Dezeen Magazine

Five BIG projects changing the face of New York City

Bjarke Ingels recently revealed that his qualifications are not recognised in the US, yet the Danish architect's firm still has projects springing up all over New York. We've rounded up five set to alter the city's neighbourhoods and skyline.

Last week Ingels spoke about his struggle to become registered as an architect in New York, despite graduating from both Barcelona's Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

"After months and months, and all kinds of lawyer bills, I get a polite letter saying that they don't acknowledge my education and I can go down the route of professional internships," he told an audience at the New Yorker Festival on Sunday.

However, since setting up a New York office in 2010, Ingels' firm BIG has won numerous jobs in the city and across the US. Luckily some of the firm's other partners are licensed, so these projects can go ahead.

See five of BIG's proposed and completed projects in New York City below:


VIA 57 West

VIA 57 West

Dubbed a "courtscraper" by Ingels during a 2014 interview with Dezeen, the tetrahedral residential tower next to the West Side Highway is shaped to provide views of the Hudson River to as many apartments as possible.

Residents began moving into the 709 rental properties from March 2016, and the building was officially announced as complete in September – when photographer Iwan Baan captured images of its impact on the skyline.

Find out more about VIA 57 West ›


Two World Trade Center

Two World Trade Center

BIG ousted Foster + Partners for the second tallest tower at the World Trade Center site in June 2015, with a design featuring a stack of staggered boxes, which was chosen as part of tenant negotiations at the time.

Developer Silverstein Properties said that both projects were still in contention earlier this year, but has since decided to go with Ingels' proposal – although construction will not begin until a new anchor tenant is found.

Find out more about Two World Trade Center ›


40th Precinct Police Station

40th Precinct Police Station

Intersecting blocks clad in concrete, metal and glass will form a new station for New York City Police Department's 40th precinct, in the Melrose neighbourhood of the Bronx.

The design is meant to convey accessibility and public service. "Rather than evoke the notion of fortification, the bricks of the 40th Street Precinct Station reference the various police and community functions that the building serves," said BIG.

Find out more about 40th Precinct Police Station ›


The Spiral

The Spiral

Unveiled earlier this year, the 65-storey office tower known as The Spiral is slated to rise as part of the vast Hudson Yards development on Manhattan's West Side.

A ribbon of planted terraces will wrap around the glass skyscraper, continuing the green space of the popular High Line park that intersects the bottom of the building.

Find out more about The Spiral ›


The Eleventh

The Eleventh

Further down the High Line, a pair of twisting towers similar to BIG's residences in Miami are set to rise in the Chelsea neighbourhood – joining a swathe of development in the area that includes projects by Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel.

Last week it was announced that BIG's project will be called The Eleventh, and that spa resort brand Six Senses will create a luxury 137-room hotel inside, set to open in 2019.