15 October 2008

Urban Theatre

Two Australian architects have changed the face of New York's Times Square with this 'urban project'

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.

choiropiha.com