Honeycomb | BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group

The Honeycomb will become the tallest structure in Albany, visible from every point of the resort and serve as a beacon from the sea. Surrounded by extraordinary views of the marina and its surrounding community, the residences in the building offer a variety of floor plans that will suit the diverse lifestyles of its tenants. To emphasize the relationship with its surroundings, the building has a full glass façade and is wrapped in balconies, connecting the interiors with the natural beauty of the Island. Since the prime views are towards the south, these balconies are deep enough to not only provide an outdoor space, but also summer kitchens and a pool sunken into the balcony floor of each unit. These unique pools have a transparent edge towards the plaza, eliminating the visual barrier between the pool and the surrounding environment and allow bathers to become fully immersed in the view of the marina and the ocean beyond. The additional weight of the water is supported by a floor-high beam below, while also providing privacy between adjacent apartments. The repetition of this motif creates a hexagonal pattern in the façade, alluding to natural geometries found in certain coral formations or honeycombs. Different unit sizes introduce dynamic irregularities in the pattern that further amplify this notion. The transparent front of the pools that span each balcony unit literally becomes the face of the building. At night they are illuminated, creating lively reflections on the ceilings of the balconies and activate the façade.

PROJECT TEAM
Partners in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen

Project Leaders: Sören Grünert, Brian Foster
Team, Concept: Benzi Rodman, Jennifer Shen, Karen Shiue, Lujac Desautel, Romea Muryn, David Spittler
Team: Amina Blacksher, Beat Schenk, Benzi Rodman, Brandon Cook, Elena Bresciani, Douglass Alligood, Hsiao Rou Huang, Jakob Lange, Jennifer Shen, Karen Shiue, Romea Muryn, Terry Lallak, Jan Leenknegt, Ziad Shehab