Lighting Design: L'Observatoire International / Herve Descottes,
Jason Neches Senior Lighting Designer
Landscape Architect: OLIN
Water Features: Fluidity Design Consultants
Size: 70,706 sqf plaza with 1,021 ft length façade along 5th Avenue
Completed: 2014
The Metropolitan Museum's plaza and iconic front steps along 5th Avenue are an important public space in New York City. Before the recent renovation, the 1970's-era fountains had fallen into disrepair and the nighttime plaza was an unwelcoming, flood-lit, largely empty expanse.
With the new renovation, nighttime lighting of the plaza, water features, and especially the facade create a welcoming atmosphere befitting this matriarch of New York cultural life.
The landmarked facade required special attention to detailing, with careful shielding of all light sources and strategic mounting attachments.
Light fixtures are located close to the facade to accentuate signature beaux-arts carvings, textures, and details.
Photo Credits: Alexis Nollet, © OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
Awards: IESNY Lumen Award of Merit, 2015