jet fuselage interpreted as offices inside kayak.com HQ in new york

an abandoned police station has been transformed into the fast-paced offices of kayak.com, an online travel agency. based in new york, the newly interpreted work space plays a sharp contrast to the gothic style and masonry architecture designed originally by architect james gamble rogers. by taking advantage of the high ceiling heights, an jet fuselage was inserted and suspended in the hangar like building shell- a fitting intervention celebrating the raw nature of the used building and simultaneously referencing kayak’s business in air travel.

a suspended catwalk provides access into the fuselage, which is used as a conference center
all images © beinfield architecture

completed by beinfield architecture, the architects adapted the warehouse-like space with the approach of preserving the ornate details left by the original structure. exposed brick, metal and the trusses has been left in its original state with the new office rooms constructed from metal and glass.

the oval shape of the spiral duct reinforces the aeronautic aesthetic

the suspended fuselage is supported by the reinforced trusses and accessed only by a footbridge, emphasizing the floating and aeronautical nature of the intervention. the volume itself houses a digital virtual conference center that connects the headquarters to the other kayak offices globally. an unfinished character is illustrated by the exposed mechanicals and ductwork that rises though the building from the basement to become an architectural element in composition.

a used jet fuselage was originally to be suspended but due to difficulties, a new fuselage was built from within

the executive offices are located on the ground floor, meanwhile the upper level is used for collaboration, work stations and meetings. to keep with the aeronautics aesthetic, the reception desk is made out of re-purposed plane parts.

polished concrete floors, metal and glass contrast with exposed brick

the reception desk is made out of re-purposed plane parts

ductwork rises from the basement becoming an interesting architectural element

the original building was designed by architect james gamble rogers who is known for a ‘yale gothic style’

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