53 West 53rd Street, Axis Mundi, New York
Axis Mundi has unveiled images of an alternative use for the controversial site of the new Hines Tower in Manhattan, future home to the Museum of Modern Art’s (MOMA) expansion.
The studio came up with a vertical neighbourhood that is intended to be “porous”, said Axis Mundi founder John Beckmann. Irregular vertical ‘fissures’ will allow light and air to flood into the building.
The façade of the building would be broken up by different extrusions of the residences, creating a multi-dimensional, living building.
The concept is intended as an alternative to French architect Jean Nouvel’s 73-storey design for the MOMA. This alternative earmarks the three top storeys for MOMA space and another three storeys for MOMA’s administration.
