In 2001,
the owners of the Marina Café embarked on a two phase renovation of the
restaurant in anticipation of the celebration of the 25th
anniversary of the establishment.
Phase 1 was
the renovation of the bar area and Phase 2, begun in 2005, was the
reconstruction of the main dining room. Architect David L. Businelli, AIA of
Studio 16 Architecture (formerly Salvadeo Associates) was commissioned by the owners to design a new
dining room that took full advantage of the spectacular view of Great Kills Harbor and natural light.
The architects designed a double curved roof profile to echo the waves in the
harbor and to let in north light through clerestory windows. These windows also
function as natural ventilation sources. The interior, designed in
collaboration with Alexandra Fernandez
of DNA Design Group utilizes mahogany to reference yacht interiors, and tensile
fabric sails that reference the adjacent marina. The colors of blue and silver
highlight the space and complete the references to the sea. Sunlight is used as
a material; its quality changes with the time of day and the weather, giving
the dining room many different moods Exterior materials are white aluminum
composite panels and silver anodized aluminum. Structural repair work was also done to the piings underneath the building.
Sustainable
design features include abundant natural light, glue-laminated beams, low VOC
paints, wall-coverings, carpets and adhesives, high efficiency HVAC system,
operable windows, ceiling fans, low voltage lighting and wood from certified
sources.
View Original