Two Australian architects have changed the face of New York’s Times Square with this ’urban project’
October 15th, 2008
Australian architects John Choi and Tai Ropiha are behind Times Square’s newest icon. Choi Ropiha Architects entered a competition to design the new TKTS booth in the New York landmark.
The US$20 million TKTS booth redesign was proposed to revive the city’s theatre district, offering discounted last minute tickets for shows – but Choi Ropiha saw it as an opportunity to create something special – a focal point for the bustling location.
While the brief asked for a small scale design, the pair dared to redefine the limitations, creating the concept for a large structure from which the ‘urban theatre’ of Times Square could be observed. A series of large steps, rising away from the Father Duffy monument, glow red at night – a reference to the theatrical red carpet and red curtains.
“The winner is really the winner. Seldom in a design competition with so many excellent entries is the winner so obviously the best choice. It goes beyond meeting the criteria and is even poetic – which is really hard considering the Times Square environment! It will become a landmark,” says competition juror Tucker Viemeister.
The concept was developed by American architects Perkins Eastman and William Fellows Architects. The TKTS booth building will be officially open on 16th October by New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg.
“We hope the TKTS booth becomes a popular meeting point and an enduring marker for Times Square,” John Choi says.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Designed by ARM Architecture and Architectus, the University of Melbourne Arts West showcases object-based-learning in a cleverly playful, richly decorative, digitally integrated ‘cabinet of curiosities’.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
The AIA Alta Wellness Haven offers the complete package for health and wellbeing away from the busy city life in Hong Kong and does it through a stellar interior design.
Caring for our mental health is paramount these days and architecture and design can lead the way as Hassell shows in its latest project in Queensland.