Home / Arts and Entertainment / Maya Lin's Stone Facade: Nature Meets Manhattan Skyscraper
Maya Lin's Stone Facade: Nature Meets Manhattan Skyscraper
11 May
Summary
- Maya Lin designed a stone facade for JPMorgan Chase skyscraper, inspired by nature.
- The artwork, 'A Parallel Nature,' features granite from Vermont.
- Water features and native plants are integrated into the stone installation.
Artist Maya Lin's latest creation, "A Parallel Nature," adorns the western walls of the 60-story JPMorgan Chase skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. This monumental stone facade, which opened in the fall of 2025, draws inspiration from the natural geology of Central Park and Lin's childhood home in Ohio.
The sculpture features two 59-foot-tall gray stone walls, intricately designed with plants emerging from crevices. Lin selected granite from Barre, Vermont, for the 239 pieces that form the walls, with water features and native New York plantings integrated to create an "unexpected natural moment."
Lin described the installation as her most challenging commission, focusing on balancing natural and man-made elements. The artwork aims to ground viewers by bringing the concept of bedrock to the surface in the heart of the city, echoing the character of exposed rock outcroppings.
Beyond Lin's facade, the skyscraper showcases other public art, including LED works, paintings, and AI-driven displays. JPMorgan Chase intentionally elevated the building's bases to create pedestrian space, intending the art and public areas to offer a respite and moment of reflection for city dwellers.
