CASE STUDY: THE REINVENTION OF BRYANT PARK

MaAd was tasked to update a venerable institution and make Bryant Park Grill as immediately recognizable as perhaps the Apple Glass Box on Fifth Ave. A new roof structure is crafted from polished stainless-steel panels and glass reflecting the energy of Anish Kapoor’s The Bean in Chicago and Norman Forster’s Vieux Port Pavilion in Marseilles. The new structure, branded as Sunsets and Stars, promises to become an Instagram destination, with revenue substantially improved as the structure would be in part air-conditioned and heated. While previous endeavors toward a permanent structure encountered opposition, our proposal seeks to enrich the rooftop as a year-round experience to include a glass-enclosed climate-friendly lounge.

Our re-think includes a proposal to enhance the main dining room. and Garden tent. We had the fortune to collaborate with Artist and lighting designer Joanna Grawunder for custom lighting. For the Garden Tent south of The Grill the design envisions a dynamic interplay of light and structure incorporating a shell of operable polycarbonate panels partially covering the existing tent structure. During the day light filters through the semi-opaque roof while at night the entire structure becomes a radiant beacon of light with the goal of bringing further attention to the Garden Tent and the beauty of The Park.

The B.P. Cafe on the 42nd Street side of The Park invites patrons to enjoy the charm of outdoor dining. A new Library Lounge will host sections of banqueted areas with tea-height coffee tables to encourage intimate gatherings for drinks and appetizers, while the new communal Reading Room tables encourage more lively interactions. These new seating areas will complement the bounty of regular dining tables, bar seating, standing high tops, and open kitchen dining stools.

Lighting in the Cafe is newly addressed by a thoughtful screen that travels the perimeter of the deck, giving a warm glow to the seated areas. The lower portion of the screen evokes the tactile sensation of endless bookshelves. The communal reading room tables with their tall table lamps provide a balanced glow of light at the center of the Café.