The Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

The holistic renovation transforms the Foundation’s workplace and public spaces and is a manifestation of its mission: to promote the inherent dignity of all people.

Location

New York, New York

Client

Ford Foundation

Expertise

Culture & Museums [FPO] Foundations [FPO] Associations [FPO] & Organizations [FPO] Climate Action & Resilience Brand Design

Opportunity

Completed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates in 1968, the Ford Foundation’s building was hailed as an architectural icon.

A private, nonprofit organization established in 1936, the Ford Foundation saw the opportunity to fully rejuvenate its landmark building, creating an environment that embodies its mission, while preserving the building’s original character and design elements. While not a pure restoration, there was a strong desire to preserve wherever possible, and take cues from Roche-Dinkeloo’s original design where change was required. The organization also sought to incorporate sustainable planning for the health of staff and the environment, presenting an opportunity for many of the foundation’s original design elements to be refurbished, reused, or reimagined.

Why This Matters

01
Mission-Driven Redesign
Efficient planning resulted in more convening spaces, a new welcome lounge, and opening two office floors to lease to like-minded, nonprofit organizations.
02
Preserving a Landmark
The renovation enhances the building’s original character while increasing transparency and accessibility. The renewal brings the building into alignment with New York City safety code and Landmarks Preservation Commission requirements.
03
Vibrant, Accessible Hub
The design improves accessibility. In the atrium, a new brick pathway increases wheelchair access by 50% and opens circulation to the rest of the garden.

FPO Quote

Solution

The Ford Foundation personifies its mission with a forward-thinking redesign that honors inclusion, equity, and diversity in its workplace and public spaces.

Efficient office space planning allowed for openness and flexibility throughout the building. The Ford Foundation was able to reduce its own footprint to make room for a new welcome lounge, two office floors to lease to other like-minded organizations, and a new art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions that speak to Ford’s mission of social justice and equity for all. The garden and gallery are now free and open to the public six days a week.

From brief to build: preserving the character of the original building while drawing on its design to guide new interventions.

The renovation followed the original 6-foot grid module at both floor and ceiling, which set a rationale for all interventions and decision-making. A testament to the timeless nature of Kevin Roche’s design, the new workplace layout is seamlessly integrated within his original planning module. The flooring, ceiling, lighting, and arrangement of design elements were all planned within and informed by the grid. Even new design elements, such as the Ford Foundation’s brand program, were inspired by the module.

Impact

The major restoration and renewal maintains and enhances the building’s original character while also significantly introducing an increase in transparency and accessibility throughout the space.

Sight lines are opened on each workplace floor to introduce opportunities for connection and communication.

What Changed Because of This

01
Championing Inclusive Design
Accessibility improved beyond what was required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing an equitable experience for all who work at and visit the building.
02
Environmental Stewardship
The renovation incorporated sustainable design, wellness strategies, and preservation of the environment. Efficient fixtures save 15% in energy, while daylight and vacancy sensors maximize savings.
03
Mission on Display
By removing a portion of the building’s second floor slab, a double-height art gallery was created to host exhibition programs grounded in the foundation’s mission.

Recognition

01

The New York Times

Coverage examines Gensler’s sensitive renovation of the modernist landmark, highlighting its restored architecture alongside improved accessibility, open workplaces, and new public-facing spaces.

02

New York Magazine

Gensler and Jungles Studio’s careful renewal was praised for preserving midcentury details while improving accessibility, revitalizing the gardens, and creating a more public-facing institution.

03

Architectural Record

The $205-million renovation was praised for preserving the landmark’s character while advancing transparency, accessibility, workplace equity, and the foundation’s mission.

Team

Project Leadership

[FPO] Bevin Savage-Yamazaki

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David Briefel

David is a global leader of Gensler's Climate Action and Sustainability practice and Sustainability Director based in New York. He advances climate action through high-performance projects, portfolio-wide strategies, research, and standards that help the design industry scale measurable environmental impact.

Ambrose Aliaga-Kelly

Ambrose is a Principal and Technical Director in Gensler's New York office, widely recognized for his deep knowledge of Manhattan's commercial office buildings and his ability to evaluate and optimize new and existing properties, translating design ideas into built solutions that elevate the tenant experience.

FAQ

01

Is the Ford Foundation building open to the public?

Located at 320 East 43rd Street in New York, the Ford Foundation welcomes visitors to its restored garden and art gallery, which are free and open to the public six days a week.

02

When was the Ford Foundation building originally built?

The building was originally completed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates in 1968.

03

How long did the Ford Foundation renovation take?

The renovation took two years and was completed in 2018.

04

Is the Ford Foundation building LEED certified?

The project achieved the highest level of recognition for its sustainability performance.

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Related Expertise

Culture & Museums Foundations Associations & Organizations Climate Action & Resilience Brand Design

The holistic renovation transforms the Foundation’s workplace and public spaces and is a manifestation of its mission: to promote the inherent dignity of all people.

Completed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates in 1968, the Ford Foundation’s building was hailed as an architectural icon.

Why This Matters

The Ford Foundation personifies its mission with a forward-thinking redesign that honors inclusion, equity, and diversity in its workplace and public spaces.

From brief to build: preserving the character of the original building while drawing on its design to guide new interventions.

The major restoration and renewal maintains and enhances the building’s original character while also significantly introducing an increase in transparency and accessibility throughout the space.

What Changed Because of This