Dezeen Magazine

Dattner and WXY create distinctive buildings in New York for dump trucks and road salt

New York firms Dattner Architects and WXY have completed a rectilinear garage wrapped in a metal fins and a sculptural salt shed made of reinforced concrete for the city's sanitation department (+ slideshow).

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

The project is located on a prominent site along the west side of Manhattan, on the northern edge of the Tribeca neighbourhood.

The complex consists of two structures: a large mixed-use building with offices and facilities for sanitation vehicles, and a storage shed for road salt. The two buildings sit across the street from one another.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

Both were designed by Dattner Architects in collaboration with WXY Architecture + Urban Design. The architects set out to create utilitarian buildings that embodied "design excellence".

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

"The design team's approach to incorporating infrastructure at this prominent location is grounded in a commitment to civic architecture, design excellence and environmental responsibility," said the firms.

"The site is a key gateway to the Soho neighbourhood and overlooks Hudson River Park and the Hudson River," they added.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

The main building – the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage – takes its name from the city districts that it serves (one, two and five).

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

Encompassing 425,000 square feet (39,500 square metres), the building accommodates over 150 sanitation vehicles, with spaces for parking, fuelling, washing and repairing.

The five-storey building also houses offices, lockers and eating areas for more than 200 staff members.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman
Photograph by Paul Warchol

The building is wrapped with a glass curtain wall and a brise-soleil made of 2,600 perforated metal fins. Each fin is 30 inches wide (76 centimetres) and varies in length.

The screen reduces solar heat gain and glare while also "breaking down the project's mass into smaller, rhythmic elements," said the designers. Moreover, it obscures views into the facility while still enabling occupants to see out.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

On the south-facing side of the building, the fins move in response to the sun's location.

The garage facility is topped with an expansive green roof that consists of 13,250 trays with 25 different drought-resistant species.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

"A 1.5-acre (0.6 hectare) green roof protects the roof membrane, enhances storm water retention and thermal performance, and softens the view from surrounding buildings," said the architects.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

The ground level of the facility is clad in brick and features a glazed entrance. "An articulated masonry base, decorative sidewalk and plantings add to the building's civic character and pedestrian scale," the firms said.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

Inside, the various levels have designated colours, which correspond with the districts they represent.

The building is a benchmark project for the city's Active Design program, which promotes architectural design as a means for encouraging movement and fitness among building users.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

Located across the street is the Spring Street Salt Shed, which serves as a storage facility for road salt that is used to treat icy roads.

Sanitation facility in New York City by Dattner and WYX Wade Zimmerman

The sculptural concrete building rises 70 feet (21 metres) and totals 6,300 square feet (585 square metres).

Dattner-Architects_WXY_Salt-Shed_Jenna-McKnight_dezeen_936_0
Photograph by Jenna McKnight/Dezeen

The cavernous building is designed to hold 5,000 tons (5,000,000 kilograms) of road salt.

Dattner-Architects_WXY_Salt-Shed_Jenna-McKnight_dezeen_936_3
Photograph by Jenna McKnight/Dezeen

"The Salt Shed's crystalline, faceted planes enliven the reinforced concrete enclosure," said the design team, adding that the building's sculptural form serves as a visual counterpoint to the rectilinear Manhattan 1/2/5 Garage building.

Dattner-Architects_WXY_Salt-Shed_Jenna-McKnight_dezeen_936_1
Photograph by Jenna McKnight/Dezeen

When first proposed over a decade ago, the garage and salt shed evoked controversy, largely because of their size and prominent location. Residents complained that the facilities would drive down property values in the area.

Dattner-Architects_WXY_Salt-Shed_Jenna-McKnight_dezeen_936_2
Photograph by Jenna McKnight/Dezeen

The controversy has died down, with many now praising the buildings. New York Times architecture critic, Michael Kimmelman, recently wrote: "The garage and shed have ended up being not just two of the best examples of new public architecture in the city but a boon to the neighbourhood."

For job opportunities at Dattner Architects, visit their company profile on Dezeen Jobs.

Photography is by Wade Zimmerman, unless otherwise stated.


Project credits:

Architects: Dattner Architect, WXY
Clients: NYC Department of Sanitation, NYC Department of Design and Construction
Structural Engineers: The Burns Group
Civil & M/E/P Engineers: Greeley and Hansen
Curtain Wall Consultant: Front Inc.
Lighting Designer: Domingo Gonzalez Associates, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP
General Contractor: DeMatteis/Darcon Joint Venture
Construction Manager: Turner