The sustainable Flower Tower budding at the Long Island City waterfront

The ‘Flower Tower’ Condos, as imagined by architect Karen Bausman — photo

Wow. Say hello to the ‘Flower Tower’ condo project. Curbed has the scoop on Long Island City’s latest new development, mysteriously slated for a ‘location near the East River’. Bye-bye curtain wall. Hello Solar Panal facade.

The brainchild of Karen Bausman, who says about the project: “As its name suggests, Flower Tower’s façade is designed to operate like a wall of morning glories—adjusting to sunlight throughout the day, both regulating light and gathering solar energy.”

From the website:

“Flower Tower, a 16-story residential building project for Long Island City, New York, rises from the shifting city grid and in close proximity to the East River, taking its place along the newly imagined and reinvigorated waterfront. An icon for sustainable development, the tower’s east and west façades, each a dynamically programmed array of glass and steel, are configured to gather solar energy and return what the building does not consume to the local power grid.

The full-service loft condominium will contain a range of spaces public and private — rich in form, light, and materials that will inspire strong community spirit. Accommodations include a ground floor restaurant and café and art gallery, further solidifying vibrant interaction among the residents and local community.”

Ok, it’s not exactly budding. According to Curbed, the project is alive, but has not begun construction.

• Flower Tower offers further proof of the Genius of LIC [Curbed]

• Project Flower Tower [Karen Bausman website]

• Cooper Union interview with Karen Bausman [pdf]