Bundle of Shimmering Tubes Selected as Winner of NYC’s Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition

The winner of the fourth annual Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition was announced this week by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) and Van Alan Institute. The temporary installation, Flatiron Reflection — by Brooklyn-based architectural firm, Future Expansion — features a “bundle of shimmering tubes” that come together to create a column at the public plaza.

In addition to a panoramic central space that opens out into the plaza, the installation’s fluted perimeter creates niches that can be occupied. Its interior form also isolates images of the Flatiron Building and other notable fixtures of New York City’s iconic skyline.

Rendering of Flatiron Reflections by Future Expansion. Image courtesy of Flatiron Partnership

“The installation is designed for three scales of experience: the deeply creased exterior makes spaces for individuals; the interior room offers an intimate panorama for small groups; and the north-facing wedge presents a platform toward the plaza. We hope that the installation opens new possibilities for interaction and experiences while reinforcing the pure public essence of the site,” said Deirdre and Nicholas McDermott, principals of Future Expansion.

Rendering of Flatiron Reflections by Future Expansion. Image courtesy of Flatiron Partnership

Flatiron Reflection was selected as the winner of the closed-call design competition hosted by The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership and Van Alen Institute, which invited ten design and architecture firms to submit proposals. Slated to be unveiled in the North Public Plaza (at Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street) on Nov. 20th, the installation was specifically designed to be experienced both from a distance and close-up: light and shadows dance around the tubes, while soft, hazy reflections display on the folds and sharpen as viewers approach.

Flatiron Reflections will be installed for the annual ’23 Days of Flatiron Cheer’ in December of this year

Flatiron Reflection will remain on view on the North Flatiron Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, through the holidays as part of the Partnership’s “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” programming. The installation is permitted through NYC DOT Art and is open to the public daily, weather permitting, through January 1, 2018.

Next, check out 10 of NYC’s Most Memorable Public Art Installations to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of “Art in the Parks.”