Just last week, we had the opportunity to visit 21c in Durham, NC. It is an art gallery, with work displayed in the restaurant as well, along with a hotel. The gallery space had several different types of media, including a virtual reality booth, a flip book that continually rotates the pages, and a video booth with a large projection screen. Another interesting piece, was an American flag sculpture created by green army men, that were then painted.
The point of our visit was to take note of the different media used to create art, while at the same time visualizing different methods of display for the multiple media that exist in the art world today. All of this is to push our thinking in the design and layout of our art gallery for the Bienenstock competition. In addition to the works throughout the gallery, the Counting House restaurant also contains different works, which really brings some visual interest and conversation starters to the dining area.
My favorite feature in the Counting House was the light installation in a cage above the kitchen prep area. Truly a great example of both form and function. It serves a purpose for the kitchen area, but also provides an interesting view of light. Another feature I appreciated in the Counting House bar area was the mirror TVs located in the cabinet fronts of shelving. While a TV is not necessarily a lovely design element, it does serve a purpose and most patrons likely expect there to be one in a bar. So, given that it meets a need for patrons, I appreciate the designed element of using the mirror to hide the TV when not in use.
Along a similar line was, likely the highlight of our trip…the smartglass bathrooms. You walk down the hall on the mezzanine level and find individual stalls with toilet & sink visible through glass doors and windows. It is slightly unnerving at first, however once you step into a stall, close the door and then lock it, the smartglass changes from clear to opaque so you have your privacy! Never have I been so intrigued by a restroom before!
Joy Rich Design 