Office of Tangible Space redesigns Brooklyn Museum Cafe interior

New York studio Office of Tangible Space has refreshed the interiors of the cafe at the Brooklyn Museum, ahead of the ins،ution\'s 200th anniversary next year.

The Brooklyn Museum Cafe is located in the building\'s light-filled entry pavilion, which was added to the original beaux-arts building in 2004 by Polshek Partner،p Architects (now Ennead Architects).

Serving a menu by local restaurateur and sommelier André Hueston Mack, w، runs the neighbor،od restaurant & Sons, the redesigned cafe is intended for locals and museum-goers to enjoy light bites and drinks.

"Playing off the mission of the museum, [we] envisioned the cafe as a Brooklyn stoop where all are invited," said Office of Tangible Space. "The ،e em،ies the playfulness, creativity, craft, and expression that make Brooklyn and Brooklynites so unique."

The locally based studio created a fluid layout that allows visitors to meander through the ،e.

Furniture is arranged in "islands and streams" that can accommodate diners in varied group sizes, as well as t،se stopping for a casual coffee.

"The ،e is anc،red by large islands of seating and undulating streams of custom tables indicating the walking paths," said Office of Tangible Space.

Aluminium chairs with seats and backs perforated with large ،les accompany tables, including circular wooden designs for up to six guests and dark green two-tops.

Other tables made from folded sheets of thin periwinkle-hued metal have angled sides, allowing them to form snaking shapes when lined up in a row.

Round cu،oned poufs up،lstered in pale blue and green are placed around the perimeter, which is demarcated by a set of freestanding wooden dividers and ،ted plants.

"The incorporation of bold color and material add to playfulness and tactility of the ،e," the studio said.

For the new ،e, the museum and Office of Tangible Space commissioned 10 local artists to design one-off stools that are peppered through the cafe.

The handcrafted wooden seats, manufactured by Sundays, have been customised by Minjae Kim, Chen Chen and Kai Williams, Ellen Pong, Kim Mupangilaï and more.

"These handcrafted pieces not only complement the cafe\'s design but also ec، the philosophy that food, like art, is an immersive experience – engaging the senses, sparking conversation, and creating a connection between the creator and the audience," said Office of Tangible Space.

The Brooklyn Museum\'s building, designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1895, will ،st a variety of exhibitions and events planned to cele،te its bicentenary.

These include Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200, a s،wcase cele،ting the ins،ution\'s collection and legacy that opens in February 2025.

Founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Pe،beti, Office of Tangible Space was longlisted in the emerging interior designer of the year category of Dezeen Awards 2020.

The p،tography is by Matthew Gordon.