# VIA 57 West VIA 57 West, often referred to as the "courtscraper," is one of the most striking additions to the New York City skyline in recent decades. Designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for The Durst Organization and completed in 2016, the building occupies nearly a full city block at 625 West 57th Street in Hell's Kitchen. Its unique geometry is a hybrid between a traditional European perimeter block and a classic Manhattan high-rise, resulting in a hyperbolic paraboloid form that defies conventional architectural categorizations.  The most innovative aspect of VIA 57 West is its dramatic sloping facade. By pulling one corner of the building up to a height of 450 feet while keeping the other corners low, Bjarke Ingels created a structure that provides its residents with the best of both worlds: the density and views of a skyscraper combined with the communal intimacy of a courtyard building. This jagged, tetrahedron-like shape ensures that natural light reaches deep into the central courtyard and that most units enjoy expansive views of the Hudson River.  At the heart of the building lies a 22,000-square-foot lush courtyard, designed in collaboration with Starr Whitehouse. This space is often described as a "bonsai" version of Central Park, featuring over 80 trees and dozens of native plant species. It serves as a sanctuary from the urban bustle of Manhattan, offering a direct connection to nature for the residents of the 709 apartments.  VIA 57 West stands as a manifesto for Ingels' concept of "hedonistic sustainability"—the idea that sustainable architecture should not only be environmentally responsible but also increase the quality of life and joy for its inhabitants. The building was named the "Best Tall Building in the Americas" in 2016, cementing its status as a landmark of 21st-century architecture.