Ford Foundation Building
The Ford Foundation Building, also known as 321 East 42nd Street, 320 East 43rd Street, or the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, is a large 12-story office building in East Midtown Manhattan in New York.
The building consists of a glass and steel cube supported by concrete pillars and clad in Dakota granite. The main entrance is located along 43rd Street. A second entrance on 42nd Street leads to a large public atrium, the first of its kind in an office building in Manhattan. The atrium contains an arrangement by landscaper Dan Kiley and includes plants, shrubs, trees, and vines. Most of the building’s offices are to the north and west of the atrium and are visible from other offices in the building.
Located at 320 East 43rd street, the building could look like any office complex in New York. However, if the visitor is curious and looks into the lobby, he is transported to an environment completely away from the busy streets, to immerse himself in the atmosphere of a hidden forest in the middle of the big city. This architectural jewel, paradoxically, is more than five decades old and is still unknown to many.
The magical point houses the headquarters of the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, an institution with a great history in favor of actions for social good. At the center of the enclosure there is an atrium where a spectacular garden unfolds, with a variety of 40 species of subtropical trees, vines and shrubs that cover every corner. There is also a reflecting pool with a fountain, the sound of which adds an additional element for visitors. Since its inauguration in 1967, the Ford Foundation has occupied the emblematic point. With the activities they carry out, they seek to promote social good and recognize those who dedicate their lives to achieving it, according to the institution’s website.
The green space also offers a sensory section, which allows blind or low vision people to enjoy the experience through touch, and interact with the plants that are displayed there. The tour includes signage in Braille writing, as well as an audio guide. “Our spaces offer unique accessibility features to create an equitable experience for every visitor,” the website reads. With this display of natural beauty, together with the social sense that inspires the institution, the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice building is a must-see for tourists and residents of New York.
The garden in the central part of the building welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays it is only open when there is an exhibition in the gallery.
The building was devised in the 1960s from a commission by Henry Ford II, grandson of the founder of the automobile company that bears the family name. The architectural firm Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates was in charge of the concept, which immediately became a reference on the New York skyline.
“We are proud of the steps we have taken and continue to take to ensure that our physical space reflects our commitment to being a responsible and conscientious manager of the building in which we work and the world outside our doors,” the foundation said after the reopening, in 2018. Now, in addition to its natural charm, the facilities have strict sustainability certificates, which allow considerable savings in water and electricity. The doors and work tables are made with sustainable chain wood and the office furniture has more than 20% recycled content.
The facility occupies the area of an almost perfect square and spans the entire block between 42nd and 43rd streets, in the heart of Manhattan. The spectacular atrium garden was designed by designer Dan Kiley and is considered the first of its kind in the United States.
In 1997, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it an official landmark after verifying that the building withstood the test of time and remains true to its original vocation.
During 2015, an intense remodeling was carried out by the firm Gensler, with the mission of adapting all the interior spaces to modern security regulations. These works required a temporary closure of the facilities and the cost amounted to about US$190 million, according to a chronicle in The New York Times.
In the renovation work, even the smallest details were taken care of. In the sheet available on its website, it is specified that all paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants are free of harmful chemicals to guarantee a high level of air quality in spaces.
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