We are please to announce the opening of the TKTS project in Times Square, New York. Please find below images and design information. |
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TKTS Booth / Redevelopment of Duffy Square, New York The TKTS project which opened on 16th October 2008 by Mayor Bloomberg is a culmination of an extraordinary process that started with the largest design competition in New York City’s history of the time in which Choi Ropiha were selected as winners from a field of 683 international entries. The challenging brief was to redesign a classic New York icon, the TKTS booth at the centre of Times Square. Whilst the brief simply requested designs for a small scale architectural structure to replace the existing ticket booth, Choi Ropiha's winning entry reframed the competition as an urban design project. Key to their approach was the thinking that as one of New York City's great gathering points and a focus of urban theatre, both literally and metaphorically, Times Square had nowhere for people to sit and enjoy the passing show, no iconic arrival marker, no picture postcard to leave with. It seemed like a theatre without seats. . The response was to terrace the public domain upward as a series of tiered red translucent slabs to form this much needed seating, and to house the new booth underneath. In order to give this gesture further potency, the tiered seating is lit from below causing the whole staircase to glow at night and strengthen the presence of TKTS in the visually charged context of Times Square. The structure also forms a backdrop for the nearby statue of Father Duffy, and importantly, forms new public space where TKTS clients and visitors alike can pause to sit and take in the 'theatre' of Times Square. Following on from the competition, the concept has been developed and progressed to construction by architects Perkins Eastman (responsible for the booth) and PSKB Architects (responsible for the plaza). Through their input, the concept has evolved to become an exceptional bespoke glass structure sitting on an expanded open plaza. The TKTS booth has instantly become a popular meeting point and an iconic marker for Times Square. In addition, by expanding the function and the identity of the TKTS booth, it strengthens TKTS' position as a New York cultural institution. The TKTS project has been widely acclaimed for the way in which the design provides public and private benefits while simultaneously strengthening the essential character of Times Square. The project has received the 2007 New York Art Commission Award, 2009 AIA NY Chapter Design Award Merit, 2009 D & AD Award Environment Category, 2009 Municipal Art Society of New York - MASterworks Award, 2009 American Planning Association NY - William H. Whyte Award, 2009 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Public Space, 2009 I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review, 2009 IESNA Illumination Award: Lumen Citation for Integration of Light, Architecture and Signage, 2009 AIA NY State Chapter Design Award Commercial Category, 2009 AIA NY State Chapter Best in State Award and 2009 AIA Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture.
Quotes "The winner is really the winner. Seldom in a design competition with so many excellent entries is the winner so obviously the best choice. It goes beyond meeting the criteria and is even poetic (which is really hard considering the Times Square environment!) It will become a landmark." Tucker Viemeister, juror. “It has been rewarding to see so many stakeholders and government agencies unite behind the concept with the common belief that the project can make a difference.” Tai Ropiha, partner of Choi Ropiha “We hope the TKTS booth becomes a popular meeting point and an enduring marker for Times Square.” John Choi, partner of Choi Ropiha
Project Information Project - TKTS Booth / Redevelopment of Duffy Square DESIGN CREDIT CREDIT DETAIL PHOTOGRAPHY
Press For further information, please contact Katie Thackway at T +61 (0)2 9977 3700 |
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