401 West 22nd street
As the Design Architect for a new corner building within the Chelsea Historic District, the challenge for Li/Saltzman was to create a contextual design acknowledging the nineteenth century row houses of 22nd Street and the taller twentieth century buildings on Ninth Avenue. Beginning with massing and sight-line studies, Li/Saltzman’s design established setbacks and fenestration patterns that responded to the streetscape of the surrounding historic district.
Li/Saltzman’s services included Schematic Design and Design Development, presentation at public hearings, and obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The eight story apartment building with a commercial ground floor features iron-spot brick, bluestone bases and beltcourses, zinc cornices and entry canopy, storefront awnings, and rooftop terraces. Respecting its historic neighbors through thoughtful massing and selection of materials, the design is well-articulated and appropriate to the district.
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- The massing and rhythm of the brick and zinc facades respond to the avenue and side street contexts.
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- The building’s massing is articulated by changes in plane and material at the facades and by set-backs at the penthouses.
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- The residential entrance is defined by a zinc canopy and iron fencing.
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- Massing and sight-line studies were used to develop designs with limited visibility of the penthouses from the public way, in accordance with the guidelines of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
