New York restaurants tap into World Cup fever, Michael Jantzen reimagines monuments as power generators, and Stefano Boeri transforms a Roman train station into a sprawling mixed-use destination. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
We’re in the blue period of dining
A cobalt blue-drenched day-to-night concept in Dubai designed by VERHAAL; photo by Natelee Cocks
We’ve officially exited the era of millennial pink and arrived in a state of blue. From Los Angeles and New York to London and Berlin, a rich royal blue reminiscent of artist Yves Klein is dominating dining rooms and coffee shops. According to Eater some design experts posit the booming primary color as a natural progression from soothing post-COVID pastels. Deep shades of cobalt, ultramarine, and lapis lazuli are also considered to reflect intelligence and design savvy distinctive enough to pop in person and on Instagram. Perhaps most importantly, it feels equal parts accessible, elite, and, of course, arty. Heck, even Vogue dubbed Yves Klein blue the “winner of the night” at this year’s Met Gala. To avoid lazily lumping all these blue tones under one moniker moving forward, please refer to the authority on the color.
NYC restaurants launch World Cup deals
The bustling dining room of Red Rooster in Harlem, New York; photo courtesy of Red Rooster
Speaking of New York restaurants, the city’s sprawling F&B landscape is catching World Cup fever with six weeks of $26 specials. With a slew of soccer matches hosted nearby at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is incentivizing travelers and fans to venture cityside for some grub. Nearly 300 restaurants citywide have already registered to offer Five Borough Winners Specials, a $26 prix fixe menu of food or drink deals, Time Out reports. Staples like Red Rooster in Harlem, Morgan’s in Prospect Heights, Armondo’s in Jackson Heights, and Naro at Rockefeller Center are among the participating eateries. Others are opting to offer special World Cup-themed cups with distinctive designs for each borough. Businesses interested in participating in the $26 deal must register by Wednesday July 1st, and those interested in offering the World Cup cups can sign up by Thursday June 11th. Game on!
Stefano Boeri to convert Roman train station
The Depositi delle Vittorie regeneration project will include a multipurpose center, a new public plaza, and sprawling rooftop garden; rendering by Stefano Boeri Architetti
The Rome City Council has approved a regeneration plan for the Depositi delle Vittorie in the Eternal City’s Piazza Bainsizza. Stefano Boeri Architetti will spearhead the transformation of the abandoned transportation hub into a multifunctional complex housing cultural, educational, commercial, coworking, and leisure infrastructure. According to ArchDaily, new public spaces and landscaped areas will also be integrated, including an open courtyard at grade, a rooftop garden, and outdoor exhibition spaces. The project will further enhance the rich biodiversity of the site while contributing to shading, cooling, and absorbing CO2 and particulate matter.
Imagining monuments as power generators
A solar electric sculpture topped with a large photovoltaic panel, conceptualized by artist and designer Michael Jantzen; rendering by Michael Jantzen
As climate infrastructure gets rolled back (why? WHY?!), it’s hard not to wonder how much more we could still be doing to decarbonize our cities. One solution considers public monuments and artwork as a means of generating electricity through wind or sun, collecting rainwater, or evening reallocating power to the local grid. Santa Fe artist Michael Jantzen, recently profiled for Yanko Design, touts a portfolio of proposed public sculptures and pavilions ready to meet this demand. Embracing the inherent sculptural potential of sustainability tools like solar panels or wind turbines, each design is also conceived with its specific climate and topography in mind. Take a stroll through this artist’s work and remind yourself—designers and owners, I’m looking at you—just how possible it is to integrate carbon offsets into the built environment.
Don’t miss the NEWH – HD Owners Roundtable in New York
Want to connect with some of the industry’s most esteemed and informed hospitality owners? Tickets are on sale now for NEWH and Hospitality Design’s Owners Roundtable on Tuesday June 2nd at Pier 59 in New York. Owners from Highgate, Marriott, Lark Hotels, Samar Hospitality, and more will offer insights and expertise, spanning 22 roundtables as well as up to 12 product display tables. Arrivals and refreshments begin at 2:00 PM, followed by a 90-minute program kicking off at 3:00 PM with a reception to follow. Purchase your tickets here. See you there!