It is our passion to design compelling and evocative spaces and places that stir the imagination and stand as precedents of design excellence.
In our approach, we blend innovation, sustainability strategies, ecology and biology, economics, architectural detailing, engineering, and identity of place - all in one discourse.
We work across the globe, conceptualizing and realizing public and private projects of all sizes. These include small intimate gardens, residential developments, private estates, urban master plans, public realms, parks, streetscapes, waterfronts, commercial developments, institutional campuses, the outdoor spaces of museums and recreational facilities, as well as other civic and cultural destinations.
Our attitude is collaborative, positive and optimistic, and we truly work across disciplinary boundaries while embracing unrestrained creativity.
For us, every project deserves a holistic approach in order to achieve the best possible outcome - socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally. We also consider what our design will mean for the adjacent context, as often our projects are found within historic settings. What impact will our design have on the identity of the place as a whole? What is the experience? And most important, how will our design work for people?
As dreamers and pragmatists, we are driven to come up with bold ideas that are rooted in functionality, meticulous detailing, and constructibility.
Our objective is to create designs which have embedded immersive and alluring qualities - that are refreshing, comfortable, and welcoming - spaces that are original and have never been seen before, that exude an inherent positive spirit and carry elements of surprise.
Our goal is always to establish an appropriate and unique character, ultimately resulting in a place that is memorable, frequently used, and loved.
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Clients: Young Woo & Associates, RXR Realty, Hudson River Park Trust - Project Partners: Handel Architects, Robert Silman Associates, Philip Habib Associates, Cosentini Associates, McLaren Engineering Group, Diller Scofidio + Renfro - Awards: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation - 2022 Historic Preservation Award - Photography: Barrett Doherty
Pier 57 - New York
Project Info
Located at the epicenter of New York City’s prominent Hudson River Park, adjacent to Manhattan’s popular Meatpacking District, lies the historic Pier 57, an iconic and storied structure that dates from 1952. In 2010, following an initiative to completely overhaul the structure and reimagine its use, !melk was commissioned to design all of the pier’s outdoor spaces. On the ground floor is the esplanade - a continuous waterfront walkway around the pier structure that functions as the main spill-out space for all of the different offerings within the building. Examples of destinations at Pier 57 include Market 57, a market that celebrates New York City’s local, independent food culture, as well as many restaurants.
On the roof of Pier 57, !melk designed New York City’s largest rooftop park, replete with picnic lawns, viewing decks, and a restaurant. The rooftop park is visible from prominent locations in the neighborhood and offers spectacular, panoramic views back to the city as well as across the Hudson River. The rooftop park is open to the public year-round. It is home to many programmed activities and cultural events, such as the acclaimed Tribeca Film Festival.
Transformed from its original maritime industrial use through an award-winning historic restoration, Pier 57 is undoubtedly one of New York City’s most memorable waterfront experiences. Attractive to tourists and visitors, it is also embraced by the local community as a much-needed green neighborhood space.
Project Info
Located at the epicenter of New York City’s prominent Hudson River Park, adjacent to Manhattan’s popular Meatpacking District, lies the historic Pier 57, an iconic and storied structure that dates from 1952. In 2010, following an initiative to completely overhaul the structure and reimagine its use, !melk was commissioned to design all of the pier’s outdoor spaces. On the ground floor is the esplanade - a continuous waterfront walkway around the pier structure that functions as the main spill-out space for all of the different offerings within the building. Examples of destinations at Pier 57 include Market 57, a market that celebrates New York City’s local, independent food culture, as well as many restaurants.
On the roof of Pier 57, !melk designed New York City’s largest rooftop park, replete with picnic lawns, viewing decks, and a restaurant. The rooftop park is visible from prominent locations in the neighborhood and offers spectacular, panoramic views back to the city as well as across the Hudson River. The rooftop park is open to the public year-round. It is home to many programmed activities and cultural events, such as the acclaimed Tribeca Film Festival.
Transformed from its original maritime industrial use through an award-winning historic restoration, Pier 57 is undoubtedly one of New York City’s most memorable waterfront experiences. Attractive to tourists and visitors, it is also embraced by the local community as a much-needed green neighborhood space.