Uploaded on 2016-10-04 by Daryl King
This photograph is an image of the new residential building that is being designed by the notorious architect Tadao Ando, who wanted to merge some of the principles of Japanese architecture with the aesthetic of the Nolita neighborhood. This project is also being built with the partnership of Sumaida Khurana, a global real estate development and construction management firm, and Nahla Capital, a New York based Real Estate Private Equity firm that works in the behalf of global private clients. The head of Nahla Capital is Genghis Hadi, who was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Reflecting on the name of Tadao Ando himself, viewers are immediately aware of the international network that must exist behind the project for a Japanese architect, who was never formally trained to work with others to complete his work. Closer inspection of the site reveals a series of official documents that states some of the items being used during construction : steel, carbon steel, iron, jackhammers, hoe rams, vacuum excavators, dump trucks, cranes, concrete saws, auger drills, various gases, etc. It isn’t obvious that these materials are involved and the identity of the source of the materials involved is unknown, except for two major things: the plastic, presumably vinyl, banner that identifies the project as SK01-TA-NYC and the barriers that section of the sidewalk for construction. Plastic is a synthetic material made out of crude oil, if not sustainable, and negotiated use is done through OPEC, originally comprised of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The majority of the facade will feature concrete, as can be seen above the green painted panels of plywood, another composite material made out of raw materials that have to be sourced for production. Many pieces are involved in the harmonization of the final building that will feature a green wall that evolves with the season. Yet, all of these details are only pronounced by the Japanese aesthetic of Mr. Ando and his signature command of cement, joined here by greenery. It allows people to see and know why New York City has been nicknamed A Concrete Jungle.