THE KITCHEN - PROPOSED
The Kitchen is a nonprofit, interdisciplinary arts performance space, theater, and gallery located in an old ice factory adjacent to the High Line in Chelsea. During Hurricane Sandy, four feet of water flooded its lobby and theater. Matthew Baird approached the task of redesigning the damaged space as an opportunity both to resolve pre-existing circulation issues and to implement new sustainable design strategies appropriate to the post-Sandy urban setting. A restrained material palette and economical construction techniques reflect the industrial nature of the site. The new lobby is comprised of a flood-resistant finish system cladded with a combination of solid and perforated raw steel panels — some operable — that are hard wearing, require minimal maintenance, and patina over time.
