Impossible Design Concepts? We Have the Smart Solution for You.

After years of progress, and some trials and tribulations, it is finally complete: The Shed looks magnificent and showcases incredible multifunctional design concepts. It is a perfect fit for the new office and residential district at Hudson Yards in New York City. The Shed hosts all different kinds of cultural disciplines and combines them with interdisciplinary performances. Furthermore, the multifunctional building serves as a venue for a variety of events, e.g. exhibitions, performances, and lectures in the fields of theater, dance, art, poetry, film, and music.

The New Take on Multifunctional Architectural Design Concepts

The unique design concept encompassed an eight-story building housing two pillar-free galleries. Further, it features a 500-seat theater that can be divided into smaller, separate areas for rehearsals and events. A special feature is the McCourt space – a 1,598 square-meter multi-purpose hall, which is covered with a moveable Texlon® ETFE structure. The ETFE shell moves on rails driven by giant wheels and doubles the usable indoor space of the building making it a multifunctional masterpiece. This one of a kind design has become an iconic structure in NYC.

Technical Expertise

Vector Foiltec designed 146 cushions with 3 layers and two cushions with 4 layers. Further, all weld lines that were designed to be one continuous line. The specialized load sharing valves are our own creation to cope with high wind loads for this area. The air supply for the 148 cushions consists of four air supply units, mounted on the mechanical deck of the building. As a result, they are hidden from plain view.

Moreover, the makeup of the cushions was designed with both form and function in mind. Further, to generate the color of the shell we incorporated a print pattern on the top layer, a white middle layer with 29% opacity, and a transparent bottom layer. Therefore, adding to the uniqueness of this project.

The 90 degree corners of The Shed were a huge challenge. Therefore, we designed multiple cushions and set up a mock up in our German fabrication site. Vector Foiltec worked with mock-ups and testers until we found the perfect shape that would meet the client’s needs and design goals.

Information

Date 2019
Location New York, NY, USA
Sector Cultural/Exhibition
Size 4,110 m²
Structure Steel
Type Roof & Facade, Roof, Facade, Moveable Structure
Architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Rockwell Group

Expert Contact

Alexander Jafari
Vice President of Business Development

The Shed, is an eight-story building that houses two pillar-free galleries, a 500-seat theater, designed so it can be divided into smaller, separate areas for rehearsals and events.
The Shed, is an eight-story building that houses two pillar-free galleries, a 500-seat theater, designed so it can be divided into smaller, separate areas for rehearsals and events.

Vector Foiltec's design encorporates 146 cushions with 3 layers and two cushions with 4 layers, all with weld lines that were designed to be one continuous line.
Vector Foiltec’s design encorporates 146 cushions with 3 layers and two cushions with 4 layers, all with weld lines that were designed to be one continuous line.
Incredible design that can be seen from a distance.
Incredible design that can be seen from a distance.

The unique cushions design illuminated

Image Copyright main, top left and bottom left: © Timothy Schenck

Image top right and bottom right: Vector Foiltec

Why Vector Foiltec?

The Texlon® ETFE cladding system offers designers unparalleled opportunities in the development of the climatic envelope. If you have a project in mind, contact us here to get more information about the Texlon® ETFE system.

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