NYC AIDS Memorial Park Competition

We envisioned the Aids Memorial Park site as a reflection of the human body; one with an enduring support structure.  Our proposal approaches the existing utilitarian building and its structural system as a metaphor for how HIV/AIDS impacts the human body by selectively removing building elements and structure to mirror HIV/AIDS’ impact.

Among the proposed design elements is an open amphitheater memorial park with an observation tower and educational facilities which have been carved out of the existing building structure.

Selective building elements such as the “support gate” are new structural elements required to brace the existing facade while outlining the previous building elements profile as a record of the original building scale.

The existing building facade would be preserved and serve as an observation tower to view the memorial park and surrounding community. 

The Remembrance Beacon is a glass spire with OLED digital film that would display images of the faces of individuals affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  The displayed images would be from the AIDS Memorial archives submitted by individuals affected by the illness or relatives who choose to display images of their departed as a memorial. The goal of the Reflection Beacon is to give the disease a human face. Visitors of the Remembrance Beacon will be able to display their images when visiting by imputing the names in a kiosk terminal within the observation tower. 

City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition

There have been many installations of parasols throughout the city over the last few years.  Either exhibited as public art or for retail environments.  The City of Dreams Competition at Governors Island called for the design of a temporary pavilion that would provide shade for outdoor performances and recreation.  We chose the classic white parasol as our main design and shading element.      


Clustered into groups with vertical bamboo masts, the parasols are held together in tension and compression and would be able to sway with the wind.  At the base of the masts are concrete supports cast out of the negative space of the parasols. These supports would also act as seating elements and some would be laid out independently to provide more flexible seating options.    

As part of the competition requirements, we submitted a bill of materials and estimated costs. We did not include cost of labor as this would have been an all volunteer endeavor.

Although we were not able to move on to the next round of this competition it was a great exercise in creative and collaborative thinking.  For now the parasol pavilion will be put aside as we focus on the next big competition.

EXO Cafe

One of our first major projects was EXO Cafe in Forest Hills, New York.  The challenge was to transform an existing New Orleans themed restaurant into a modern and updated Cafe and Bar.  We demolished the existing mezzanine and rebuilt it slightly lower and in a different configuration.  This allowed us to alleviate the existing headroom clearances and create a larger double height space with efficient circulation throughout.  The facade was re-designed to create larger window openings which allowed more light into the space. 

EXO Cafe at night

Interior View of New Mezzanine Level

Interior View of Bar