Armani Fifth Avenue,
New York, USA

To preserve the transparency and the artistic intention in respect of planning conditions for 5th Avenue, we developed a unique light façade from a series of vertical, mirror-polished bars that ‘dissolve’ into the architecture of the building and become increasingly sparse along the building’s W56th Street Elevation.
Client
Armani Corp.
Date
2008- 2009
Architect
Fuksas Architects
Contractor
Americon
Photographer
Allan Toft
Photographer
Ramon Pratt
 
Project Team
Keith Bradshaw



“
The façade creates a show-stopping cinematic light façade that wraps the store in a semi-transparent veil.”


The restaurant represents the pinnacle of the Armani 5th Avenue experience and is a flattering environment for both lunch and dinner guests. The light composition balances privacy and glamour by bouncing a warm golden light from the tables on to diners’ faces. Minimal light between the tables allows them to float elegantly within a dark sea. The space is enveloped by diffuse, slow moving patterns from the façade’s light veil – adapted to face inwards in the restaurant, and concealed behind semi-opaque curtains. A light on the curved wall, leading diners into the restaurant ripples like a billowing sail in the wind, triggered by guests passing by.

The interior floors are linked to one another via a sculptural staircase, drifting in form like a plume of smoke. We used light to define the image and experience of the staircase, with apparently invisible sources creating a soft glow that highlights form and provides safe light levels.


Within the high contrast retail space, concealed light pin points each item of clothing as if it were a revered cultural object.

Our concept artwork for the facade also inspired the launch event