American Physical Society Headquarters

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
© Marvel

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

© David Sundberg Esto
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

© Marvel
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
© David Sundberg Esto
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
© David Sundberg Esto
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

The expansion of the American Physical Society (APS) building, located in the Pine Barrens required an approach that was sensitive to both environment around the building and inside it. By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters. Daylight and vegetation permeate the design from an interior courtyard to skylights an

American Physical Society
The building’s exterior highlights APS’s original building with new stainless steel cladding and softens the larger two story mass which encompasses the new addition with a screen of native vines.
American Physical Society
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
0942 APS medium

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

American Physical Society
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
American Physical Society
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
American Physical Society
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
American Physical Society
0942 APS N31 medium

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. In the former layout, multiple equal paths minimize congestion and collisions when moving printed documents. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

American Physical Society
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
American Physical Society
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.
American Physical Society
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
American Physical Society
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

American Physical Society Headquarters

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
© Marvel

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

© David Sundberg Esto
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

© Marvel
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
© David Sundberg Esto
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
© David Sundberg Esto
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

The expansion of the American Physical Society (APS) building, located in the Pine Barrens required an approach that was sensitive to both environment around the building and inside it. By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters. Daylight and vegetation permeate the design from an interior courtyard to skylights an

American Physical Society
The building’s exterior highlights APS’s original building with new stainless steel cladding and softens the larger two story mass which encompasses the new addition with a screen of native vines.
American Physical Society
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
0942 APS medium

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

American Physical Society
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
American Physical Society
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
American Physical Society
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
American Physical Society
0942 APS N31 medium

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. In the former layout, multiple equal paths minimize congestion and collisions when moving printed documents. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

American Physical Society
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
American Physical Society
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.
American Physical Society
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
American Physical Society
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

American Physical Society Headquarters

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
© Marvel

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

© David Sundberg Esto
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

© Marvel
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
© David Sundberg Esto
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
© David Sundberg Esto
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

Connecting APS editorial departments and the building to the landscape fosters both community and environmental harmony.

The expansion of the American Physical Society (APS) building, located in the Pine Barrens required an approach that was sensitive to both environment around the building and inside it. By spanning the new space across the existing we were able to expand APS’s offices with only a minor increase in lot coverage and minimal disruption to their operations. Reworking the parking with permeable paving and rain gardens allowed us to reduce the impervious surfaces. The renovated ground floor and new addition are brought together around a new atrium ringed with common spaces large and small. This creates an active core where staff can come together for planned meetings and chance encounters. Daylight and vegetation permeate the design from an interior courtyard to skylights an

American Physical Society
The building’s exterior highlights APS’s original building with new stainless steel cladding and softens the larger two story mass which encompasses the new addition with a screen of native vines.
American Physical Society
Virginia Creeper vine climbs on the screen envelope, softening the structure and further connecting it to its surroundings. The shading screen here shows vines after 2 years growth.
0942 APS medium

Innovative structural solutions allowed for the construction of a new level over the active lower floor, integrating the old and new sections of the building.

American Physical Society
The central section of the building was demolished to provide a landing point for the structure and to allow for double-height spaces and vertical circulation. The new space was designed to encourage intersections between editors and other staff members now that work-flow between them is electronic.
American Physical Society
The atrium is animated by the structural expression of diagonal bracing contrasted with the soft curves of the skylight. Wood and existing brick walls as well as interior plantings give the space warmth and artwork generated by Marvel from physics journal illustrations provides a focal point for discussion.
American Physical Society
A mezzanine hung from the 2nd level provides a stopping point half-way up the stairs with a cafe, library and small meeting room.
American Physical Society
0942 APS N31 medium

APS’s interior layout had previously been designed around the challenge of moving paper manuscripts through the building. In the former layout, multiple equal paths minimize congestion and collisions when moving printed documents. Now, the paperless office requires a hierarchy of paths and a clear center maximizes chance meetings and intellectual collisions.

American Physical Society
The overlook from the top of the stairs provides a vantage point to meeting rooms, informal gathering areas and the courtyard garden beyond.
American Physical Society
The scale of the double height atrium is complemented by the intimate scale and color of the cafe and meeting room mezzanine.
American Physical Society
All programmatic connections are complemented by natural elements: an inner courtyard to the south brings in the earth and the overhead light monitors bathe the atrium in natural illumination.
American Physical Society
Because the Pine Barrens did not allow American Physical Society to expand their building footprint, Marvel strategized to demolish the small central section of the building and build up from there and over the adjacent building with long-span steel.

Location

Ridge, NY

Client

American Physical Society

Typology

Size

45,000 SF

Design Team

Jonathan Marvel, Guido Hartray, Cat Travers, Martha Bush

Awards

International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum, Diamond Award from American Council of Engineering Companies, American Institute of Steel Construction: AISC IDEAS2 National Award

Consultants

AKF Engineers (MEP), Gilsanz Murray Steficek (structural), Sidney B. Browne & Son (civil), Cameron Engineering Associates (landscape)