DESIGN ARCHITECT: STUDIOS Architecture

ROLE: Lead Designer

GRAPHIC DESIGN: GHD Partners

CLIENT: RFR

SERVICES: Interior

LOCATION: New York, NY

SIZE: 24,000 sq ft

STATUS: Completed 2022

AWARDS:

• CoreNet NYC Design Excellence Award 2023 — Project of the Year, Under 25,000 sq ft

• NYC X Design Award 2023 — Commercial Lobby/Amenity Space

Prior to the pandemic, Wells Fargo gave up 400,000 square feet of office space at the iconic Seagrams Building. With half of the Park Avenue office tower vacant, the opportunity arose to re-evaluate the building’s square footage, leading the team to envision a total transformation of the building’s underutilized underground parking into a state-of-the-art amenity space that would attract workers—at all levels and roles—back into the office and incentivize new tenant leases with spaces that couldn’t be accommodated in the tower floors or young companies taking on a smaller lease. The Playground, a 24,000-square-foot, fully subterranean, multi-functional amenities program, is the solution to RFR’s vision for this new space.

Inspired by the energy of the streets of New York City, the project pulls that vibrancy into the underground space throughout the design. Just like the streets above, there’s order in the chaos, exemplified by smart infrastructure that supports various programs and space typologies that seamlessly work together despite their different uses. As the name suggests, the space wanted to feel whimsical and fun. The design aims to play with perception, utilizing graphic and color-blocking techniques; two-dimensional graphics and bright colors are strategically used to guide users deeper into the space. As the experience unfolds, there are delightful moments where the 2D graphics transform into three-dimensional volumes. This layering and interlocking of programs revolve around the iconic blue flex court, creating an engaging and visually captivating experience.

The completed project reflects the client’s vision for creating a dynamic and flexible amenity space that sets itself apart from neighboring and competing properties with a mix of programming supporting both work and play. Ultimately, STUDIOS Architecture’s design for The Playground paralleled the priorities of its corporate tenants: to attract and retain the most qualified and talented employees. Today, the Seagrams Building has successfully leased nearly all floors as a result of The Playground.