This project presented a unique opportunity to expand a modern design studio, currently housed in a century old Norwegian church, and in doing so, recall the former presence of late 19th century religious architecture in the context of 21st century design and manufacturing methodologies.  

Situated on a brownstone lined street in Hoboken, NJ, a...

This project presented a unique opportunity to expand a modern design studio, currently housed in a century old Norwegian church, and in doing so, recall the former presence of late 19th century religious architecture in the context of 21st century design and manufacturing methodologies.  

Situated on a brownstone lined street in Hoboken, NJ, a neighborhood originally established in the late 19th century, the structure; once a religious communal space (1890), an American Legion Lodge (Chartered by Congress in 1919), and recently the architectural offices of Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects (1995) has over time established a precedent of transformation reflecting the religious, political and sociological conditions of the time.

Pre-Constructed of a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) bent steel tubular skeletal frame, CNC laser cut zinc shingles and steel and glass curtain wall systems, the structure takes advantage of advanced parametric information modeling systems enabling the complex geometric form of the abstracted Apse to be constructed with the modest budget of a traditional urban addition.

1. Why did you use zinc?

Zinc is a beautiful natural product that has extraordinary sustainable properties.  It is amazing flexible, it can be shaped, bent and folded, and it now comes in 3 new colors; blue, green, and red, in addition to the standard quartz and black.  Over time the Zinc product weathers to a beautiful patina which looks better and better as time goes on. This is also a maintenance free product that will last for 90 years.

2.  Was it the first time you where working with this material?

This is the first time I used the new Pigmento colors but we have been using the traditional Quartz and Anthracite Black colors for years as a finish for bay windows, windows cornices, window details, caps, and other architectural details.  We even used the Quartz product once to make custom exterior light fixtures complementing the other zinc details on the building.

3. Did you hesitate with other materials?

Yes, I wanted a material that was timeless and contemporary at the same time. We looked at copper but felt the zinc product offered a modern aesthetic with a greater variety of color.

4. Did the contractors were a help during the process, and how?

Yes, my zinc Contractor Glenn Wyeroski was a big help. His familiarity with the material helped us develop details for installation and waterproofing.  He also spent time mocking up alternatives to test the installation details.