Flatiron Partnership and Van Alen Institute Announce Winner of Third Annual Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition: Flatiron Sky-Line
Oct 31, 2016
NEW YORK, October 31, 2016 – The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) and Van Alen Institute today announced LOT’s Flatiron Sky-Line as the winner of the Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition, the third annual competition of its kind, which called for proposals from New York City design firms for a temporary installation in the heart of the Flatiron District. LOT’s winning proposal, Flatiron Sky-Line, will be the centerpiece of the Partnership’s annual holiday programming and a highly visible landmark in this thriving New York City neighborhood.
Flatiron Sky-Line is a series of 10 large contiguous arches, constructed of white powder-coated steel tubes with LED lights. Hammocks suspended from the arches allow visitors to relax and gaze upon the district’s architectural sights.
LOT, an award-winning architectural and design firm based in New York City and Greece directed by principals Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis, has developed an array of projects, ranging from objects and installations to interior spaces and buildings, across the world, including showrooms, lofts, and sculptural displays. Flatiron Sky-Line will be the firm’s first large-scale public installation in New York City.
“Flatiron Sky-Line is an engaging installation, creating a social space underneath the illuminated arched outline, a structure to walk within and around, gaze through it towards the skyline, and experience Flatiron’s surroundings through a certain lens,” said Leonidas Trampoukis. “The simplicity of the installation’s design will draw in audiences, and, we expect, produce significant feelings as they stand in one of our country’s most recognizable intersections.”
The installation opens to the public on Monday, November 21 on the North Flatiron Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, and will remain on view through the holidays as part of the Partnership’s “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” programming. The installation is permitted through NYC DOT Art.
The closed call competition began in June 2016, when the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership and Van Alen Institute – an organizer of design competitions for more than 120 years – invited five design and architecture firms to submit proposals. Invited firms were: Architensions; Büro Koray Duman Architects; Freeland Buck; LOT; and Young & Ayata. A jury with expertise across the worlds of design and public art, including representatives from the Flatiron Partnership and Van Alen Institute’s board of trustees, reviewed the proposals.
“The holiday installation is now a tradition in the district that is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. It provides a festive experience on the Public Plaza during the holiday season,” said Jennifer Brown, Executive Director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership. “Flatiron Sky-Line most certainly will become a destination for people who already are in love with Flatiron – or are visiting our neighborhood for the first time.”
“This project is an exciting opportunity to engage with a local site and designer,” said David van der Leer, Executive Director of Van Alen Institute. “LOT’s Flatiron Sky-Line offers a chance for visitors to the plaza to pause and witness the spectacular landmarks and invigorating street life of the neighborhood.”
“DOT Art is committed to supporting interactive public art installations that temporarily change the City’s public spaces in both safe and surprising ways,” said DOT Assistant Commissioner of Design + Art + Wayfinding Wendy Feuer. “We are excited to be partnering with the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership for the third year and value the organization’s dedication to commissioning interesting and sometimes playful installations during the busy holiday season.”
Throughout the holidays, the Partnership is encouraging visitors to use the hashtag #FlatironSkyline on Twitter and Instagram to share images of the installation and be entered into a contest to win prizes from local businesses.
Sponsored by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership, Flatiron Sky-Line and the accompanying programming “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” is also made possible with generous support from Presenting Sponsor Meringoff Properties and Contributing Sponsors Grey Group and Macmillan. Several partners provided in-kind donations of products and services to LOT for the installation. They are: Daniel Urrutia for Armour Unsderfer Engineering (AUE); Bliss Hammocks, Inc.; Creston Electronics, Inc.; Fabric Images; Map Design Studio, and Green LED Lighting Solutions.
Competition Jury Members
Nicholas Athanail, The Corcoran Group and Flatiron Partnership board member; Natasha Jen, Partner, Pentagram; Wendy Feuer, Assistant Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation Urban Design & Art; Jessica Healy, Van Alen board member; Michael Szivos, SoftLAB; Jennifer Brown, Executive Director, Flatiron Partnership; Aleksey Lukyanov-Cherny, Partner, SITU Studio; David van der Leer, Executive Director, Van Alen Institute; and, Sherry Dobbin, Director, Times Square Arts.
About the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership
The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District, formed in 2006, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the area’s reputation as one of New York’s most vital and exciting neighborhoods. This is accomplished by maintaining a clean and safe environment for the district’s businesses, residents and visitors; by spearheading area improvement projects; and by marketing the diverse business and retail options in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.
www.FlatironDistrict.NYC
FlatironDistrict.NYC/facebook
@FlatironNY
About Van Alen Institute
At Van Alen Institute, we believe design can transform cities, landscapes, and regions to improve people’s lives. We collaborate with communities, scholars, policymakers, and professionals on local and global initiatives that rigorously investigate the most pressing social, cultural, and ecological challenges of tomorrow. Building on more than a century of experience, we develop cross-disciplinary research, provocative public programs, and inventive design competitions.
www.vanalen.org
facebook.com/vanaleninstitute
@van_alen
About LOT
LOT is an award winning architectural and design firm with offices in New York and in Greece focusing on applying strong design concepts with consciousness and pragmatism around the world. LOT works on an array of projects ranging in scale and complexity from objects and installations to interior spaces and buildings. LOT was founded in 2012 by Leonidas Trampoukis and Eleni Petaloti and in 2014 the office was selected for the Wallpaper* Architects Directory, the iconic magazine’s list of the best architectural talent from around the globe.
www.lot-arch.com
About NYCDOT ART
Launched in October 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program invigorates the City’s streetscapes with engaging temporary art installations. The Program partners with community-based organizations and artists to present murals, sculptures, projections and performances on plazas, fences, barriers, bridges and sidewalks for up to 11 months. Projects are presented within four program tracks: Arterventions, Barrier Beautification, Community Commissions and Art Display Case. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dotart.
