HIGHRISE BUILDING

PRESENTED BY:
 AAKRITI LAMSAL
 AASTHA SAPKOTA
 AKSHATA ADHIKARI
 BHUWAN JETHARA
 GRISHMA POKHREL
 ICHCHHA BHANDARI
 JENIK PRAJAPATI
 NIKITA PAUDYAL
550
MADISON
AVENUE
550 MADISON AVENUE
Style:
Post Modernism

Location:
Manhattan, New York City

Floor Count:
37

Designers:
Philip Johnson and
John Burgee
 INTRODUCTION
■ 550 Madison Avenue is a prominent skyscraper
soaring 647 foot tall (179 m ) .
■ The land lot covers approximately 36,800 square
feet (3,420 m2) with a frontage of 200 feet (61 m) on
Madison Avenue and 189 feet (58 m) on side street.
■ The construction of the building was started on
1980 and completed on 1984 as the headquarters
for the telecommunications company AT&T.
■ The building was among Johnson and Burgee's
most influential works and, according to the New
York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC),
is sometimes described as the world's
first postmodern skyscraper.
 HISTORY
■ AT&T HQ (1984-1992):
served as the corporate headquarters for American Telephone and Telegrapraph company (AT&t)
■ Sony Building (1992-2013):
Purchased by Sony in 1992, renamed Sony Tower, underwent renovations.
■ Ownership Changes (2013 Onward):
Chetrit Group acquired in 2013 for $1.1 billion.
■ Preservation Concerns (2018):
Chetrit Group proposed renovations, including Chippendale crown removal, sparking preservation concerns.
■ Landmark Designation (2019):
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission designated 550 Madison Avenue as a landmark to protect its architectural
significance.
■ Olayan Group and Chelsfield (2019 Onward):
Chetrit Group sold to The Olayan Group and Chelsfield in 2019.
■ Ongoing Renovation:
Owners committed to preserving unique features while modernizing interior spaces.
 ARCHITECTS
■ The architects of 550 Madison
Avenue were Philip Johnson and
John Burgee.
■ Philip Cortelyou Johnson (July 8,
1906 – January 25, 2005) was an
American architect best known for
his works of modern and
postmodern architecture.
■ Among his best-known designs are
his modernist Glass House in New
Canaan, Connecticut, 190 South La
Salle Street in Chicago, the
Sculpture Garden of the Museum of
Modern Art, and the Pre-Columbian
Pavilion at Dumbarton Oaks.
 ARCHITECTS
■ John Burgee (born August 28, 1933) is an
American architect noted for his contributions
to Postmodern architecture.
■ He was a partner of Philip Johnson from 1967
to 1991, creating together the partnership firm
Johnson/Burgee Architects.
■ Johnson and Burgee's design of the 37-story
tower has made it a celebrated example of
postmodern architecture, blending classical
elements with modernist principles.
■ Their innovative approach to the building's form
and aesthetics has left a lasting mark on the
skyline of Manhattan, solidifying their place as
influential figures in the architectural world.
 DESIGN VISION
When Philip Johnson designed 550
Madison, he drew upon the fundamental
principles of classical architecture to
create a building that felt monumental,
modern, and completely different from
what had come before.
 ARCHITECTURAL
STYLE
• Postmodernism:
• 550 Madison Avenue is a landmark
representation of postmodern architecture, a
movement that emerged in the late 20th
century as a reaction against the rigid principles
of modernism. Postmodern architecture often
incorporates historical references, eclectic
elements, and a departure from the minimalist
aesthetic of modernist structures.
• Historical References:
• The building features a Chippendale-inspired
crown, which is a distinctive historical reference.
This ornamental crown, made of stainless steel,
is an homage to the Chippendale furniture style,
adding a sense of ornamentation and historical
allusion to the skyscraper.
• Reinterpretation of Classical Elements:
• The design includes classical architectural
elements, such as monumental columns at the
base of the building. However, these elements
are reinterpreted in a contemporary context,
offering a playful and postmodern take on
traditional architectural features.
• Mix of Materials:
• The building's exterior incorporates a mix of
materials, including pinkish-gray granite panels.
This departure from the predominantly glass
and steel facades of modernist skyscrapers is a
characteristic feature of postmodern
architecture, which often embraces a diverse
palette of materials for aesthetic richness.
 EXTERIOR
 Chippendale Crown:
 The most distinctive feature of the exterior is the
Chippendale-inspired crown. This ornamental
feature, made of stainless steel, sits atop the
building and sets it apart from traditional
skyscrapers.
 Pediment:
At the roof is a broken pediment, consisting of a
gable that faces west toward Fifth Avenue and
east of the Madison Avenue. The center of the
pediment features a circular opening that extends
the width of the roof.
 Granite Facade:
 The building's exterior is clad in pinkish-gray
granite panels, contributing to its classical and
monumental appearance. The use of granite adds
a sense of permanence and historical richness to
the facade.
 Grid Pattern:
 The facade features a grid pattern of windows,
emphasizing modularity and order. This
repetitive pattern is a departure from the more
irregular designs associated with modernist
architecture.
 Giant Order Columns:
 At the base of the building, there are
monumental columns, reminiscent of classical
architecture. These "giant order" columns
contribute to the building's sense of scale and
grandeur.
 Setback and Public Plaza:
 The building is set back from Madison Avenue,
creating a public plaza at its base. This design
choice allows for an open and inviting
streetscape, engaging pedestrians with the
building's architecture.
 INTERIOR
■ Central Atrium:
– The interior includes a central atrium that extends through
several floors. Capped by a glass roof, the atrium allows natural
light to filter into the interior spaces. The openness of the
atrium contrasts with the more enclosed nature of traditional
skyscrapers.
■ Mixed-Use Spaces:
– Originally designed as the corporate headquarters for AT&T, the
interior includes a mix of office spaces and amenities. The
design considered the needs of a large corporate entity,
providing functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces for work
and collaboration.
■ Historical and Artistic References:
– The interior design may incorporate historical and artistic
references, reflecting the postmodern architectural style.
Postmodernism often embraces eclectic elements and
references to various architectural traditions.
■ Aesthetic Details:
– Aesthetic details, such as materials, lighting
fixtures, and decorative elements, contribute
to the overall design. These details may
reflect the postmodern emphasis on
ornamentation and visual interest.
■ Adaptations Over Time:
– Over the years, the interior spaces of the
building have likely undergone various
adaptations to accommodate changing uses
and occupants. For example, when Sony
acquired the building, interior renovations
were undertaken to suit the needs of the
technology and entertainment company.
 SIGNIFICANCE
550 Madison Avenue, formerly known as the AT&T Building, holds profound
architectural significance as an iconic example of postmodernist design in the
heart of Manhattan. Completed in 1984 and designed by the renowned
architect Philip Johnson in collaboration with John Burgee, the skyscraper
stands as a distinctive departure from the prevailing modernist aesthetic of its
time. Its monumental form, characterized by a Chippendale-inspired broken
pediment at the pinnacle, and the playful use of classical elements, such as
oversized ornamental topiary-like capitals, challenge the rigid geometric norms
of modernism. The use of pink granite and the monumental arched entryway
contribute to the building's unique identity. 550 Madison Avenue exemplifies
the postmodernist movement's embrace of historical references, symbolism,
and a departure from the austere simplicity of modernism, making it a
landmark that reflects the architectural dialogue and evolution of its era.
 WHY ONLY
THIS
BUILDING ??
550 Madison Avenue exemplifies the postmodernist movement's embrace of historical
references, symbolism, and a departure from the austere simplicity of modernism, making it
THANK YOU