The GreyRoof is primarily an entertainment space located on top of the Grey Group’s office building in the Flatiron District in lower Manhattan. The project tries to take on an equally iconic presence at a smaller scale as its neighbors around the Madison Square Park such as the MetLife, Empire State building with its colored lights and evening presence. The Space is a “FirmCultureBuilder” that will serve usage for leisure, work and entertainment at all scales from a private refuge with the morning coffee, to outdoor collaborative meetings and workshops, and to larger events and launch parties.
The design consists of three structures, The Pavilion, the Terrace and the Annex. These structures are tied together with an armature, a half height perimeter enclosure designed as a fence of planters and benches that mark the extent of the property line. The planters are filled with Manhattan spread and Japanese maple tree. The design plays off the structural module of the base building in a seemingly rigid approach but then introduces a playful game of variation and change in unexpected ways.
The Pavilion is the main structure and centerpiece. It is a 14 feet high asymmetrical steel pergola structure with Ipe’ wood louvers. It has a 60ft bar counter that can service from both sides and holds integrated lighting and a large projection screen for movie nights and presentation of new reels. The variation in the wood louvers of the pergola casts a textured shadow over the Biergarten style furniture setting below.
The Terrace is a hybrid of an amphitheater with bleachers and stage. It is used for launch events but also to view performances.
The Annex holds support functions such as restrooms and storage but it also provides the only full covered area and makes it ideal for meetings and collaborative work. The restroom wall covering were designed with algorithmic scripted line work and pattern to evoke emotions of a festive atmosphere.