New York studio Office of Tangible Space has redesigned the interior of the Brooklyn Museum’s cafe ahead of next year’s 200th anniversary.
Brooklyn Museum Café is located in the building’s light-filled entrance pavilion. The pavilion was added to the original Beaux-Arts building in 2004 by Porschek Partnership Architects (now Enid Architects).
The redesigned Brooklyn Museum Cafe’s furniture is laid out like an “island and river”
Featuring a menu by local restaurateur and sommelier Andre Huston-Mack, the redesigned cafe from neighborhood Restaurant & Sons is a great place for locals and museum visitors to enjoy snacks and drinks. It’s meant to be enjoyed.
“In keeping with the museum’s mission,[we]envisioned the cafe as a place where everyone in Brooklyn is invited,” said the Tangible Spaces office. “This space embodies the playfulness, creativity, craft, and expression that makes Brooklyn and Brooklynites unique.”
The cafe occupies part of the building’s light-filled entrance pavilion
The locally-based studio has created a fluid layout that allows visitors to walk through the space.
The furniture is arranged in an “island and stream” arrangement to accommodate diners for a variety of groups as well as those stopping by for a casual coffee.
The periwinkle-colored table has angled sides and forms a meandering shape throughout the space.
“The space is anchored by a large island of seating and an undulating flow of custom tables that mark the walking path,” says the Department of Tangible Space.
The aluminum chair with a large perforated seat and backrest comes with a table including a circular wooden design and a dark green two-top that seats up to six people.
Dark green two-top table with large perforated aluminum chairs
Other tables are made from folded sheets of thin, periwinkle-colored metal with angled sides that can form a snake shape when lined up.
Round cushioned poufs upholstered in pale blue and green are placed around the perimeter, separated by freestanding wooden partitions and potted plants.
OEO Studio uses materials in a “playful way” for Design Museum Denmark’s cafe and shop
“Incorporating bold colors and materials adds playfulness and tactility to the space,” says the studio.
For the new space, the Museum and Tangible Space Office commissioned 10 local artists to design one-of-a-kind stools that will be scattered throughout the cafe.
For more casual seating, a large round pouf is provided
The handmade wooden seats manufactured by Sunday’s were customized by Minjae Kim, Chen Chen, Kai Williams, Ellen Pong, Kim Mpangirai and others.
“These handcrafted pieces not only complement the cafe’s design, but like art, food is an immersive experience that stimulates the senses, evokes conversation, and creates a connection between creator and audience. This reflects our philosophy,” said the Tangible Space Secretariat. .
Brooklyn Museum’s cafe renovates ahead of 200th anniversary
The Brooklyn Museum building, designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1895, has a variety of exhibitions and events planned to celebrate its 200th anniversary.
These include “Breaking the Mold: 200 Years of the Brooklyn Museum,” a showcase celebrating the Brooklyn Museum’s collection and heritage that opens in February 2025;
Office of Tangible Space, founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Perumbeti, has been longlisted in the Best Emerging Interior Designer of the Year category at the Dezeen Awards 2020.
Photographed by Matthew Gordon.
