David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, home of the city’s philharmonic, was an exercise in helping to rebirth one of New York City’s most iconic institutions. Completed in 2022, Modellus Novus reimagined the concert hall’s preeminent hospitality spaces to more directly acknowledge and celebrate the history and communities that shaped the area, namely the Afro-Caribbean San Juan Hill neighborhood that was razed to develop Lincoln Center. Through the creation of welcoming and inclusive environments in both the building’s interior and iconic public plazas, the firm is making space for diverse, future generations of patrons.
Name
Tatiana
Location
New York City
Type
Institutional
Size
11,000 SF
Status
Completed
Project nr
2109
The design of the new flagship restaurant Tatiana—namely the pairing of the ugly and the beautiful—is inspired by the spirit of the New York City of Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s formative years growing up in the South Bronx in the 1990s. Reflecting the cultural vibrancy of the city’s emerging hip hop and art scenes, Tatiana celebrates the chef’s admiration for a complex and contradictory era and city that formed his own identity, while creating an enduring part of that city’s present and future.
Photos by Adrian Gaut
“Chromated-steel columns shimmer like the oil spills that inspired them, while gold chain-link curtains bring fences to mind. In this way, the design for Tatiana becomes a prism, reflecting the best of the surrounding city while making all feel welcome.”
Elle Decor
Stats
1
Rank on Pete Wells' The New York Time's The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City 2023
1981
Year that the photo of the Rock Steady Crew breakdance battling the Dynamic Rockers at Lincoln Center was taken. The photo has been the "spirit animal" of Modellus Novus since the firm’s founding, with commissioned versions mounted in both Tatiana and the MN office
205
Square feet of Japanese-glazed iridescent tile, inspired by the visual effects of wet oil-stained streets reflecting in the sun
19.5
Foot-wide umbrellas for guests in the outdoor plaza’s dining area
3
Ethereal cloud lights, which are customized versions of the Belux Cloud, originally designed by Frank Gehry. For Tatiana, MN worked with David Weiner Design and FMS to add new illuminating capabilities
6
Chair-sit tests were performed by the team before deciding on the customized smoked oak and leather chairs sourced from Carl Hansen and Son
15
Months from start of design to restaurant opening
136
Linear feet of 14-foot high bronze chainlink curtains are installed at windows and glass partitions throughout the restaurant providing both privacy and glamor
50
Main dining room seats
14
Private dining room seats
6
Bar seats
70
Total capacity of restaurant with an additional 64 exterior seats planned for warmer months
13
Ceiling height in feet
208
Square footage of chromate treated stainless steel cladding at existing columns
9
Number of collaborators with whom MN partnered to realize the project
2
Mentors to guide this project: Tod Williams & Billie Tsien
