As such, the architecture employs sweeping
curves and dramatic cantilevers that give the
impression of a sculpted or molded form. At
the base of the free-form buildings are molded
landscape berms which ground the buildings and
give them a sense of weight. The berms also serve
as privacy screens to the offices and help soften
the street edge.
The building needed to respond to three critical
and very different edge conditions. On the northern
edge the building needed to integrate with a
sloping street edge condition. It was important
Gateway West
that the building responded to the street with
active façades while still protecting the occupants’
privacy. On the eastern edge the building needed
to embrace a very prominent urban piazza with
reflection pond. This piazza is highly visible from
the main vehicular entrance to the City and is used
as spill-out areas for some of the Mall’s restaurants
as well as an area of reflection for the building’s
occupants. Arrival to the building via this piazza is
marked by a triple-volume atrium that is flooded
with light and allows a visual connection into,
through and between the buildings wings.
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