Boutique Design - December 2015 - 50

2 015 GOLD K E Y AWARDS

BEST RESTAURANT FINE DINING
WINNER

RAINBOW ROOM
New York
DESIGNER

Gabellini Sheppard Associates, New York

THE BRIEF Revitalize a beloved but aging event space into a state-of-the-art,
flexible venue suitable for hosting high-caliber banquet and restaurant functions.
Blend the old with the new. "Many aspects of the original Rainbow Room had to be
re-created, as a myriad of elements within the space had been damaged through
the years," notes Michael Gabellini, design partner, Gabellini Sheppard Associates.

The centerpiece of the Rainbow Room update involved
modernizing the rotating dance floor at its center. "For this element to endure
with future generations, the floor was restructured to include new framing,
acoustics and a new rotation motor underneath a newly built platform," Gabellini notes. "We also restored the dome ceiling directly overhead, and refinished
it in a white gold leaf." In addition, the designers added color-changing LED
perimeter lights within the cavity of the dome that further accentuate the crystalline character of the chandelier and illuminate the dance floor.
THE INSIDE SCOOP

GENIUS TIME To play off the venue's famous name, the design team
installed crystal window veils at each window opening, providing a prismatic

rainbow effect during the day and the look of a shimmering crystal constellation in the evening.
THE TAKEAWAY In a restoration like this, what's not seen is just as important
as what is. "Updated building systems and contemporary technologies were
sensitively integrated throughout the room," says Gabellini. "New lighting, air
conditioning, and audio-visual equipment were discreetly constructed into the
piers and across the ceiling. In addition, acoustic engineers worked to create
a state-of-the-art sound experience while not disrupting adjacent floors. To
achieve this, the ceiling includes a finished acoustic system and the north and
south walls are covered with fabric wrapped acoustical panels."

SOURCES

OWNER: Tishman Speyer; DESIGNER: Gabellini Sheppard Associates: Michael Gabellini and Kimberly
Sheppard, design partners; Daniel Garbowit, managing partner; Laurin Goff, associate and project
manager; Ozlem Akcay, associate senior designer; Tomoko Hirose, Courtney Adams, Kentaro Ishihara,
Livia DiMario, Roman Falcon and Sohyun Kim, design team; ARCHITECT: Montroy Andersen DeMarco;
PURCHASING COMPANY: Evenson Best; GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Turner Construction; ACOUSTICS
CONSULTANT: Longman Lindsey; AUDIOVISUAL CONSULTANT: CMS AV Solutions; LANDMARKS
CONSULTANT: Higgins Quasebarth; LIGHTING CONSULTANT: Tillotson Design; MEP: Edwards & Zuck;
ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS: Eastern Millwork Inc. (millwork); Bendheim (glass), Galaxy Glass (glass);
Empire Architectural Metal & Glass (metal and glass); Jaroff Design & Mison Concepts Inc. (specialty
metals); NE&WS Metal Works, Art & Accessories (metal handrails); Preciosa (crystal curtains); CARPET
AND RUGS: Creative Matters; DANCE TURNTABLE: Pook Diemont & Ohl Inc.; FABRICS: Brentano;
Cortina Leather; Dedar; Designtex; Garrett Leathers; Holly Hunt; Knoll Textiles; Larsen Fabrics; Luna
Textiles; Pollack; Theo; FLOORING: Haywood Berk Inc.; Platinum Terrazzo; LIGHTING: Lukas Lighting;
TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONICS: Crestron Electronics Inc.; Pyrok Acoustement; WALLCOVERINGS:
ECO (fabric wrapped panels); Evergreene Architectural Arts (specialty finishes); Continental Marble &
Stone (stone); WINDOWS: Skyline Windows LLC

"THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL
BLEND OF OLD MEETS
NEW.  IT MAKES PEOPLE
WANT TO DRESS UP
AND REALLY DINE OUT"

PA U L WA R C H O L

- CHRISTINE SHANAHAN

50

boutiquedesign.com DECEMBER 2015
http://www.boutiquedesign.com
Boutique Design - December 2015

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