The hoardings that interject New York City's blocks, covering building sites, are rarely given a thought by architects or developers. It's notable, then, that the structures in front of Zaha Hadid’s much talked about residential tower beside New York’s High Line have been transformed into a veritable art installation, unveiled last week.
Titled Allonge, the temporary structure, which provides mandatory cover for the High Line’s pedestrians, is as fluid and curvilinear as the building – 520 West 28th Street – currently in construction next to it. Made from a silver metallic fabric that stretches over an undulating metal frame, the installation is a dazzling articulation of Dame Z’s signature style, that everyone can walk through. Almost 15 ft high and 112 ft long, the tunnel is inspired by the movement that occurs on the High Line. Not coincidentally, its sculptural form also echoes the design of the tower itself.
'Our collaboration with Ms Hadid has been exceptional and we are thrilled to unveil this new installation, designed to beautify the necessary overhead protection system. This beautiful installation serves as a civic gesture to the neighbourhood, embracing the innovative and artistic spirit of West Chelsea,' says Greg Gushee, executive vice president of Related Companies, the developer behind the project.
520 West 28th Street’s 11-storey building is made up of 39 individually conceived loft-style residences and eschews the archetype of rectangular units for a more amorphous footprint. The tower’s futuristic design, which fuses together two chevron shapes, is set to be a glittering addition to the High Line vicinity. With completion set for June 2016, the building still needs a while to take shape. In the meantime, a visit to Allonge will do just fine.
Made from a silver metallic fabric that stretches over an undulating metal frame, the installation provides mandatory cover for the High Line’s pedestrians
'This beautiful installation serves as a civic gesture to the neighbourhood, embracing the innovative and artistic spirit of West Chelsea,' says Greg Gushee, executive vice president of Related Companies, the developer behind the project
520 West 28thStreet marks Zaha Hadid's first residential build in New York City. The 11-storey building is made up of 39 loft-style residences and will complete in June 2016
The tower’s futuristic design fuses together two chevron shapes and eschews the archetype of rectangular units for a more amorphous footprint
-
Wallpaper* Architect Of The Year 2026: Lina Ghotmeh, FranceAsked about a building that made her smile, Lina Ghotmeh – one of three Architects of the Year at the 2026 Wallpaper* Design Awards – discusses Luis Barragán’s Capuchin Convent Chapel and more
-
What do creatives pin to their walls? Artists from Tracey Emin to Michael Stipe reveal allAn exhibition at Incubator gallery, London, asks 42 creatives what is tacked to their studio walls – here are some of their pin-ups
-
A local’s guide to Florence: 9 unmissable hauntsOur contributing editor Nick Vinson spends half the year in Florence. Here, he takes us on a tour of his don’t-miss diversions
-
The New Museum finally has an opening date for its OMA-designed expansionThe pioneering art museum is set to open 21 March 2026. Here's what to expect
-
This remarkable retreat at the foot of the Catskill Mountains was inspired by the silhouettes of oak leavesA New York City couple turned to Desai Chia Architecture to design them a thoughtful weekend home. What they didn't know is that they'd be starting a farm, too
-
Wallpaper* Best Use of Material 2026: a New Mexico home that makes use of the region's volcanic soilNew Mexico house Sombra de Santa Fe, designed by Dust Architects, intrigues with dark, geometric volumes making use of the region's volcanic soil – winning it a spot in our trio of Best Use of Material winners at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026
-
More changes are coming to the White HouseFollowing the demolition of the East Wing and plans for a massive new ballroom, President Trump wants to create an ‘Upper West Wing’
-
A group of friends built this California coastal home, rooted in nature and modern designNestled in the Sea Ranch community, a new coastal home, The House of Four Ecologies, is designed to be shared between friends, with each room offering expansive, intricate vistas
-
Step inside this resilient, river-facing cabin for a life with ‘less stuff’A tough little cabin designed by architects Wittman Estes, with a big view of the Pacific Northwest's Wenatchee River, is the perfect cosy retreat
-
Remembering Robert A.M. Stern, an architect who discovered possibility in the pastIt's easy to dismiss the late architect as a traditionalist. But Stern was, in fact, a design rebel whose buildings were as distinctly grand and buttoned-up as his chalk-striped suits
-
Own an early John Lautner, perched in LA’s Echo Park hillsThe restored and updated Jules Salkin Residence by John Lautner is a unique piece of Californian design heritage, an early private house by the Frank Lloyd Wright acolyte that points to his future iconic status
