Winner:
Excellence Awards for Interior, Interior
Decorating, Natural Beauty and
Craftsmanship and Achievement Award for
Exterior
2005 Annual Staten Island Chamber of
Commerce Building Awards
In 2001, the owners of the Marina Cafe
embarked on a two phase renovation of
the restaurant in anticipation of the
celebration of the 25th anniversary of
the establishment.
Phase 1 was the renovation of the bar
area and Phase 2 was the reconstruction
of the main dining room. Architect
David L. Businelli, AIA of Studio 16 Architecture was commissioned
by the owners to design a new dining
room that took full advantage of the
spectacular view of Great Kills Harbor
and natural light. The architects
designed a double curved roof profile to
echo the waves in the harbor and to let
in north light through clerestory
windows. These windows also
function as natural ventilation sources.
The interior, designed in collaboration
with Alexandra Fernandez of DNA Design
Group utilizes mahogany to reference
yacht interiors, and tensile fabric
sails that reference the adjacent marina
and add continuity of concept with the
bar. The colors of blue and silver
highlight the space and complete the
references to the sea. Sunlight is
used as a material; its quality changes
with the time of day and the weather,
giving the dining room many different
moods. Exterior materials are
white aluminum composite panels and
silver anodized aluminum.