Danish architecture studio BIG has unveiled 1550 on the Green in Houston, which is the studio's first skyscraper in the state of Texas.
Developed by Skanska USA, the 28-storey skyscraper across from Discovery Green park in Downtown Houston consists of a "bundle" of six towers that curve slightly as they rise, with the tallest of the masses reaching a height of 450 feet (137 metres).
"By breaking up the building into a bundle of towers, we created a dynamic quality to the building," BIG lead architect for the project Jenna Dezinski told Dezeen.
BIG has completed a staggered skyscraper in Houston
The procession of towers curves slightly, away from the adjacent park. Dezinksi said that this allows for the park to feel like part of the building when viewed through the glass-lined ground floor. At the higher end of the structure, BIG placed the core of the building, creating a thicker footprint than at other points.
"The core is attached to one side of the building instead of being in the centre of the building," said Dezinksi.
It has terraces on the top of each step
For the facades, BIG mixed reflective glass with vertical fins that were placed "programmatically", according to Dezinski.
On floors three through eight, where the building's parking was placed, the fins were placed more densely, whereas on the higher floors, where there are offices, the fines are spaced allowing for more uninterrupted views.
Michael Hsu Office of Architecture...