Last week, a group of us from the Garden Conservancy visited the Ford Foundation building and atrium, located at 320 E. 43rd St in New York. This gorgeous property is the result of a 5 year collaboration between architects Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo of Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo & Associates and landscape architect Dan Kiley between 1963-1968. In the mid-1990s this building and its atrium were named a New York City Historical Landmark.
The exterior of the building is composed of Corten steel, grey-pink granite and endless glass panels that span twelve stories of office space used by The Ford Foundation and other organizations similarly dedicated to social justice causes.
The atrium in housed within those walls, creating a 160 foot tall space with light flowing in from all directions. The atrium’s garden is adjacent to the Tudor City garden so one experiences a seamless flow of green space between these two areas.
There is a 13 foot grade difference between 42nd and 43rd streets, so Dan Kiley created three levels of garden terraces connected by pathways and stairs, with a reflecting pool at the lowest level. You can see through the windowed entrance on 43rd straight through to the greenery in the garden on the 42nd street side which is lovely to see!
In October 2016, The Ford Foundation undertook a significant 2 year restoration and renovation with San Francisco-based Gensler and Coconut Grove, Florida landscape design firm Raymond Jungles. They did a fantastic job under difficult circumstances one would expect in working with a landmark protected property. The obstacles they confronted in restoring the garden were enormous and included working with existing narrow doors to bring in 50 foot trees with large root balls and experimenting with beneficial bugs and bats to create an environment where the plants could thrive.
Part of the renovation included reinforcing the seams to stop leaking and removal of grime that had collected on the building over the past 50 years.
As you look up from the atrium, you can see plants on the deck areas of the third, fourth, fifth, and eleventh floors, taking the planting palette into the upper tiers of the atrium.
The Ford Foundation building and atrium are open to the public, so definitely put this destination on your list for the next time you visit New York. It is a spectacular site and experience.
