neri oxman set to open a new research and design lab in manhattan

designer, scientist, and inventor neri oxman is set to establish a new research and design lab in the heart of new york city. the lab will occupy part of the ‘787 11th avenue’ building in manhattan, which, since 2015, has been undergoing a $100 million USD redevelopment led by american developer the georgetown company. the building itself has been redesigned by uruguayan architect rafael viñoly.

image courtesy of the georgetown company (main image courtesy of neri oxman)

787 11th avenue, which was originally completed by industrial architect albert kahn in 1929, has been totally renovated to create rental space across ten stories, including a two-story glass-clad top. two tenants have now been confirmed to occupy the newly-renovated building: the icahn school of medicine at mount sinai, which will develop a new 165,000 square foot (15,329 sqm) healthcare facility, and neri oxman, who will build a 36,000 square foot (3,345 sqm) research and design lab. this 200,000 square foot (18,581 sqm) ‘life science hub’ will include state-of-the-art laboratory, research, clinical and biomedical facilities.

the project was previously featured on designboom in 2016 | see our coverage here
image by neoscape, inc, courtesy of the georgetown company

neri oxman, who currently leads the mediated matter research group at MIT, is set to continue her work at the intersection of technology and nature, where she explores how to align contemporary architecture and design with the natural world. the lab will research, design, and implement inventions to address complex challenges across product, architectural, urban, and planetary scales.

the building has been designed with large, open floor plans
image by neoscape, inc, courtesy of the georgetown company

architect rafael viñoly redesigned the building, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping views of the hudson river, and a 12,000 square foot (1,115 sqm) rooftop amenity. importantly, the building’s oversized floor plates and generous ceiling heights can easily accommodate specialized laboratory and mechanical equipment, while large windows ensure natural light throughout. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the existing building will be crowned with a glass rooftop extension
image by neoscape, inc, courtesy of the georgetown company