Kips Bay Towers
Kips Bay Towers was constructed between 1960 and 1965. Famed international architect, I.M Pei, designed the Brutalist-styled, two-building complex in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, which occupies roughly 7 acres of land and includes a 3-acre private garden. Home to more than 4,000 residents, Kips Bay Towers has 12 elevators, all of which are currently undergoing modernization. Responsible for the design of the elevator interiors is Philip Koether from Philip Koether Architects, a "full-service architectural design firm founded in New York City." These elevators were designed for today and created to last; they are comprised of two materials, Stainless Steel and Gorilla Glass. Each elevator is designed in a Raised Removable panel system, the rear walls and side walls consist of three White Gorilla Glass panels by Elevecture. The Gorilla Glass panels, having been "engineered to be thin, lightweight and ultra-durable," make for an exceptional choice in design both because of the aesthetic allure and durability. Complimenting the all-white glass are Stainless Steel accents found in the base, fronts, hand-rail, chair-rail, and doors of the elevators. A unique feature of the design is the Stainless Steel rounded corners found on the rear walls' sides. The elevators are illuminated by a Stainless Steel drop ceiling frame featuring a Gorilla Glass Light Panel also by Elevecture. As is with the Brutalist architectural design of the building, the elevators found at Kips Bay Towers showcase the bare building materials and structural elements with Steel and Glass at the forefront. These are twelve elevators that are minimalistic, sleek, and durable!
the materials involved include the following:
lighting: Stainless Steel frame featuring Gorilla Glass Light Panel
Upper wall Panels: Six (6) panels faced with White Gorilla Glass
Lower Wall Panels: Three (3) panels faced with White Gorilla Glass
Hand Rail, Base, Doors, frieze, reveals, & fronts: faced with stainless steel #4 finish