THE PROJECT / THE LONGHOUSE
Breaking bread
The key to a good temporary structure is to build it so that it can be made permanent. That’s the approach that the New York office of Australian architecture firm BVN and co-working-space provider Neuehouse have taken when constructing an outdoor dining area in Manhattan’s Flatiron District.
The Longhouse takes its structural cues from the beaux arts curves of the adjacent Armory building and is made from plywood sheets used to barricade shops during protests earlier this year. The long structure is set beneath a clear PVC canopy illuminated by delicate top lights and is warmed by lanterns for year-round use. The seating can be reconfigured for dining, working, meetings and other outdoor activities.
“The intention is to gather our community back together,” says Neuehouse CEO Josh Wyatt. He wants this space to be used by New Yorkers to socialise and to rebuild relationships after a tumultuous year. And thanks to the durability of the structure, “the Longhouse will be activated with events, programming and gatherings for months to come – and beyond”.
