Inhabitat » SHIGERU BAN New York City Shutter Houses

November 7, 2007

SHIGERU BAN New York City Shutter Houses

by Emily Pilloton

Shigeru Ban, Shutter houses, green architecture, new york building, japanese architect, curtain house, shutter wall house, shutter homes

Scaling his literal Curtain House into a larger and more dense development, Shigeru Ban’s Shutter Houses are one part architecture, one part art, and one part pure poetry from one of our favorite thoughtful architects. The 9-unit condo located in West Chelsea blurs the line between indoor and outdoor with a perforated metal shutter system that lets residence open and close their spaces on a whim.

Shigeru Ban, Shutter houses, green architecture, new york building, japanese architect, curtain house, shutter wall house, shutter homes

Units range from 1,950 to 3,180-square-feet. The rolling shutters are inspired by Korean delis and Chelsea galleries that use industrial rolling grates to open and close their storefronts. Shigeru makes industrial chic, and allows urban dwellers to let the sunshine in and live among nature even in the bustling Big Apple. Metal Shutter Houses at 524 West 19th Street are scheduled for completion in Fall 2008.

+ Via New York Times
+ Shutter Houses
+ Shigeru Ban

13 Responses to “SHIGERU BAN New York City Shutter Houses”

Hmmmmm Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 10:37 am

This is nice but certianly not new. My husband grew up in Europe and the metal shades are on every building. Since most of the structures don’t have AC that is how they manage the heat. If you tell me that this new building will not have AC and will use the shutters the same way I will be more impressed.

Whistler Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 1:01 pm

Sorry but that living area and dining room seem like they would be just a crap room to spend time in, open or closed. He maybe a starchitect but the last image of the living and dining room doesn’t work for me and the attention to detail in the ceiling….. looks like a bad suburban basement reno.

Kat Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 1:18 pm

so from what i could see on the designer’s site, the shutters are perforated with tiny holes, making them see- thru, right? so they also serve as screens when the windows are open? i really love seeing innovative approaches such as his window system, but i always wonder if bug screens can fit into the equation. not to let my pragmatism detract from the inspiring concept, but i’m a realist.

Kenneth Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

Super cool,… but too bad the units are so large! Why does anyone need 1950 sq feet-nevermind 3,180!?

greg Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 6:45 pm

Thanks, Kenneth -

Those units are ridiulously HUGE!

The Revolution Corporation Says:

November 7th, 2007 at 8:23 pm

Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, of all the projects most lovely
Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, of all the projects most lovely
Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the starchitecture night
Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, of all the projects most lovely

Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, with faithful structurally creative ideas ever-changing
Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, with faithful structurally creative ideas so engaging
Your projects are “green”(washed), in summers glow, and disappear nicely, so white & tasty in winter’s snow
Oh Shigeru Ban, oh Shigeru Ban, we love your tube structures designed to aid the deprived, but what’s with these tube spaces designed for the Nuvo Riche MTV-Live!?!?

Star light, star bright
Wish I may, wish I might
That starchitects will begin designing homes for the average guy.

Well… For what it is, the building *looks* BEAUTIFUL… But the floor plans are mediocre… And other than in the Penthouse, the kitchens are too big & the living rooms too small (for units THIS BIG) … But HEY… It’s a “Shigeru Ban”… & I’ll probably still drool when I see the finished project.

Hugo Says:

November 8th, 2007 at 6:30 am

People, this is an high-end appartment building. Making the units smaller would make the building lose it’s point.

I love the building, and though the idea is not new, the integration of the concept is really brilliant. I am very impressed!

Off Center » Centerpoints 8.3 Says:

November 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm

[…] by Korean delis and Chelsea storefronts with rolldown metal doors, Shigeru Ban is building a nine-unit condo in Chelsea that has perforated metal shutters residents can open and shut at […]

jim Says:

November 8th, 2007 at 2:15 pm

Insert translucent louvers (best I’ve used are from Israel) that seal instead of metal louvers plus an adjustable outlet at the top of the louvers and adjustable openings in the highest point in the facility (usually windows) that are 3 to 6 times larger than the lower openings. Then, Mother Nature will provide much of the heating and cooling needs instead of the utility company. Using this technology, I have been able to put additions on homes that have no heating or A.C. In the wet, damp Pacific Northwest, most of my clients are growing citrus, bananas and tropical flowers in their new family rooms. We have become spoiled by Tom Edison. Study what the best builders did in your area before 1900. Then use it creatively as I do.