February 21, 2024

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The AIA Architects League Treated to a Live Tour of LG North American Headquarters

 

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, 70 members and guests of the AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey were treated to a live tour of the LG North American Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The meeting was planned by ALNNJ Past President, Fay Logan, AIA. 

 

Before the full membership arrived, the ALNNJ held its first board meeting of the year in LG’s executive board room, setting plans for 2024. 

When the membership was settled into the presentation space, LG representatives presented the latest technology in home appliances, home security, HVAC, TV/ home theater, audio, and computer electronics designed to improve users’ lives by saving energy, controlling the spread of germs, keeping families safe, sanitizing homes and belongings, and so much more. 

 

Slideshow by and with permission from Alberto Abreus AIA

 

Next, HOK’s Design Principal, Kenneth Drucker FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, presented the firm’s work for the LG North American headquarters located in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. LG wanted to consolidate its North American headquarters on a single site across the Hudson River from northern Manhattan. The facility needed to sustain the Seoul-based company’s leadership in consumer electronics while also protecting the iconic vistas and integrity of the adjacent Palisades Interstate Park, a National Historic Landmark. HOK’s team collaborated with LG’s leaders and local conservation groups to create a design that nestles the 350,000-sq.-ft. building into the landscape and below the tree line. The horizontal headquarters, or ‘groundscraper,’ is 1,300 feet long—equivalent to a 120-story office tower. LG’s new campus has become a post-COVID-19 model for companies seeking flexible office space outside urban centers. The design rejects the deep floor plates that have been so common in suburban office buildings. Instead, two narrow office wings rest on a vegetated plinth that appears to grow out of the earth. The office wings each are less than 100 feet wide, allowing daylight to flood the space and providing views of nature. Open floor plates give people plenty of space to spread out. Stairways are located along the perimeter of the building and enclosed with glass, offering a pleasant alternative to elevators.

LGE US SKS Senior Brand Manager, Donille Peronne and LGE US EDC Operation Manager, John Nicastro, then took the audience on a corresponding tour of the headquarters, highlighting the design innovation covered in Mr. Drucker’s lecture.

 

Slideshow by and with permission from Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA

 

This project includes on-site, recreational, and architectural elements and amenities that boost the mental and physical well-being of their employees as well as the residents living in the community. Along with providing meditative views out to the Palisades environment and river, the project provides easy access to the outdoors throughout the headquarters, enhancing the mental and physical well-being of LG’s people. The project includes outdoor terraces with expansive views of the skyline and landscape, restored woodlands, contemplative Korean gardens, a walking trail, and a basketball court accessible by the public, too.  Both the cafeteria and fitness center open directly to outdoor spaces. This project blends the architecture with the landscape, preserving the existing woodlands and wetlands while restoring much of the land to its natural habitat. A feng shui master guided the design team in orienting the building to the southeast, stepping down toward the river. Adding more than 1,500 trees (most of them mature) and 50 percent more green space to the site softens the ecological and visual impact of the development. A large landscape buffer shields the adjacent residential neighborhood buildings from the headquarters building. An expansive green space faces the Hudson River.

Participants learned about the applications of sustainable design that won this building a LEED Platinum rating from the USGBC, including window louvers, photo voltaic cells, green roofs with native plantings, wetland restoration, woodland redevelopment, stormwater detention, following Audubon Society guidelines for bird protection, including use of frit patterns on glass facades, indirect site lighting, automatic shades, smart lighting systems, electric vehicle charging stations and ample space for bike storage.

After exploring the LG Inspiration Lab immersive tech experience, LG home appliance and home entertainment product showrooms, attendees were treated to a delicious and luxurious open bar, buffet dinner and dessert in the captivating Signature Kitchen Suite Skyline Showroom. In addition to all the learning, a wonderful time was had by all and the Architects League is very grateful for the opportunity. 

According to LG Electronics USA, “the new showroom for “ Signature Kitchen Suite, the industry trailblazer in the built-in luxury kitchen appliance category, exemplifies Signature Kitchen Suite’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences and embracing its renowned True to Food mission.

Situated near the picturesque riverfront of the Hudson River with vistas of the iconic New York City skyline, the showroom serves as the Signature Kitchen Suite’s East Coast hub for brand immersions with builders, dealers, designers and influencers. Forgoing conventional product presentations, the luxury appliance brand instead crafts an immersive experience tailored to its True to Food philosophy by enhancing the culinary experience through a focus on preservation, precision and innovation. The Skyline Showroom serves as a captivating platform for showcasing this mission, where industry professionals and culinary enthusiasts are treated to interactive cooking demonstrations in its state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen and engaging tutorials that blend entertainment with product education.

“The Skyline Showroom stands as the pinnacle point of culinary experience in the Tri-State region, showcasing our luxury built-in appliances at their finest within the LG headquarters,” said Randy Warner, vice president of sales for LG Electronics USA and Signature Kitchen Suite. “This remarkable space serves as a memorable destination, offering a unique and immersive experience for our trade partners. The Skyline Showroom encapsulates our commitment to excellence across our product suite, where guests can witness firsthand the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation that define the premium kitchen experience.”

The meticulously planned showroom features two kitchens and dining spaces, with cabinetry and furniture from renowned luxury brand Molteni & C. Exquisite parquet floors from Listone Giordano, ceramic tiles from Porcelanosa and lighting from INCOLIGHT enhance the showroom’s aesthetic appeal.

“We aimed to create a culinary oasis where functionality meets luxury, and the Skyline Showroom is the manifestation of that vision,” said Helen Cho, head of marketing for Signature Kitchen Suite. “Every detail, from the award-winning kitchen appliances to the carefully curated furnishings and the immersive cooking experiences delivered by our onsite executive chefs, has been thoughtfully designed to inspire and delight our industry partners to experience a unique True to Food culinary journey. From our renowned Napa Valley Experience & Design Center to the newly launched Skyline Showroom, our brand is continuing to cultivate a strong portfolio of engagement tools for our partners.”

The Skyline Showroom incorporates the exceptional product offerings of Signature Kitchen Suite. The space proudly features the award-winning industry-first 48-inch Built-In French Door Refrigerator, along with 48-inch dual-fuel pro-style ranges (boasting built-in sous vide modality), advanced induction cooktops, wall ovens, wine columns, ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators and dishwashers and more. This curated kitchen package embodies the brand’s commitment to luxury and functionality, all with leading-edge technology to provide more flexibility to preserve and prepare food in the best possible way.

Cho added, “The Skyline Showroom exemplifies our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional culinary experiences and showcasing our array of award-winning appliances to our East Coast industry partners. We believe that a kitchen is not just a space to cook, but a place where culinary artistry, leading-edge innovation and purposeful design converge.”

For more information on the full portfolio of built-in Signature Kitchen Suite appliances visit www.signaturekitchensuite.com and follow the brand on social channels @SKSappliances.”

 

 

 

 

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Architecture in NJ, Business, Continuing Ed, Environment | Tagged: #albertoabreusaia, #ALNNJ, #FayLoganAIA, #HOK, #lg, #lgelectronics, #lgnorthamerican, #StaceyRuhleKlieschAIA | Comments (0)