New skyscraper in Manhattan anticipates floods

Architects have favored resiliency over aesthetics in a new skyscraper which is about to be completed on the banks of the East River, in New York.

Something good came out of the devastating Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as the designing of the “American Copper Buildings” complex started right after the storm that plunged America into darkness. People realized that something had to be done in order to prevent another occurrence.

The underlying idea was to allow residents to survive without power. Architects of the project strategically considered that if people can take the elevator, have an up and running refrigerator, and are able to charge their cell phone, they can wait several days until the situation goes back to normal. Each housing has therefore been equipped with two sockets which are directly linked to the emergency electric system powered by generators. On top of this, in order to limit floods consequences, heating and ventilation systems have been installed more than seven meters above the street level.

For once, the designing of the place has not exclusively been guided by aesthetics. The breathtaking view on the last floor has been sacrificed to leave room for powerful generators. And the entrance hall features unwelcoming steel pillars and an outdoor paving, more suitable in case of flood.