Fotografiska New York

Lead Designers Jerry Kugler, Michele Clement, Yungbin Kim, Terry Nelson

Entry Description

Located on a prominent corner of the Flatiron District, this 1894 Renaissance revival Church House lay empty and neglected for many years. Today it is home for a progressive photography museum. Our goal was to illuminate the architectural details and bring attention to this NYC landmark. As the museum is open until late at night, the façade lighting frames the multilevel interior spaces from bookshop, restaurant and galleries seen from the street level.

Landmarked status meant we could not damage the façade and lighting fixtures could not affect the appearance of the building. To achieve Landmark approval our design uses low profile light fixtures selected for optical control, with custom finish or valance to match the facade and the installation is detailed to prevent damage to the limestone.

Over 15 renderings were studied to determine the preferred lighting layers. Uplights accentuate the columns, linear uplights at each sill illuminate the regressed windows, the balustrades are sculpted with LED linear light fixtures and the entry is defined by ingrade luminaires highlighting the arched portal.

The LED lighting unifies the stone exterior, from the ground floor retail to the second floor restaurant and galleries above. Gallery windows are blocked off and filled with projectors, creating video display windows, used to showcase the exhibitions of the museum.