CHESTNUT HOTEL AND CONDOMINIUMS
KNOT THEORY // Mathematics describes a knot as an embedding of a circle in 3-dimensional Euclidean space, R3, considered up to continuous deformations (isotopies). This is basically equivalent to a conventional knot with the ends of the string joined together to prevent it from becoming undone. The study of such objects forms a branch of mathematics called knot theory. The simplest knot, called the word, the unknot is not “knotted” at all.
The tower is sited prominently in a dense commercial district of Center City Philadelphia. The unique form of the Unknot Tower is generated from a specific zoning study of the site. By de-coding the zoning envelope we found an interesting possibility to build the full zoning envelop which, by intertwining the form, resulted in creating a crystalline void inside, around which spaces are organized.
The three related programmatic environments: hotel, retail, and residential are creating programmatic overlaps, sharing services, lifestyle amenities and open outdoor spaces to be used by both the hotel and the condominiums. Two distinct outdoor urban spaces are provided for, one at each end of the unknotted loop: a ground level entry plaza at the north side, and a cantilevering pool volume at the south façade. The Crystalline Void inside the knot connects all and contains an outdoor Terrace and Roof Garden, looking out over the private pool shimmering below.
The building contains a hotel of 145 keys, a 8000 sf restaurant [Atelier Robuchon, Paris], a 16,000 sf Spa [Espa London], and a library by Assouline. There are also 29 high-end condominiums and 59,000 sf of valet parking under the building.
INFO
Client:
Building: CREI Real Estate
Restaurant: Joẽl Robuchon, Paris
Spa: Espa, London
Library: Assouline
Project Type: 5 Star Hotel & Condominiums
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Area: 300,000 sf // 27,870 m2
Status: Construction Drawing Phase
Design: Archi-Tectonics
Principal in charge: Winka Dubbeldam
Project Leader: Brian Holland
Architect of Record: JK Roller Architect
Archi-Tectonics Team: Patrick Wong, Jordan Trachtenberg, Liz Piller, Stephanie Herberstein, Alexandra Joseph, David Barr
Consultants:
Structural Engineers: Thornton Tomasetti Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: Edwards & Zuck Engineers
Curtain Wall Consultant: Israel Burger
