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Vertical view of the façade to the left of the atrium; The Ford Foundation building is a radical departure from the usual kind of New York office tower. Roche, who was the principal designer of this building, aimed at producing an environment for the prestigious Ford Foundation in which the individual worker or visitor could identify 'with the aims and intentions of the group.' The result is, as far as I know, unique in modern building: within the confines of a twelve-storey block, a vertical conservatory shaft rises to full height and windows open on to this planted space from all floors. The two uppermost floors contain the executive offices and dining areas which, instead of being planned on an L shape, close the square of the building. p. 286 Source: Sharp, Dennis; Twentieth century architecture : a visual history, London: Lund Humphries, 1991 (0853315981) (accessed 10/9/2007)