Hattangadi

Photographs: courtesy Morphosis

Architect’s Website: www.morphosis.com