Situ Brooklyn Museum Interior Design Project and its Challenges
The Situ Brooklyn Museum’s initiative included an app for visitors to ask questions in real time by communicating with a central help desk. The app transmitted a visitor’s location within the exhibit, giving operators an idea of what information the visitor may need before they asked.
The innovative technology was helpful but quickly drained the guests’ devices of power, making it difficult for them to interact with the new museum app. With minimal seating near outlets, guest sat on the lobby floor to access limited power sources along outer walls.
The lobby interior design also posed problems for the museum. The stationary help desk in the middle of the space caused circulation issues and confusion for guests during museum hours. The permanent, immobile furniture impeded flow during high-volume events including fundraisers, parties and film shoots.
The goal was to design a lobby space that could be reconfigured for different events and provide ample opportunities to charge mobile devices. And they found answers in HIMACS solid surface : Aleskey Lukyanov-Cherny, a partner at Situ studios said, “It’s hard to find more examples of these collections in other places with the same quality and affordability”.
Situ Brooklyn Museum bench reborn with HIMACS solid surface material
SITU Studio designed a concept that brought a customizable experience through reconfigurable benches. The furniture was made with HIMACS solid surface material and included a built-in power supply. The adjustable, nesting benches were made in curved segments with wheels, allowing for easy repositioning during events. Each bench included power outlets with enough access for almost every seated guest.
Besides mobility and power, the benches made by HIMACS solid surface met the need for durable and clean environment. “There are so many people coming through the lobby each day,” said Aleksey Lukyanov-Cherny, partner at SITU Studios. “The components needed to hold up to serious traffic, and they needed to be easily cleaned.”
SITU Studios designed the bench concept with HIMACS solid surface from the Eden Plus Collection for its resilience and sanitary properties. The material offers strength similar to solid stone. Should scratches or scuff marks occur, the solid material can easily be resurfaced. The seamless, nonporous surface of the HIMACS product also prevents harmful bacteria and mold from building up in crevices, making it an ideal material for a high-traffic, public area.
Bright Situ Brooklyn Museum lobby space designed with HIMACS solid surface
The gray shade of HIMACS solid surface pattern is architectural and clean, perfect for the museum’s bright lobby space. It is also the ideal color for molding. “To create the benches, we had to heat up and shape the material using molds,” Lukyanov-Cherny said.
“Molding solid surface material causes it to stretch, which can lead to discoloration. When I think of LX Hausys, I think of great color palettes. Eden Plus colors were exactly the shade we wanted, and discoloration wasn’t an issue.” The benches feature a three-dimensional tufted form, making them visually appealing.
“We wanted to give the interior material a different scale of texture,” Lukyanov-Cherny said. “You typically see a more gradual form in solid surfaces. We hadn’t seen a tufted pattern like this in other products. At SITU Studio, we’re trying to push the limits of what can be done with solid surfaces.” The sculptural design of the benches extended the art from the exhibits into the functional pieces of the museum.
For the SITU Studio team, quality came at the right price. The HIMACS solid surface collection is less expensive than many solid surface materials but offers a high level of quality, making it a great value for users. “I haven’t seen this range of colors from other distributors for the same price,” Lukyanov-Cherny said. “It’s hard to find more examples of these collections in other places with the same quality and affordability.”
Why HIMACS is the Top Priority Choice for Public Space Interior Design Projects
HIMACS is the New Generation of solid surface. It is composed of 70% natural stone powder derived from bauxite, 25% high quality acrylic resin and 5% natural pigments. Designed and produced by LX Hausys, it is a product of highest quality, and is inert and ecological.
Its versatility allows users to mold and transform their kitchen design ideas into reality with possibilities far beyond those offered by materials traditionally used in the world of architecture and design.
HIMACS solid surface products offer a range of benefits:
QUALITY
Durable and reliable, HIMACS solid surface promises to deliver the best result. From simple countertops to complex, thermoformed design concepts, HIMACS is the ultimate design material for any project.
STRENGTH
Stronger surface with durability similar to that of natural stone – HIMACS stands up to everyday “wear and tear”. Should you accidentally inflict a deep scratch or surface impression, a trained professional can easily resurface your HIMACS thanks to its sealant-free consistency.
HYGIENIC
Not only do objects made from this solid surface material appear to be works of art cast from a single mold, the material’s seamless manipulation and non-porous nature create extremely hygienic, easy-to-clean surface that is ideally suited for use in retail, hospitality and healthcare.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Built to last a lifetime, HIMACS endures its everyday wear and tear. With proper care and maintenance, HIMACS will remain beautiful and durable for many years.
THERMOFORMABLE
HIMACS can be easily fabricated; it can be heated and shaped, enabling the product to meet the most challenges of 3-D designs. With HIMACS, you can achieve what once could only be dreamed; let imagination lead the way into the new generation of inspiration.
SUSTAINABILTY
Sustainable LX Hausys is steadfast in its pledge to not only limit the impact we have on the environment, but also to better it through eco-conscious product design, energy and water efficiencies, and well-planned by-product management.
Such properties of HIMACS has been well-recognized by many architects and designers such as Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield, Ron Arad, Marc Newson, Elke Delugan Meissl and Joaquín Torres. Some of the most notable projects made out of HIMACS include the Prado Museum and the Hotel Puerta América in Spain, Leonardo Glass Cube and the Porsche Museum in Germany and the Zara flagship store in the Westfield Shopping Complex in London, UK.
International certifications of HIMACS proves its outstanding quality
HIMACS is synonymous with the very best quality thanks to a production process that it is one of the world’s most innovative, sourcing the finest materials that result in a harder, flatter more resistant product.
Many international certifications backup the outstanding quality of HIMACS concerning environment, hygiene, fire resistance and processes as ISO 9001 and 14001, Greenguard, NSF, LGA and IMO MED (Module B and D), among others.
Check out LX Hausys HIMACS solid surface collection and get inspirations for your public space remodeling project.