The 113 Spring Street project in New York’s SoHo district, designed by the acclaimed global studio Snøhetta, is a profound redefinition of physical space in the digital age. Conceived not as a fixed office or a traditional showroom, but as a “Concept Lab,” the interior prioritizes flexibility, experimentation, and public engagement. Snøhetta’s signature approach—blending architecture with landscape and demanding material honesty—is on full display, creating a space that honors SoHo’s industrial heritage while looking decisively toward the future of work and retail. The design strategy leverages modular components, sustainable materials, and a deliberate neutrality to facilitate constant transformation, positioning the Lab as a dynamic workshop for prototyping ideas and engaging with the public imagination.
Architectural R&D: The Concept of the “Lab”
Snøhetta approached the 113 Spring Street project with a philosophical commitment to function, asserting that the space itself must be an active participant in research and development. This goes far beyond the typical retail or corporate headquarters design.
The designation of the space as a “Lab” suggests that nothing within the interior is permanent. It is intended to be a flexible testing ground for new products, interactive technologies, and evolving consumer experiences. This commitment required the architects to design a system, not a static environment. The Lab must seamlessly transition between roles—one day hosting a high-level corporate workshop, the next an exhibition open to the public, and the day after that, functioning as a traditional office. This demands materials and structures that are durable, adaptable, and easily reconfigured, embodying the very process of iterative design.
SoHo Heritage: The Industrial Framework
The design success of the 113 Spring Lab hinges on its respectful yet innovative relationship with the architectural history of its SoHo location, defined by its cast-iron facades and loft structures.
The space occupies a classic loft building, characterized by high ceilings, open floor plans, and massive windows that maximize natural light. Snøhetta retained this essential industrial framework, using it as a neutral container for the new interventions. The design minimizes interference with the existing shell, celebrating the raw volumes and historic textures of the structure. This preservation of the industrial heritage creates a powerful contrast with the sleek, modern interventions, grounding the futuristic concepts being prototyped within a recognizable, authentic New York context. The tension between the old and the new is a defining characteristic of the Lab’s aesthetic.
Material Honesty and Sustainability
In line with Snøhetta’s established commitment to environmental consciousness, the material palette for 113 Spring is defined by sustainability, tactile warmth, and an unwavering commitment to honesty.
The studio favored materials that are either reclaimed, recycled, or locally sourced, emphasizing a circular design economy. Wood, likely light-colored oak or birch, is used extensively for its warmth and regenerative properties, contrasting with the coolness of exposed concrete or stone elements. Furthermore, materials like cork or specific recycled plastics are employed for their acoustic and modular advantages. By leaving materials in their raw or minimally finished state, Snøhetta ensures that the interior has an inherent textural richness, appealing to the sense of touch while transparently communicating the building’s sustainable origins and function.
Spatial Fluidity: Modular Design for Multi-Use
The heart of the Concept Lab’s innovation lies in its spatial fluidity, achieved through clever use of modular and movable architectural elements that allow the entire floor plan to be dramatically reshaped on demand.
The use of movable partitions, retractable screens, and modular furniture systems is central to the design. Unlike fixed walls, these components allow the space to quickly shift from a single, large, collective assembly area to a series of smaller, private workshop pods or individual retail display zones. Even the seating and display fixtures are designed to be easily collapsed, stacked, or relocated, empowering the users—whether employees or artists—to be the architects of their temporary environment. This commitment to adaptability ensures the Lab can perpetually refresh its function and aesthetic, aligning perfectly with its experimental mandate.
Beyond Commerce: Engaging the Public Imagination
The philosophical goal of the 113 Spring Concept Lab extends beyond commercial success or internal corporate function; it is fundamentally about creating a transparent interface between the creative process and the public.
Snøhetta designed the space to encourage interaction, utilizing the street-level location and large windows to offer glimpses into the work being conducted inside. This transparency demystifies the design and innovation process, inviting curiosity and engagement from the SoHo community and beyond. The Lab is an architectural realization of the idea that good design should be accessible, participatory, and communicative. It establishes a powerful benchmark for future urban spaces, where the lines between office, showroom, and public forum are dissolved in favor of a dynamic, communal center for creativity and imagination.
