50 United Nations Plaza

Foster + Partners · Manhattan · 2015

A historic pillar of San Francisco, revitalized through the invisible power of air and light.

Residential skyscraper in Manhattan, New York.

Featured in Foster + Partners's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.

Major PracticeHidden Gem
Year
2015
Coordinates
40.7517°, -73.9681°
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Visitor Guide

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Visitor Tip

Notice the historic wood windows; they were meticulously refurbished and fitted with laminated glass to improve the building's thermal performance.

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Best Photo Spot

The central courtyard at midday, where the intersection of the historic facade and the new green roof is most visible.

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Access & Hours

GSA government building; public access is generally limited to specific events, but the exterior and courtyard are visible.

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Insider Note

Engineers used CFD modeling to determine that workstation partition heights were critical to the performance of the building's natural ventilation.

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Time Needed

1 hour

Design & Structure

TessellationFolding
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Computational Process

WSP performed a full systems redesign using bulk air flow modeling to implement a hybrid natural ventilation strategy.

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Materiality

Restored historic fabric combined with high-performance laminated glass and a 14,000-square-foot green roof.

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Structural Innovation

The renovation prioritized the preservation of the historic wall coverings by utilizing existing steam piping with new best-practices abatement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed 50 United Nations Plaza?+

50 United Nations Plaza was designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 2015. It is located in Manhattan, United States.

Where is 50 United Nations Plaza located?+

50 United Nations Plaza is located in Manhattan, United States. Its coordinates are 40.7517°, -73.9681°.

When was 50 United Nations Plaza built?+

50 United Nations Plaza was completed in 2015. It was designed by Foster + Partners.

Can I visit 50 United Nations Plaza?+

50 United Nations Plaza is a real building in Manhattan that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.