David Zwirner

New York, NY, USA

Photo © Jason Schmidt

Drawing © Courtesy of Selldorf Architects

Architects: Selldorf Architects

Location: 537 West 20th Street, 10011 New York, NY, USA
Year: 2013

For David Zwirner’s second location in Chelsea, Selldorf Architects designed a 30,000 sf building that is the first LEED certified commercial gallery in the U.S. The neighborhood’s industrial-aesthetic is the inspiration for the exposed concrete façade. The concrete is contrasted by teak paneling at the street level and on the window frames above. Inside, the 5-story building is organized around the main exhibition space: a 5,000 sf column-free gallery with an 18’-6” ceiling. The space’s concrete floors and large sawtooth skylights recall the aesthetic that the firm developed for David Zwirner 19th Street.

Exhibition space continues on the second floor with a more intimate 2,000 sf gallery with oak floors. Levels three, four, and five accommodate private functions such as viewing rooms, offices, and art handling areas. Concrete is utilized on the interior to create a dramatic stairwell connecting all five floors. The LEED Gold project incorporates environmentally-conscious strategies such as five green roof spaces, premium efficiency mechanical and lighting, maximized daylighting, and locally and responsibly-sourced materials.