Imagine finding a spot where the noise of the city is isolated to reveal an eagle-eyed view of some of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.
Enter “Flatiron Reflection,” the winning installation of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District and Van Alen Institute’s fourth annual holiday design competition.
Designed by Future Expansion, “Flatiron Reflection” consists of reflective tubes with nooks along its perimeter and an open place at its center that fans out like a stage to reveal the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building and other landmarks near Madison Square Park.
“The installation is designed for three scales of experience: the deeply creased exterior makes spaces for individuals; the interior room offers an intimate panorama for small groups; and the north-facing wedge presents a platform toward the plaza,” Deirdre and Nicholas McDermott of Future Expansion said in a statement. “We hope that the installation opens new possibilities for interaction and experiences while reinforcing the pure public essence of the site.”
The installation will be officially revealed on Nov. 20 at the North Public Plaza on Broadway at Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. It will be open for viewing daily, weather permitting, through Jan. 1 as part of the “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” programming.
Ten design and architecture firms submitted proposals for this year’s competition, and Future Expansion’s design was chosen by a jury with expertise in design and public art.
“’Flatiron Reflection’ most certainly will become a destination for people who already are in love with Flatiron — or are visiting our neighborhood for the first time,” said Jennifer Brown, executive director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership.
