SOM completes skyscraper informed by Florida's tropical modernism

Architecture office SOM has completed the tiered The One Flagler office building in West Palm Beach with a white concrete facade arranged to resemble trellises.

The complex is composed of three ascending sections and a seven-storey parking podium at the base. The tallest of the towers reaches 25 storeys high, while the parking garage is seven storeys.

The One Flagler is located off of the Royal Park Bridge on the mainland, which is connected via a bridge to the barrier island that holds the well-known vacation city of Palm Beach.

Developed by local real estate company Related Ross, the office building sits directly behind the historic beaux-arts First Church of Christ, Scientist church and a small adjoining park SOM updated as part of the project.

The two lower towers and parking garage are topped with terraces, while the tallest tower ends in "a crown of LED lighting", according to SOM.

Planted loggias also line the lower podium to create a green backdrop for the church.

The design takes cues from the area's tropical modernism and the desire to complement the neighbouring church, which was built in the early 1900s.

"At its base, One Flagler carefully complements the historic beaux-arts church, and at the top, it creates a bold new beacon on this coastline site," said SOM Partner Chris Cooper.

"Composed as a white, trellis-like structure rising from the lush public park, the building facade finds its inspiration in the rich tradition of Florida's tropical modernism."

The building contains office spaces throughout the towers, ground-level retail and restaurants in the parking podium.

It also contains a reading room dedicated to the church, replacing a former one-storey building on-site.

One Flagler is LEED Gold certified, powered by energy-efficient mechanical systems and an outdoor air system that circulates fresh air to the interiors.

Its deeply set windows also help to protect the building from thermal gain while allowing natural light to penetrate the interior, according to the studio.

Additionally, the surrounding park was outfitted with bioswales to control stormwater and the updated landscape generally introduces biodiversity to the site, once a former parking lot.

Curving pathways run through the updated park and a reflecting pool was added to a corner. The walkways branch off a central plaza in front of the church and connect to various ground-level entrances at One Flager, as well as the surrounding sidewalk.

As a nod to the eight columns of the church, eight parabolic sculptures designed by artist Fred Eversle were placed in the reflecting pool.

"Today's high-end offices need to be rich in amenities, both for its tenants and for the public," said SOM Partner Ken Lewis.

"Together, the newly designed park, the pool, and the artwork establish a welcoming, softer counterpoint to the buildings, and its open space creates a much-needed gathering place for the downtown community."

Elsewhere in West Palm Beach, Foster + Partners renovated the Norton Museum of Art and Madrid studio Ecosistema Urbano reimagined its waterfront for a competition by New York think tank Van Alen Institute.

The photography is courtesy Related Ross by Colin Miller

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