ASSET is a commercial renovation project in which a retail space was converted into a restaurant within a multi-use building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This modern space was given an industrial feel by the addition of exposed steel elements. CRAFT supported the design of this space with a modified mezzanine structure and a signature staircase.
The primary structural element within the restaurant fit-out is a U-shaped signature staircase that connects the main level to the mezzanine level. The stairs feature an exposed bent steel plate that forms the treads and risers and spans to an exposed curved steel substructure that cantilevers out from the framing of the mezzanine. The U-shaped guardrails on the interior of the staircase are hung from the dripping flanges of the ceiling framing above to avoid loading the cantilevered ends of the stair structure. The resulting space becomes a tribute to exposed steel structure brought to life with clever lighting.
At the entry, the entire facade is a custom storefront created by structural steel framing and infill glazing. The choice of materials used in the storefront sets the scene for the palette of materials within. Bates Masi chose a very simple array of materials to construct a very dynamic interior space. Coordination between the architect, the steel fabricator, contractor and CRAFT was essential throughout the process of fabrication and construction to achieve the resulting interior.
Simple moves with structural elements and materials create an incredibly vibrant result. In this case, the structural steel beams turned on their side are supported from the floor above by a series of hangers. The up turned flanges hide strips of lighting that illuminate barrel vaults of curved steel mesh set within ribbed frames. The down turned flanges become places to support individual elements within the space below.
