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.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Profurn are making their presence known on the world design stage with the international award-winning compact seat, JumpSeat.
A winery in the Yarra Valley is fertile ground for an architecture graduate exploring the design-make model. Annie Reid investigates.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Elevate your experience with Saturday Indesign’s VIP Studio Bus Tours.
Paying homage to that wonderful tool of life, the book, SJK Architects’ design for the new headquarters of Penguin Random House is both a temple to the library and a captivating place to work.