This project caught the admiration of the panel for its sophisticated handling of detail and materials. Essentially the refurbishment of an old music hall in Manhattan, the project involved major structural alterations to the retained building frame, excavation of a new basement and construction of an elegant, beautifully detailed glass box building with a magnificent glass spiral stair. In spite of using large areas of glass the designers found ways to comply with NYC energy requirements and used their knowledge of structural glass to great effect. The building gave the client value in the way that the quality of the structure adds to the image of the brand, the pleasure of the customers and the time they are willing to spend in the store. The design makes legible the structural vocabulary of the building and in so doing becomes a beacon of well resolved structural engineering that will be experienced by millions who might otherwise remain unaware of the engineer’s art.
"A small renovation project in New York has become a magnificent demonstration of beautifully resolved detailing in glass and steel. This is where structural engineering and the art of design become one."