financial advisor, Park Hill Wealth Management, UBS
Emanuela Frattini Magnusson founding principal, EFM Group
Alan Siegel partner, Levy Sonet & Siegel, LLP
Amaechi Uzoigwe Co-Founding CEO, Algorythmic Arts
Kimberly Weinrick strategic communication, Rock The Street, Wall Street
Pascale Sablan CEO, Adjaye Associates NY
Michael Cohen
Managing Director, Global Head, Marketing and Communication, Tradeweb
Sonia Park
Advisor to the NYCxDESIGN Board VP, NYC Economic Development Corporation
NYCxDESIGN Steering Committee NYCxDESIGN Board of Directors
BUSINESS DISTRICTS
Alliance for Downtown NY
Atlantic Avenue BID
Downtown Brooklyn BID
Dumbo BID
Flatiron/ Nomad BID
Harlem CLX
Madison Avenue BID
Meatpacking BID
Nomad Design District
Soho Design District
The Seaport
Times Square Alliance
Union Square Partnership
DESIGN SCHOOLS
Cornell Tech
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York School of Interior Design
Parsons School of Design
Pratt Institute
School of Visual Arts
The Cooper Union
MUSEUMS
Museum of Art and Design
Museum of Modern Art
Smithsonian National Design Museum, Cooper Hewitt
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Institute of Architects NY
American Institute of Graphic Artists
American Society of Interior Designers NY
American Society of Landscape Architects NY
Illuminating Engineering Society NYC
Industrial Designers Society of America
International Association of Lighting Designers
International Interior Design Association NY
The One Club
NYC AGENCIES
Design Trust for Public Space
NYC Department of Design and Construction
NYC Department of Transportation
NYC Economic Development Corp.
NYC Tourism + Conventions
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Architects & Designers Building
Bloomberg Connects
Decoration & Design Building
Female Design Council
ICFF / Wanted Design
Kouros Maghsoudi Design
New York Design Center
Novita Communications
Sandow Design Group
Six Cents
TC Laughlin PR Group
D Design is for Everyone
A letter from Ilene Shaw,
Executive Director
Today, I feel just as I did when I first entered this industry—thrilled, inspired, and, honestly, dazzled.
As a teen, a summer admin job at the nation’s then-largest architectural firm turned my world to color. It was my first experience with the heart and soul of a creative industry—one anchored in problem solving, creating beauty, and serving humanity by designing environments and tools that support expression, comfort, and wellness. I met artists, artisans, craftspeople, and tradespeople, who brought this purpose to life. And I learned that design is for everyone. That’s when I chose design for myself. Every step of the way—from a design education, through a short career in design practice, to a longer path in design advocacy—has only strengthened my belief in this noble profession, reinforcing my excitement for good design and the power of our united international design community.
The NYCxDESIGN Festival spotlights the talent, products, and projects across all design disciplines through exhibits, trade shows, keynote talks, tours, and gatherings—all set against the backdrop of our city’s vibrant design districts and cultural institutions. It’s a unique moment to connect, share, and learn on a grand creative scale.
As a native New Yorker, my heart is devoted to this city and the design industry. I hope this Festival inspires your passions and energizes you—in a memorable New York way!
Welcome to the 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival and community. Design is for you.
About NYCxDESIGN
NYCxDESIGN is a communitydriven, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a board of directors, guided by a steering committee of industry and city collaborators, and the producer of the annual citywide celebration of design: the NYCxDESIGN Festival.
Recognized internationally, the NYCxDESIGN Festival is as unique as the city itself. Its scale alone sets it apart, powered by the sheer number of creatives who call New York home—the largest creative population per capita in the world, and a vibrant melting pot of disciplines and cultures. The energy born of such diversity is the
lifeblood of NYC’s rich, international design scene.
Fueled by industry enthusiasm and an ambitious creative class —hardworking, driven, and remarkably unified—this city breeds collaboration and pride. This is New York City, and our design communities mirror its relentless spirit of productivity and innovation.
Our goal is to spotlight talent, open doors for diverse voices, and create moments of true connection. Above all, we are a community bound by purpose and a shared aspiration to help build a better world. This is NYCxDESIGN.
Let’s Party
Opening Night at the Refinery
For a festival that celebrates great design in New York, it’s imperative to launch the weeklong event at a chic venue that’s as high-style and aesthetically elevated as the design-savvy set in attendance. That’s why the 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival kicks off with a thoughtfully curated fête at The Refinery at Domino in Brooklyn on May 15. Nestled along the Williamsburg waterfront, the former 19thcentury sugar factory has been masterfully reimagined by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism to deftly bridge the past and present. As guests enjoy light bites and sips from Pinch Food Design, they’ll also experience a dazzling light installation from L’Observatoire International, which is made possible by global lighting brand Signify. The official festival kickoff party takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.
Recognizing Design Excellence
On Monday, May 19, the industry will gather at Midtown’s celebrated PENN 1 skyscraper to honor the recipients of the 10th annual NYCxDESIGN Awards presented by Interior Design The ceremony will highlight diverse voices and creative forces that shape the refined yet ever-evolving design scene in New York City and beyond the five boroughs—the awards have expanded to recognize emerging and established talent in New Jersey and Connecticut as well. This milestone event is more than an awards ceremony; it’s a tribute to the extraordinary
talent that defines the tri-state design community. Doors for the NYCxDESIGN Awards ceremony open at 5:30 p.m., the event starts at 6 p.m., and the presentation of winners will be livestreamed on DESIGNTV by Sandow.
Thats a Wrap: DUMBO NYCxDESIGN Closing Party
Finish the week of the NYCxDESIGN Festival— as well as the final day of events across DUMBO—on Wednesday May 21, at the official closing celebration: the annual DUMBOxDESIGN Party at Superfine. Mingle with leaders from architecture firms, designers, and artists as we celebrate the industry (and the festival). Sponsored by Team DUMBO, Two Trees Management Company, Pensa, Hudson Wilder, and many more DUMBO-based design firms, this dynamic closing party includes a spectacular projection show on the Manhattan Bridge—just steps from the party at the DUMBO Archway Plaza.
6-9 p.m. Superfine, 126 Front Street, Brooklyn
“NYCxDESIGN has grown exponentially in disciplines, expansion of boroughs, and in opportunity for all. … I’m especially thrilled about how inclusive and expansive the offerings are, with shows from designers of color, queer artists, disability focuses, and the intersection of fashion and tech.”
—Lora Appleton, founder of the Female Design Council, New York
“I love how loud and gauche we are—and we don’t care! Milan is all about being refined, chic, understated, safe, and a bit esoteric—boring! New York is loud, proud, a little messy, and in your face. And I love that. Screw being chic.”
—Kouros Maghsoudi, designer, New York
Every year, NYCxDESIGN brings new initiatives and fresh faces with designers arriving in town to showcase their work in often unexpected and engaging spaces.”
—Lee Broom, designer, London
“In New York, chaos and
creativity
dance hand in hand. I can’t help but love every minute of it!”
—Julien Sebban, founder and designer of Uchronia, Paris
“What I love, as time passes, is I find the New York design scene to be more democratic. There are younger people, more enthusiasm, and less of the same names.”
—Luca Nichetto, designer, Venice and Stockholm
“What I appreciate about New York Design Week is its celebration of the intersection between art and craft. It’s an instant snapshot of creativity in the moment—raw, inspiring, and full of artistic energy.
—Laura Gonzalez, designer, Paris
“I love the excitement New York City still brings—the
“It feels less like an annual check-up on the health and well-being of the overall American design scene than a moment to enjoy a bunch of
cool
stuff that’s happening across the city.”
—Sam Grawe creative director at Blu Dot, Minneapolis
cultural mix
the cacophony of creativity and the ability to tap in or tap out of what’s happening.”
—Lora
Appleton founder of the Female Design Council, New York
Meet the 10 talents capturing the city’s creative energy with work that’s experimental, evocative, and impossible to ignore. From fresh forms and innovative assemblage to playful materials and poetic symbolism, these Design Week debuts are set to impress.
New Voices of New York
By Sophie Aliece Hollis
Above: Raja Chair, solid maple wood, Juntos Projects
After cutting his teeth in the jewelry industry, this silversmith and industrial designer turned his attention to tableware in 2020. From shell-shaped oyster picks to dessert spoons sweetened by prong-set pearls, Wagoner seeks “to elevate simple moments of dining by creating objects that bring joy.” This spring, he is launching his first capsule collection—a pair of nautical-themed, yellow bronze cabinet knobs and a coat hook— in collaboration with artistic hardware brand Petra. HOST on Howard, 21 Howard Street
Soft Witness
Interior designer Whitney Krieger launched Soft Witness in 2023 to celebrate “objects as the quiet witnesses to our daily lives.”
Based in New York and Florence, her studio partners with Italian metalworkers, glassblowers, and skilled artisans to develop collectible lighting, furniture, and objects that feel familiar yet distinctively resonant. Krieger’s Tienilo Occasional Table, a suspended cut-glass top within a joinery-free ash wood frame, debuts in “The Family Show” this month. Love House, 179 East Broadway
Tang Thousand
In a shift from large-scale architecture to intimate, conceptual objects, Harvardtrained architect Shawn Tang founded Tang Thousand in 2024. Rooted in narrative and geometry, the studio reinterprets the familiar—most recently through lighting inspired by Chinatown’s iconic awning signage. Tang will debut Pine, a floor lamp that doubles as a bookshelf and pedestal, as part of a group show hosted by HelloHuman. Public Records, 233 Butler Street, Brooklyn
Jack Simonds
This Brooklyn-based British artist and designer has crafted a surrealist design language inspired by natural forms and found materials. Including evocative lighting made from honeycombs and lampshades wrapped in Yucca leaves, Simonds’ work is now on view in two group shows. “Still Growing,” Amelie, Maison d’Art, 85-87 Mercer Street; “Forced Perspective, 13 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn
Joseph Algieri
Playfully straddling the line between high design and pop irreverence, Algieri’s work blends materials like resin, clay, and expandable foam with abject humor and a love of form pushed to its edge. This May he unveils a series of circular resin mirrors dotted with colorful spheres, created in collaboration with ceramicist Danny Kaplan. The limited-edition collection juxtaposes Algieri’s vibrant, sculptural sensibility against Kaplan’s grounded, minimalist world. Danny Kaplan Studio Showroom, 417 Lafayette Street
Mark Malecki
With his namesake design studio, Malecki pushes the potential of industrial materials— particularly metal and glass— to create tactile, thoughtprovoking, contemporary works. His eye-catching Hairy Table creates the illusion of softness from powder-coated steel through the welding of over 9,000 “hairs” to a boxy frame. This month he presents his Pith Portcullis sconce, an exercise in contrast between sharp stainless steel and soft blown glass, as part of the lighting exhibition “Jewel Box.” Allen Street Gallery, 65 Allen Street
Yuxuan Huang
Using improvisational craft, Huang’s designs blend massmanufacturing techniques with found or deconstructed materials. For her latest collection, Lost Stories, Huang transforms thrifted antique pieces into entirely new forms, preserving traces of their past lives. During NYCxDESIGN, she will present work in three group shows. “Lichen Design Week Showcase,” 564 Woodward Avenue, Queens; “Forced Perspective,” 13 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn; “JONALDDUDD,” 601 West 26th Street
This DUMBO-based fabricator crafts sculptural furniture and lighting that are minimalist in form to emphasize materiality and finish. This May he debuts fully customizable pieces that expand on his signature collections with fresh variations, including the 72-inch Extended Surface pendant light in a bespoke red-brown brass patina and the Shake-94 chair—a nod to Shaker forms and artist Donald Judd. “Shelter by Afternoon Light,” 601 West 26th Street
Juntos Projects
The studio of María Daniela Huiza and Abraham Bendheim, Juntos Projects is known for its subtly expressive furniture crafted from solid maple wood. Their debut solo show at Assembly Line, “Every Shadow is a Color” features table collection Cut Curves and a chair that furthers the studio’s explorations of material integrity, bold color, and architectural craft. Juntos Projects will exhibit work in two additional group shows. Assembly Line, 373 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; “Wanted,” Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Avenue; “DESIRE” by Paraphernalia Exhibition, Fredericks & Mae, 6 Allen Street
OLLIN
Brooklyn-based Ollin, founded by Noel Hernandez and Viktoria Barbo, fuses Mexican and German influences into sculptural furniture. Their debut collection, Tlaloc, blends the traditions of Mesoamerican artisans with modernism. The hand-chiseled volcanic stone and steel works will launch this month. “Shelter by Afternoon Light,” 601 West 26th Street
Left to right: Kite Lamp and Pine Lamp in aluminum and vinyl, Tang Thousand Pith portcullis sconce, stainless steel, blown soft glass, electrical components, Mark Malecki
Divot mirror, resin, Joseph Algieri
Tlaloc Table, volcanic stone and metal, Ollin
John Wells Metal
Matthew Gordon Studio
William Jesse Laird
Collective Conversations
NYCxDESIGN Festival’s second annual keynote series offers much more than lip service.
Contour: A Decade of Photography for Coca-Cola® Global Design by Guy Aroch and Anna Palma
Coca-Cola Global Design has partnered with renowned photographers Guy Aroch and Anna Palma to craft visual stories and leave a lasting mark on the brand’s visual legacy. Now, for the first time, Coca-Cola is opening the vault and hosting a retrospective that highlights the brand’s creative partnership with the husband-wife photography duo.
For Aroch and Palma, their long-term partnership with Coca-Cola is “one of profound importance” in their careers. “We hope that our panel discussion gives insight into the creative process from the perspective of the artist and also the commissioning client,” the couple says. While “Contour” will showcase never-before-seen images, the event will also celebrate the 110th anniversary of Coca-Cola’s Contour bottle, which serves both a muse to Aroch and Palma as well as a global symbol of refreshment and creativity.
SPEAKERS
Guy Aroch and Anna Palma, award-winning photographers and directors; Rapha Abreu, vice president, global design, The Coca-Cola Company
MODERATOR
Lisa Smith, ECD, Global at Jones Knowles Ritchie
“Contour: A Decade of Photography for Coca-Cola Global Design” by Guy Aroch and Anna Palma; May 15, 11:30 a.m. (doors at 10:30 a.m.); International Center for Photography, 84 Ludlow Street
AI: Sci-Fi to Society
Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated most (if not, all) aspects of our lives—but what does that mean for the design world? While some might fear the latest technological advances will be the antithesis of art, AI can reshape how we design, communicate, and imagine. “This isn’t just a new toolset—it’s a cultural shift,” explains Sadek Bazaraa, global creative director of brand and design for IBM. “And it’s critical that designers have a seat at the table to shape what comes next.”
For this conversation, which was developed in partnership with IBM, speakers from IBM Blue Studio and IBM iX will explore how AI can scale storytelling, generate brand imagery, and power immersive
experiences. The 90-minute panel will be followed by a 60-minute reception to further the conversation.
SPEAKERS
From IBM Blue Studio: Sadek Bazaraa, global creative director; Charlie Flexon, global creative and practice director of environments; Cory Calhoun, executive producer; and Colleen Yates, associate creative director; from FIELD.IO: Xander Marritt, executive creative director; Marcus Wendt, founder and chief creative officer; Andrew Demas, partner, IBM iX Strategy & Transformation Service Line AI: Sci-Fi to Society; May 16, 2-5 p.m.; IBM Headquarters, 1 Madison Avenue
By Design: The Healthy Way of Life
A well-lived life doesn’t happen by accident—it’s designed. From how we move, to what we eat, to the spaces we escape to, wellness is shaped by the brands, places, and experiences we choose.
“Our team’s work focuses on thoughtful design,” says Nicholas Berglund, CCO of Life Time, who is transforming the North American fitness company into a luxury lifestyle brand. “Not just visual but spatial, tonal, and strategic can create experience and inspire desire.”
Join Berglund as he leads a panel about the intersection among wellness, hospitality, and design—and how the three come together to create a holistic (and whole) life. “Design isn’t just about how
something looks; it’s how it works, feels, builds loyalty, and connects to every aspect of a consumer’s life,” Berglund adds. “Consistency in that design is the most valuable tool a brand has to drive both perception and performance.”
SPEAKERS
Nicholas Berglund, chief creative officer, Life Time; Nancie Min, design director, Clodagh Design; Michael Newcombe, vice president of wellness (global), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
MODERATOR
Patrick Duffy, founder, Global Fashion Exchange
By Design: The Healthy Way of Life, May 20, at 7:00 p.m.; Soho House, Meatpacking
NYCxDESIGN presents Design Pavilion by Lexus
This year the public exhibition Design Pavilion joins the Festival with “Lexus Ambiance,” an immersive, interactive experience in partnership with the luxury automotive brand, running May 10–19. This installation merges Lexus’ cutting-edge design with dynamic sensory elements highlighted by the spectral visual style of artist Nick Thomm.
Offering a glimpse into the future of design and interactivity, “Lexus Ambiance” will allow visitors to create individualized environments using light as their medium and their presence in the space as their muse—the energy they bring into the space will influence this immersive environment.
“Design is a key component in propelling the [Lexus] brand forward, and events such as the 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival allow us to interact directly with the design community as a whole and share what a future for Lexus could look like,” says Gabrielle Diaz, manager, Lexus Events.
With Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens hosting this exhibition, Stephanie Fink, senior vice president of marketing, partnership, and events, says, “Art and architecture are a cornerstone of Hudson Yards, and we are thrilled to host the 2025 Design Pavilion, welcoming its vibrant multidisciplinary community to the Public Square and Gardens.”
Fink adds, “Our continued partnership with NYCxDESIGN underscores our commitment to advancing the local arts and design industry and infusing great cultural moments throughout our neighborhood.”
Design Pavilion by Lexus, May 10-19, 10 a.m–8 p.m. daily; Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens, north of Vessel, at 20 Hudson Yards
Nabe Faves
Mark your calendars for not-to-miss Districts around the city.
Madison Avenue
Join AIANY and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) to explore the history behind the landmark buildings and their impact on the area’s fashion retail. Architecture by McKim, Mead & White; Carrère & Hastings; and Ernest Flagg; as well as Rosario Candela; Emery Roth; and others will be included along with an examination of how landmark designation has contributed to the preservation of the district’s distinctcharacter. This tour is a ticketed event. May 16, 5 p.m.; Madison Avenue BID offices, 29 East 61st Street, Third Floor
Harlem
“A Fresh Day in Harlem” features several moderated discussions with designers in conversation with local historians. Highlights include a talk by Pascale Sablan, CEO at Adjaye Associates New York; a panel with Michael Ford, founder of BrandNu
Design Studio and architect of the Hip Hop Museum; along with a discussion by Arturo O’Farrill, artistic director and founder of The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the architects of 20,000-square-foot Casa Belongó,
Lower East Side
East Village gallery Common Things presents “The Shape of Care,” a thoughtfully composed collaboration emphasizing the intersection of inclusive design, artisanal craft, and the politics of care. Curated by designer Komal Kehar in collaboration with the Adaptive Design
SoHo
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of the SoHo design scene at the third annual Mercer Street Block Party, where the streets come alive with creativity, conversation, and curated experiences. Pop into showrooms and studios including Amelie du Chalard,
BDDW, Calico + Stellar Works, Henrybuilt, Kasthall, Nordic Knots, Orior + Blue Green Works, Petra + Sight Unseen, Roll & Hill, and Uprise Art. Mercer Street Block Party, May 16, 6–9:00 p.m.; various locations
Keep the momentum going during SoHo Design Day, a neighborhood-wide open-house that invites visitors to explore participating showrooms at their own pace. SoHo Design Day, May 17; participating showrooms
Association (ADA), the custom aids on view are intended for individuals who are challenged by diverse disabilities and fabricated by the ADA in their Garment District workshop. Common Things, May 15, 6–8 p.m.; 76 East 7th Street
Two Bridges
Last year’s LES energy has shifted toward new streets bordering Chinatown. Multiple showrooms opening in the district nicknamed Two Bridges include Love House, debuting a new space and featuring “The Family Show,” a group exhibition of 60 artisan makers. Nearby, Astraeus Clarke Parlor— launched by design duo Jacob and Chelsie Starley—has opened a new Manhattan showroom, as has Vitra. May 15–20; Love House, 179 East Broadway; Astraeus Clarke Parlor, 114 Bowery; Vitra, 46 Bowery
a cultural hub and music center that includes a performance space, jazz club, café, classrooms, and meeting rooms.
“A Fresh Day in Harlem,” May 20, 10:30 am.; Renaissance Harlem Hotel, 223 West 125th Street
Chelsea
Chelsea’s top design galleries—Dobrinka Salzman, Friedman Benda, Bossa Furniture, Les Ateliers Courbet, ETĒLINE, Artemest, and Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier—are collectively opening their doors for an inspired evening of design discovery. Wander through
the neighborhood and take in the latest in contemporary design. May 15, 5–8 p.m.; various locations
The Brownstone Boys will debut the “Gilded Collection” of rugs at the NuStory showroom. May 15-21; 137 West 25th Street
Atlantic Avenue
Start your retail stroll in historic Brooklyn Heights, weaving through the charming streets of Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill, arriving in dynamic Downtown Brooklyn during the second annual Atlantic Avenue Day of Design. Independently owned and Brooklyn-based shops are highlighting designers of jewelry, furniture, tableware, apparel, lighting, wallpaper, and ceramics. Atlantic Avenue Day of Design, May 17, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Atlantic Avenue. Check @atlanticavebk for updates.
The NYCxDESIGN
Festival
Upper East Side
5) Disability Meets Design: Hack Your Home with Laura Mauldin
7) Origins–The Heritage of Italian Design May 19, Consulate General
8) Wonders From the Paris Flea Market
May 19–May 22, 10am–3pm Société Design 875 Park Avenue, 8A
5) Micro and Macro: A Conversation on Interior Design and Architecture May 19, 6–8pm Cooper Hewitt 2 East 91st Street
9) 2025 Exhibition Openings: BFA Thesis Projects, MPS Studio Projects May 19, 6–8pm NYSID Gallery 170 East 70th Street
10) True Residential Open House Happy Hour May 20, 4–7pm True Residential 150 East 58th Street 6th Floor
11) Building Community: Updates on the Upper East Side May 20, 6–8pm 220 East 72nd Street
Upper West Side
Fashion Institute of Technology 300 7th Avenue
3) Open Gallery May 15–19, 10am–6pm Apparatus 124 West 30th Street 4th Floor
4) Open Showroom: The Brownstone Boys’ Gilded Collection for NuStory May 15–21, 10am–5pm NuStory Showroom 137 West 25th St. 12th Fl.
5) Jan Kath–CYPRINUS 2025 May 15–21, 10am–6pm Jan Kath Carpets 514 West 25th Street
6) Elementi: Open Studio May 15–21, 10am–6pm Elementi Showroom
508 West 26th Street Studio 7B
7) Here Today: School of Visual Arts– MFA ixD, POD, DSI showcase May 15–16, 1–7pm School of Visual Art 136 West 21st Street
8) Chelsea Design Night May 15, 5pm–8pm 555 West 25th Street (Check website for participating Chelsea galleries)
9) G&A Open House May 16, 5–8pm The Lab 141 West 28th St. 7th Fl.
10) Pratt Shows: InfoShow 25 May 16, 5–9:30pm Pratt Manhattan Building 144 West 14th Street
11) Shelter by Afternoon Light May 17–19, 11am–6pm Starrett–Lehigh Building 601 West 26th Street
11) Trans x Design: Is Good Design Trans? May 17, 1–2pm Starrett–Lehigh building 601 West 26th Street
16) Open Showroom: Nickey Kehoe x House of Hackney Capsule Collection Debut May 15–21, 10am–6pm Nickey Kehoe New York 49 East 10th Street
17) Plain English Design in Conversation with Nicola Harding May 15, 4pm–6pm Plain English Design 51 East 10th Street
18) E.1027–Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea May 16–24, 12am–12am IFC Center, 323 6th Ave. Check IFC website for show times
19) Elements in Flux: A Cross–Cultural Dialogue Between Art, Five Phases and Sustainability May 16, 1pm Peterson House 16 West 10th Street
20) Villa AM Garden Party May 17, 2–5pm Villa AM Bethune Street
12) Designing Simplicity: A Conversation with Michael Anastassiades May 19, 5–8pm Haute Living 227 West 17th Street
13) Meaningful Connections May 19, 5–9pm Muretti
134 West 25th Street Ground Floor
2) Student Showcase Night May 19, 6–8:30pm Fashion Institute of Technology, Katie Murphy Theater 300 7th Avenue
14) Parsons Festival Apr 4–May 19, 12–7pm Parsons School of Design 2 West 13th Street
21) Provocation as Invitation: The UX of Street Culture May 19, 6–7:30pm Bedford Studio West Village 62 Bedford Street
15) Recess // Reset: Conversations for Design Tomorrow May 20, 2–5pm Parsons School of Design Parsons, The New School, Starr Foundation Hall University Center, UL102, 63 Fifth Avenue
22) The Business of Design: Navigating Change May 20, 5:30–8:45pm Squarespace 8 Clarkson Street
23) NYCxDESIGN
Keynote: By Design: The Healthy Way of Life May 20, 7–10pm Soho House Meatpacking 29-35 9th Avenue Vinyl Room 16
15) School of Constructed Environments End of Year Exhibition 2025 May 14–19, 6–9pm Parsons School of Design The New School, Starr Foundation Hall University Center, UL102, 63 Fifth Avenue
1) Design Pavilion by Lexus at Hudson Yards May 10–19, 10am–8pm Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens at 11th Avenue
2) Creative Week May 12–16, 9am–12pm The One Club Gallery 450 West 31st Street 6th Floor
2) Executive AI Creative Summit May 15–16, 8:30am–6pm The One Club Gallery 450 West 31st Street 6th Floor
3) Hudson Yards Art and Architecture Tour May 16, 2pm–3pm Hudson Yards 20 Hudson Yards
4) RE–CRAFT May 18–20, 10am–5pm ICFF 2025 Javits Center 429 11th Avenue
4) ICFF May 18–20, 10am–6pm ICFF 2025 Javits Center 429 11th Avenue
4) Italian Pavilion at ICFF May 18–20, 10am–6pm ICFF 2025 Javits Center 429 11th Avenue
4) ICFF Talks: INTERNI Cre-Action/Big Italy in New York May 18, 12–1pm ICFF 2025 Javits Center NYC–OASIS 429 11th Avenue
4) How Sensory Design Shapes Inclusive Spaces May 18, 3–3:45pm ICFF 2025 Javits Center 429 11th Avenue
3) Hudson Yards AR Walking Tour: Explore NYC’s invisible digital city May 20, 4–5pm Hudson Yards 20 Hudson Yards
5) Carexdesign = Co-created + HandCrafted + Free May 20–21, 12–4pm Adaptive Design Association 313 36th Street
3) Spring Market 2025 May 15, 9am–7pm Decoration & Design Building 979 Third Avenue
4) A&DNOW Open House May 15–21, 9am–5pm The A&D Building 150 East 58th Street
4) Celebration Anniversary Tufty Time 20 May 15–20, 9:30am–5pm B&B Italia A&D Building 150 East 58th Street
5) Trade Exclusive—The Art Of Modern Elegance May 15–16, 10am–5pm Ethan Allen Design Studio 685 Lexington Avenue
6) Launch: Myr & Mylla by Note Design Studio May 15–30, 10am–4pm Kvadrat 475 Park Avenue
7) A Night of Danish Design May 15, 5–8pm Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store New York 145 East 57th Street
4) Rooftop Celebration of Award Winning Landscapes, by Kalamazoo, Urban Bonfire & ASLA New York May 15, 5:30–8:30pm Showroom Rooftop at the A&D Building 150 E 58th St, 11th Floor
8) “Small MUJI” Exhibition
May 16–21, 10am-9pm MUJI Fifth Avenue 575 Fifth Avenue
9) Experience Design Day May 16, 2:30–8:30pm Eight Inc. 80 West 40th Street, Bryant Park Studios, 6th Fl.
10) Spring design showcase May 17, 10:30am Scandinavia House 58 Park Avenue
11) Exploring the Timeless: Vignelli Designed Silver May 17, 6–8:30pm Saint Peter’s Church 619 Lexington Avenue
12) Grand Central Madison–A New Landmark and Cultural Corridor May 18, 1–3pm Grand Central Madison LIRR Terminal Madison Avenue from 42nd to 48th Streets
13) An NYCxDESIGN event with Will Hall presents: Designing Intelligence: Shaping the Future with AI May 20, 2–4pm Brickworks Design Studio 445 5th Avenue
14) Aruliden Open Studio May 20, 4–7pm Aruliden Offices 440 Park Avenue South 16th Floor
15) Chilewich Garden Party & Book Signing May 21, 6–8pm The Chilewich Store 213 East 59th Street
16) The Art of the Unexpected: Beyond the Rendering May 21, 6–8pm CannonDesign
300 East 42nd Street 2nd Floor
Spotlight on Scandinavian Design May 19, 6:30pm–9pm Residence of the Consul
SoHo
1) Povison Presents: The effortless home premiere May 9–19, 10am–11pm The Angelika Film Center 18 West Houston Street
2) POLMAR Gallery–The Art of Craft: Redefining Collectible Design May 13, 6–9pm 25 Greene Street
3) House of Leon Milan Collection x AWÉT NYC
May 15–22, 1pm-6pm AWÉT NYC 57 Bond Street
4) DWR SoHo: GUBI x Pierre Paulin
May 15–23, 10am-6pm DWR SoHo 150 Greene Street
5) DESIGN LEGACY: THE POUL KJÆRHOLM COLLECTION
May 15–21, 10am–6pm Fritz Hansen 22 Wooster Street
6) Artemide Open Studio
May 15–21, 10am–6pm Artemide Soho
46 Greene Street
7) Luke Lamp Co. Open Showroom May 15–21, 11am–6pm Luke Lamp Co. Showroom 227 Mott Street
8) Estonian Design House & Grains de Verre @ The Canvas SoHo May 15–21, 11am–7pm The Canvas SoHo 456 West Broadway
9) BENSEN at modernlink May 15–21, 12–6pm modernlink 35 Bond Street
10) Ochre New Collection Unvieling May 15, 6–8pm Ochre SoHo Showroom 96 Grand Street
11) Light in Motion: Foscarini Presents their Newest Collection of Suspension Lamps During NYCXDESIGN May 15, 6–9pm 20 Greene Street
12) Mind &Hands / Flou 2025 Collection May 15–21, 6–9pm Flou NY
42 Greene Street
13) Synergy in Motion May 16–23, 10am–5pm Studio Zung 41 Grand Street
14) Unveiling Poetica Collection May 16–21, 12–6pm Scavolini SoHo Gallery 429 West Broadway
15) Royère: Birth of the Polar May 16, 2pm–5pm Gallery Royère 315 Spring Street
16) Mercer Street Block Party May 16, 6–9pm Orior Showroom 32 Mercer Street Ground Floor
17) Still Growing May 16–June 9, 6–9pm Amélie du Chalard Gallery
85 Mercer Street
18) The World (A)Round Amura Lab May 17–23, 10am–6pm Amura Lab Showroom
60 Grand Street
19) Safavieh Soho Open House/Giveaway May 17, 12–6pm Safavieh Soho 150 Thompson Street
X) SoHo Design Day May 17, 12–6pm (See website or app for participating showrooms)
14) Mindful Materiality: Enhancing Environments through Thoughtful Design
May 17, 1–2pm Scavolini SoHo Gallery 429 West Broadway
20) Original BTC Open Showroom May 17, 1–7pm Original BTC 56 Greene Street
21) Thuma ICFF Night Out May 17, 6:30–8:30pm Thuma 99 Wooster Street
22) In Conversation: Longchamp and Thomas Heatherwick Discuss La Maison Unique–When Visionary Design meets Creative Retail May 20, 9:30–11am Longchamp SoHo 132 Spring Street
23) Patricia Urquiola Presents The Small Hours May 20, 6–9pm Salvatori 102 Wooster Street
1)
#4W
2) Jewel Box
Apr 17–May 30, 6–8pm Allen Street Gallery 65 Allen Street
3) The Family Show by Love House
May 9–30, 11am–5pm Love House 179 East Broadway
4) Knock on Wood May 14–Jun 27 10am–6pm Egg Collective 151 Hudson Street
5) Overture by Lee Broom for Calico Wallpaper May 15–23, 12am–12pm Lee Broom Penthouse White Street
6) Vitra New Showroom Tours May 15–20, 9am–5:30pm Vitra Showroom 46 Bowery, 3rd Floor
WestHoustonStreet
7) NYCxDESIGN Keynote: Contour–A Decade of Photography for Coca–Cola ® Global Design May 15, 10:30am–2pm The International Center for Photography 84 Ludlow Street
8) The Rêveries May 15–21, 11am–6pm Galerie PHILIA 74 Warren Street, Unit 5W
9) Hundō May 15–21, 11am–6pm 86 Walker Street, Floor 2
6) The Geometry of Togetherness May 15, 5:30–8:30pm Vitra Showroom New York 46 Bowery, 3rd Floor
1) Artist Talk and Guided Meditation with Arlina Cai May 15, 6–8pm Uprise Art 264 Canal Street, #4W
10) The Reveal May 15, 6–8pm Alain Ellouz Paris 51 Hudson street
11) Espasso presents: Take A Seat by Carlos Motta May 15, 6–9pm Espasso
38 North Moore Street
12) Tuleste Factory presents: Crimson Vortex May 16–May 20, 12am–11:59pm Spring Place
6 St. Johns Lane
13) Songs of a Decoy May 16–17, 10am–6pm Galerie Santangelo 112 Madison Street Lower Level
14) OUT OF THE BLUE: Glass, Craft, and the Future of Johnnie Walker Blue Label May 16–20, 10am–6pm Christina Grajales Gallery 50 Vestry Street
15) Infinite Weave Art x Design Festival May 16–18, 12–6pm 356 Broadway
16) Design Sale Event May 16–17, 2–7pm Stillfried Design 40 Walker Street
17) Material Matters: A Show of Work by Recent RISD Alumni
May 16, 6–9pm 7 Lispenard
12) Kouros x Dezeen–Hug Chair Launch May 16, 7–11pm Spring Place
6 St. Johns Lane
6) Designer Meet & Greet: Alexis Tourron May 17, 4–6pm Vitra Showroom New York 46 Bowery, 3rd Floor
18) A Taste of Happiness by Design May 18, 5–9pm BaBoo Showroom 90 Franklin Street
19) Tuleste Factory Presents... May 19–23, 11am–6pm Tuleste Factory 299 Broadway, Suite 305
20) Erwan Boulloud | Touching Time May 20, 6–8pm Twenty First Gallery 76 Franklyn Street
1) Union Square Partnership’s Annual 14th Street Mural Installation May 12–16, 9am–5pm 37 East 14th Street
1) Union Square Partnership’s Annual 14th St Mural Installation May 13–May 17, 9am–5pm Installation 14th Street between University Place & Broadway
2) The Shape of Care Exhibition May 15–21, 12pm–6pm Common Things 76 East 7th Street Ground Floor
3) What Comes After No One? Future Artifacts for a Final Generation May 15–16, 5pm–10pm Studio Anselm Dastner 618 East 9th Street FRNT 1
4) ASID
Presents Screening of “Beyond Zero”: Design’s Power to Shape a Sustainable Future May 16, 11am–1:30pm Angelika Theater East Theatre #6 181-189 2nd Avenue
5) Lawson–Fenning Presents Agapanthus Collection May 16–21, 10am–6pm Lawson–Fenning Showroom 417 Lafayette Street 5th Floor
6) The (Little) Language Lab May 19, 11:30am–2:30pm
Downtown Brooklyn / DUMBO / Fort Greene / South Brooklyn
14) Atlantic Avenue Day of Design May 17, 11am–6pm Atlantic Avenue
15)Rosie Li Studio: Sculptural Lighting in Progress–Open Studio May 17, 11am–6pm Rosie Li Studio 36 Waverly Avenue Suite 106
16) FAD Market May 17–18, 11am–6pm St. Paul 190 Court Street
17) Casa Kids Factory and Showroom visit May 17–18, 11am–6pm Casa Kids 106 Ferris street, suite 2L
18) Industry City Open Studios
May 17, 12–6pm 254 36th Street Building 2, C244
18) Brooklyn Made x NYCxDESIGN May 17, 12–6pm Brooklyn Made Store Industry City, Building 5 51 35th street, Ground Fl.
19) Design Day at the Yard May 17, 12–8pm Brooklyn Navy Yard 141 Flushing Avenue Building 77, Suite 801
18) NSWF (Nails Set the Weak Free) May 17, 3–5pm Industry City, Building 2 254 36th Street, C244
20) iF Design x COOL HUNTING May 17, 3–5pm Tarform
Brooklyn Navy Yard Studio 299 Sands St. Building 303, Suite 801
21) DESIGN SUPRA: Stories of Georgian Hospitality May 17, 4–9pm 392 Van Brunt Street
25)
1) Lin Cheung | Sampler
Apr 4–May 31, 12–6pm In the Gallery at Brooklyn Metal Works
640 Dean Street 2nd Floor
2) Light/Lite
May 10–Jun 6, 11:30am–7:30pm UrbanGlass Agnes Varis Art Center 647 Fulton Street
3) PELLE: Lines, Squares and Painterly Light May 13–21, 9:30am–5pm PELLE Showroom Gallery 55 Ferris Street
4) Co–Designing the Classroom May 15–18, 10am–6pm Pratt Institute, Design Center Gallery
5) Technology x Design Creative Intelligence May 15, 5–7pm Work & Co 231 Front St., 5th Fl.
6) Columbus Park Reimagined May 15, 6–8pm Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street
7) Pratt Shows: Design May 15–20, 6–9pm Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus, ARC Building 200 Willoughby Aveue
8) The Light Show: A Celebration of Illuminating Ceramics May 15–Jun 8, 6–9pm 585 Dean Street
9) Powerhouse Arts Architecture & Fabrication Tour May 16, 10–11:30am Powerhouse Arts 322 Third Avenue
10) Space Theory Showroom Opening May 16–21, 10am–5pm Space Theory Showroom 16 Main Street
11) Wellness of Home May 16, 4–8pm Private Residence 311 Vanderbilt Avenue
12) IDC x Layer Logic: Kickoff Event @ Makelab May 16, 6:30–9:30pm Makelab 325 Gold Street, 703
13) Tour of Building A at the MADE Bush Terminal Campus May 17, 10:30am–12pm MADE Campus, Bush Terminal 13 42nd Street
22) Matisse Collection During Boerum Hill Design Night May 17, 5–8pm East Fork Brooklyn 377A Atlantic Avenue
23) The Met x Bolé Road May 20, 2–6pm Bolé Road Textiles 1056 Bedford Avenue
30)
40 Years Later,
Is Having a Moment DUMBO
By James S. Russell / Photos by Paul Clemence
A neighborhood crouching beneath a pair of high, noisy river bridges may not sound like a place where people would want to convene. But DUMBO’s spiffed-up industrial buildings of red brick and brawny concrete have become a nexus for New York’s design professionals.
However, this attraction to the area was hardly preordained. Brooklyn’s DUMBO spent much of the late 19th century as an industrial hub on the waterfront, with cardboardbox-maker The Robert Gair Company responsible for erecting massive concreteframed buildings with huge floor plates and big windows
that are among the district’s most sought-after today.
As industry changed, the area spent much of the 20th century in decline until struggling artists colonized a few industrial spaces, and a scrappy developer named David Walentas detected real-estate gold behind the grimy facades.
The creatives who pioneered the rebirth of the neighborhood coined the term Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) in 1978, hoping the name would deter development. The plan failed. By intensively curating a rich mix of office and showroom space, residential conversions
of industrial buildings, and distinctive street-level retail, the area increasingly attracted the creative set at the beginning of the aughts. And the design scene in the district only flourished from there.
“The neighborhood has been attracting architects and designers for the last decade, but in the past two years, there’s been an even more noticeable uptick,” says Alyssa Zahler, the managing director of commercial leasing at Two Trees Management Co. “Architecture and design firms like to colocate, and many of them collaborate with each other on projects.”
Now, DUMBO has reached an impressive critical mass of architects, product designers, furniture makers, and design showrooms (about 150 currently). Among the largest tenants in the neighborhood is Copenhagen-based Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which in 2018 decided to house its architecture staff of 170 in a vast 55,000-square-foot space in the former Gair building, which includes skylights, a planted roof terrace, and views of the bridges and the East River.
Kai-Uwe Bergmann, a partner at BIG, notes advantages of the area. “There
are artisans of chocolate, a beautiful poetry bookstore, and folks making handcrafted jewelry,” he says. “It feels good to be among creatives and people who make things.”
While it’s true that rents are lower in DUMBO than in Manhattan for similar spaces, attractions to the area include the architecture, the flexible space, and the fact that more founders and staff are living in Brooklyn these days. “The people and the streets become an extension of the social life of the office,” Bergmann adds.
The architecture firm Snøhetta is relocating its 70 employees from LowerManhattan to a 25,000-squarefoot office space in DUMBO, where firm managing director Elaine Molinar finds the building stock “both contemporary and historic—it’s not homogenous,” she says.
Makers of all forms are drawn to the character of this neighborhood. Modern furniture brand West Elm has its headquarters and a flagship in the Empire Stores—a casbah of eateries, bars, and shops. Henrybuilt, designer and manufacturer of high-end kitchens, is also opening a new design studio and showroom in an 8,000-square-foot former
stable. Company founder Scott Hudson says many of his target customers live in Brooklyn, appreciate architecture, and are drawn to DUMBO.
Multidisciplinary firm
The Post Company—which encompasses interior design, furniture making, and hospitality—recently returned to DUMBO after 12 years in Gowanus. Principal Leigh Salem explains that the firm decided to go back to their roots because of the dynamic energy of having other creative companies in the area. “Our first office was in DUMBO,” she explains. “Now, we have offices above Reform [a Scandinavian kitchen company], with Snøhetta moving across the way and Henrybuilt nearby. These really dense two blocks are inspiring for our staff.”
Events, meetups, and open houses—several sponsored by the DUMBO Improvement District—amplify the scene here. “We need these events to break out of our own worlds,” says Salem. In the 20 little blocks beneath the magnificent bridges, these convenings spark an urban entrepreneurial energy larger than the neighborhood’s constituent parts, making this emergent design district a must-experience destination.
Back by popular demand, NYCxDESIGNxSouvenir honors the creativity behind design-minded mementos
Curated Keepsakes
New York City Garbage by Justin Gignac
For out-of-town visitors, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without picking up a few souvenirs. But traditional New York City keepsakes are not exactly rife with style. However, now in its second year, the exhibition NYCxDESIGNxSouvenir redefines the metropolis’ mementos with artful expressions that highlight the beauty of New York.
Curated by Manhattanbased design firm Boym Partners for the second time, this year’s showcase celebrates souvenirs on a larger scale than its inaugural exhibition. Created in partnership with Cool Hunting and sponsored by Kikkerland Design, NYCxDESIGNxSouvenir 2025 features work from 72 designers and includes pieces that reconceptualize classic city iconography like the subway
signs that have dotted the underground rails since the 1970s.
“The subway has always been pure New York City magic,” says Loket Design founder Bart Ruijpers, who created a metrocentric domino set. “It’s a gritty, bustling network that links not just boroughs but also lives.”
Meanwhile, New York-based Canadian industrial designer Xusheng Yu produced a subway-inspired billiard ball set, which, he says, “reflects his New York City experience.”
Other pieces in the exhibition reference smaller yet meaningful only-in-NYC moments. For example, designer Michael Bambino, creative director of Facility, designed beeswax candles to resemble life-sized subway rats. And industrial designer Scott
Henderson’s Slice sculpture captures the iconic moment a piping-hot slice of New York City pizza is lifted from its paper plate and folded to be eaten. “As the mozarella stretches and the sauce clings, the slice transforms from a flat triangle into a vertical, folded New York City expression,” he notes. With a variety of perspectives, NYCxDESIGNxSouvenir offers a unique look at the city’s vibrant, multifaceted community. “New York is truly a global melting pot,” says Karim Rashid, who is presenting an edgy take on the “I Heart NY” logo. “Its diversities, its complexities, its globalism, and pluralism are really inspiring. It’s one of the few places where integration and a global spirit are omnipresent.”
—Kelsey Mulvey
“People have an ambivalent attitude to souvenirs. They are widely bought and collected by the public yet dismissed from the professional discipline of product design. We hope this exhibition will give New Yorkers a different perspective and help them realize that this is a field full of creative potential, fun, and discovery.”
–
Constantin Boym, co-curator
SOL Souvenir by Barent Roth
NYC Treasures by Sergio Mannino
NYC Trashbag Candle by Annabelle Schneider
Greenlight by Lynn Lin
Green Globe by Joanne Wu
Clubby boîtes where plush velvet, cozy banquettes, and burl wood are the vibe— and membership is on the house.
By Melissa Feldman
Haute Hangouts
William Jess Laird
New York has always been an up-all-night kind of town. Epic hangouts during the days of punk, disco, and hip hop pulsed with music and dancing in raw, industrial spaces were de rigueur. Going out in 2025 has changed, and the city that never sleeps now caters to a crowd that prefers a lounge lizard hang to booty shaking the night away. Enlivened by the latest crop of hospitality designers, these moody interiors are channeling a clubby membersonly, speakeasy vibe. Here are 10 stylish bistros, barrooms, lounges, and clubs worthy of a recreational cocktail, meal, or chill spot during a night out.
CAFE ZAFFRI
AT THE TWENTY TWO
Known as Zafs, this newcomer from the team behind Rafs engaged British firm Child Studio, which collaborated with Brooklyn-based Post Company, to infuse the spaces with a timeless Old World charm. The barroom is lined in velvet with Persian rugs atop marble mosaic floors while the main dining area features plush orange banquettes, wood paneled walls, and a palette of ivory, amber, and burgundy. The focal point of the central dining atrium is a steepled skylight. 16 East 16th Street, cafezaffri.com
CLEMENTE BAR
The former upstairs dining room of the Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven Madison Park has morphed into The Lounge, a cozy bar and sitting area decked out with paintings and frescoes by artist Francesco Clemente. A tasting menu features plant-based dishes and exotic signature cocktails like the 5th Leaf, comprising pisco, vodka, smoked sunchoke, pear, and shiso. 11 Madison Avenue, clementebar.com
SALON VERT AT PRINTEMPS
Parisian Department Store
Printemps opened its New York flagship in a landmark Art Deco FiDi building that’s swathed in chic. Designer Laura Gonzalez enlisted her fave French artisans to dress up the retail interiors as well as the store’s five food and drink outlets: Maison Passerelle, an 85-seat
fine-dining concept by James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet on the first floor; Red Room cocktail bar; Café Jalu, serving patrons all day; the Champagne Bar; and Salon Vert, a Parisian-inspired raw bar with a hand-painted tile wall and upholstered stools in fabric by Clarence House. One Wall Street, printemps.com
COQODAQ
Restaurateur Simon Kim pays homage to his native Korea at Coqodaq, a state-of-the art nightclub—masquerading as a restaurant—dedicated to the national bird. Designed by Rockwell Group, the luxurious dining room includes a sprinkling of art nouveau, mirrored walls, lit glass arches, and forest green leather booths. Made with quality ingredients, the fried chicken is definitely worth the hype. 12 East 22nd Street, coqodaq.com
SAN SABINO
Masterminded by chefs Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, the new iteration of fine dining establishment Don Angie is located in the heart of the West Village. The interiors by GRT Architects are painted a mellow yellow and milky grey, and punctuated with a stylish mix of cool metals including pewter, stainless steel, and polished brass, while the curvy bar is framed in hand made tile. 113 Greenwich Avenue, sansabinonyc.com
BRASS AND TUSK BAR
Nestled inside the historic Evelyn Hotel is the Tusk Bar and Brass restaurant, a Parisian-inspired parlor bar and brasserie that radiate charm. Designed by Islyn Studio, in a subtle palette in jewel tones, the modern furnishings are offset with velvet pillows, palms, and vintage taxidermy all illuminated by an amber glow. 7 East 27th Street, brassny.com
BAR PRIMI PENN DISTRICT
The second outpost of Bar Primi emphasizes architectural might. Located in a former loading dock around the corner from Penn and Moynihan stations, the firm of Meyer Davis envisioned the restaurant in an industrial style, fabricated with steel trimmed windows and limestone walls. The Calacatta
Viola marble bar incorporates glazed tiles with nearby upholstered booths that inspire a celebratory gathering—even if that’s just catching a train. 349 West 33rd Street, barprimi.com
TWIN TAILS
This new haven designed by Avroko is inspired by Asian restaurants of the 1980s, with a wink to the notorious Mr. Chow. The retro-futurist decor incorporates finishes like burl wood, mirrored walls, marble, and lacquer contrasted with terracotta and rattan furniture. The cuisine highlights Southeast Asian flavors from Thailand and Vietnam in a dining room with curvaceous velvet-lined booths. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, twintailsnyc.com
THE BAR AT QUARTERS
Founders of lighting manufacturer In Common With, designers Felicia Hung and Nick Ozemba have created a 8,000-square-foot showroom in an historic 19th-century Tribeca loft, which includes a restaurant and newly appointed The Bar at Quarters—also operated by the team behind Raf’s and The Musket Room. The multifunction space features a curated selection of new pieces mixed with vintage furnishings, accessories, and rare books, with lights by Sophie Lou Jacobsen. Visitors can shop or relax while sipping a glass of organic wine. 383 Broadway, shopquarters.com
THE VIEW
Perched high above Times Square in the Marriott Marquis Hotel is the reimagined landmark bar and restaurant The View, originally designed by architect John Portman in 1985. Restaurateur Danny Meyer tasked the Rockwell Group with reinvigorating the rotating bar on the 48th floor, plus the restaurant down below. Theatrical embellishments including drapes, chevron wood wall coverings, a globe light, and metallic finishes add glam to the double-height space. Guests can enjoy a pianist playing moody tunes while rotating 360 degrees around the city skyline. 1535 Broadway, theview.com
Top to bottom: The Bar at Quarters is installed with a ceiling fresco by artist Claudio Bonuglia
Design firm Meyer Davis created Bar Primi Penn District Cafe Zaffri was designed by Child Studio in collaboration with Post Company
Salon Vert, is one of five food and drink experiences at Printemp New York
Opposite page: Brooklyn-based Islyn Studio designed The Evelyn’s chic Brass restaurant and Tusk bar
International Spotlight
Italy
Italian design had a banner year in 2024: Made-in-Italy exports to the U.S. hit $76.4 billion, with design sales alone reaching $3.7 billion—a 2.3% jump from the year prior. In the face of global uncertainty, the Italian Trade Commission remains optimistic about the continued demand for the country’s distinctive design products.
“Over the past decade, there’s been a noticeable shift in how audiences and consumers engage with Italian design,” says Carlo Bocchi, director of the Italian Trade Commission.
“Consumers are increasingly drawn to designs that not only showcase traditional craftsmanship, but also integrate modern needs, such as space-saving solutions and eco-friendly materials, together with the long established tradition of the Italian Maestri in terms of colors, trends, sizes, and style.”
With the purpose of promoting foreign trade and Italy’s exports, the Italian Trade Agency is spotlighting 20 pioneering brands at this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), while major showrooms like Archiproducts, B&B Italia, Flou, Poliform, Poltrana Frau, Porada, Scavolini,
and Technogym bring the celebration to the streets during the festival’s Nomad Night Out on May 16 and SoHo Day out on May 17.
“These flagship showrooms serve as cultural touchstones, showcasing the evolution of Italian design and its adaptability to contemporary lifestyles,” Bocchi notes. “They have transformed furniture shopping into an immersive experience, blending art, architecture, and design in a way that resonates with New York’s cosmopolitan audience,”
With strong representation throughout the city’s design districts—from Madison Avenue to the Javits Convention Center—Italian craftsmanship continues to shape and elevate New York’s design story. “Italian furniture design excites due to its harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. The emphasis on attention to detail and use of luxurious materials creates pieces that are both functional and artistic,” adds Bocchi. “And the integration of sustainability into design practices ensures that Italian furniture not only enhances living spaces, but also aligns with modern environmental values.”—Sophie Aliece Hollis
Top to bottom: Ernest Sofa, Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform
Artist Six N.Five’s Moonbeam Lamp for Poltrona Frau
The new iteration of Tufty-Time 20, by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia
France International Spotlight
With a distinctive blend of elegance and craftsmanship, French design will be showcased citywide with the third edition of Oui Design!, running concurrently with NYCxDESIGN 2025. Presented by cross-cultural organization Villa Albertine, which works to bridge the creative landscapes of France and the United States, the expansive celebration of French savoir-faire unfolds through exhibitions, talks, French soirées, and open studios. The city’s top design galleries from the D&D Building to Brooklyn and Queens will feature work by dozens of established and emerging French makers.
“Oui Design! is a testament to France’s deep-rooted commitment to artistry and innovation,” says Villa Albertine director Mohamed Bouabdallah, who is also the Cultural Counselor of France in the U.S. “By bringing these extraordinary designers and artisans to New York, we foster creative exchange and highlight the lasting impact of French craftsmanship.”
The festivities launch May 15 at the Payne Whitney Mansion, Villa Albertine’s historic Fifth Avenue home, where creative director Aurore Vullierme curates a striking pop-up exhibition spotlighting eight French artisans. Their talents span from feather artistry and painted marble to ceramics and painterly wall treatments.
For the first time, the legendary French magazine Savoir-Faire launches an English edition in conjunction with the festival, while activations from citywide partners—including The Invisible Collection, Galerie Philia, Pierre Yovanovitch Gallery, and Maison Gérard, to name a few—further amplify the celebration of French design’s timeless allure and contemporary evolution. Oui Design!, May 17–23, throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Sophie Aliece Hollis
Clockwise, from above: Arlecchino (bibliothèque) by Pierre-Yves Morel
Installation by Célina Blundell, Atelier Blundell & Therrien
Portrait of Alice Riehl with Millefleurs
Eline Willaert
Pierre Antoine
Trade Show Trilogy
ICFF, Wanted, and Shelter by Afternoon Light score a hat trick on the West Side.
ICFF and Wanted
“No matter the current climate, ICFF remains a vital gathering point for our [design] community,” says Claire Pijoulat, co-brand director with Odile Hainaut of the annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and its companion show Wanted, overseen by the duo for three years. “We invite everyone to join us at the Javits Center May 18-21—to connect with peers, engage with clients, and share meaningful moments with friends across the industry.”
Celebrating 36 years in 2025, ICFF continues to expand its focus of highlighting human-
centered, multisensory, and multicultural design under the direction of Pijoulat and Hainut. This year’s theme “Designing in Harmony” reflects the global industry’s evolving priorities, emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and the human connection that continues to inform and define thoughtful, forward-thinking design.
“ICFF will be more than just a showcase of innovative design products—it will feature a dynamic three-day program with over 80 speakers from around the world,” says Hainaut about their mission to provide deeper engagement for visitors.
Installations of lounges, libraries and salons that emphasize immersive experiences are being copresented with a curated selection of brands. And emerging design will once again be highlighted at Wanted with the platforms Look Book, Launch Pad, and The Oasis, which will feature compelling discussions including “The Future Is Fractal: Neurobiology and the Future of Design.”
Hainaut adds, “We are proud to have ICFF be a platform for fresh ideas, critical conversations, and global perspectives.”
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Avenue.
Shelter by Afternoon Light
Launching simultaneously with ICFF is Shelter by Afternoon Light, a new alternative design fair co-founded by Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, creators of the online shopping destination Afternoon Light. The duo joined forces with show producer Andmore to present the first iteration of this fair, which is targeted to consumers
Above: Hollis + Morris
Isthmus table and Oldtown stools will debut at ICFF
Right: The entrance to ICFF and Wanted
Opposite page: Shell Surface by Miles Gracey, part of the Jonalddudd showcase at Shelter by Afternoon Light
and opens in the West Chelsea landmark Starrett-Lehigh building May 17-19.
“With Shelter we want to build a sense of joy around NYCxDesign Week and give people—and the brands they love, plus a few they’ve yet to discover—a chance to connect in real life,” Quirk says about the inspiration behind creating this new show.
With the theme “Mart Nouveau,” Shelter will offer
products from over 100 commercial brands including USM, Roll & Hill, Tom Dixon, Blu Dot, Moooi, Stellar Works, Matter Made, Hem, and Dusty Deco. Solo makers and smaller emerging firms include Avram Rusu Studio, Kelsie Rudolph, Garnier Pingree and Harry Allen Designs alongside JONALDDUDD’s presentation of 65 designers, curated by Chen Chen & Kai Williams. Also on offer are curated talks, music,
food, and direct-to-consumer shopping.
“We are building the event we want to go to,” adds Quirk. “It’s inspired by the best elements of design fairs around the world, combined with the energy of art and book fairs, and of premium shopping events.”
Public tickets to Shelter are available for $25 for a single day pass and $40 for two day access. Starrett-Lehigh, 601 West 26th Street.
NYCxDESIGN’s 2025 Tours highlight some of the most unusual and inspiring places. Come explore attractions— from the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer to Powerhouse Arts, a fabrication facility in Gowanus. The city awaits. Reserve your spot at nycxdesign.org.
Day Tripping
Grand Central Madison – A New Landmark and Cultural Corridor
Though commuters and locals might spend plenty of time racing through Grand Central Station, it’s seldom that they stop to look around. Join New York’s design community for a guided tour of the commissioned art and architectural features in the new and extraordinary Grand Central Madison terminal, which offers seamless Long Island Railroad access to Manhattan’s East Side. Guests will hear from MTA Arts & Design’s Yaling Chen and Bridget Donlon about how they’re bringing the station alive through thoughtful art commissions.
Grand Central Madison – A New Landmark and Cultural Corridor; May 18, 1–3 p.m.; Grand Central Madison LIRR Terminal
Hudson Yards Art and Architecture Tour
Nestled along Manhattan’s West Side, Hudson Yards is well on its way to becoming a modern metropolitan marvel. Engage with Hudson Yards brand ambassadors as they walk the design community through the original lobby artworks by Frank Stella and Jaume Plensa, the inspiration behind the Thomas Heatherwick-designed Vessel, and the rich history of the site’s development. Using a question-based approach, the experience encourages participants to take in each artwork on their own terms.
Hudson Yards Art and Architecture Tour; May 16, 2–3 p.m.; Hudson Yards, Public Square and Gardens at the NYCxDESIGN Pavilion, north of Vessel
Davis Center at the Harlem Meer
Nature and design coexist in perfect harmony at Davis Center at the Harlem Meer. Designed by the Central Park Conservancy’s landscape architects in collaboration with Susan T. Rodriguez and Mitchell Giurgola, the stateof-the-art facility and surrounding landscape reinstates Central Park as a democratic, restorative green space. This walking tour will highlight the project’s key design elements, led by the landscape architects and architects behind this transformative initiative.
Davis Center at the Harlem Meer; May 16, 3–4:30 p.m.; 110 Lenox Ave., mid-park between 106th and 108th Streets, walking access from 110th Street and Malcolm X Blvd
DUMBO Design District Walking Tour
Get to know Brooklyn’s DUMBO Design District with a comprehensive walking tour. Stroll along Belgian brick streets dotted with historic warehouses and modern architecture, peruse local galleries and stores, and meet the creatives who are bringing so much beauty into the neighborhood. The tour will conclude with a trip to Hudson Wilder, a hybrid design studio/showroom/café, where participants can share observations and insights from the tour.
DUMBO Design District Walking Tour; Hudson Wilder, May 21, 3–4 p.m.; 142 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn
Cornell Tech and Four Freedoms Park Tour
For the first time, NYCxDESIGN is partnering with Cornell Tech to feature its Roosevelt Island campus as a key festival location. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the campus as well as the Four Freedoms Park, an adjacent, four-acre memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed by prolific mid-century architect Louis Kahn. By the time the tour is over, guests will walk away with a unique perspective on both cutting-edge technology and the rich history that has shaped our nation’s values. Roosevelt Island is easily accessible by subway, tram, car, and ferry.
Cornell Tech and Four Freedoms Park Tour; May 20, 4–6 p.m.; Cornell Tech Bloomberg Center Lobby, 2 W Loop Road, Roosevelt Island
Hudson Yards AR Walking Tour: Explore NYC’s
Invisible Digital City
Enjoy a 45-minute walking tour of Hudson Yards led by the augmented reality experts at inCitu in collaboration with Helpful Places. Participants will use their smartphones to uncover the city’s intelligent infrastructure and other urban gems hidden in plain sight around the 28-acre, mixed-use neighborhood of Hudson Yards.
Hudson Yards AR Walking Tour:
Explore NYC’s Invisible Digital City; May 20, 4–5 p.m.; 20 Hudson Yards
Powerhouse Arts
Explore Powerhouse Arts (PHA), a non-profit fine art fabrication facility that connects artists to each other as well as to vital resources to help advance their creative practices. President Eric Shiner will offer an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating beautiful ceramics and prints, among other disciplines. Architects Philip Schmerbeck of Herzog & de Meuron and Jim Seger of PBDW will share how their firms transformed this historic power plant into an artful oasis.
Powerhouse Arts; May 16, 10–11:30 a.m.; 322 Third Avenue, Brooklyn
Tour of Building A, MADE Bush Terminal Campus
Honor New York’s past and present with an exclusive tour of the newly completed MADE Bush Terminal campus and historic Building A. Founded in the early 1900s by Irving T. Bush, his namesake terminal was NYC’s first and largest multitenant industrial property. Today, the site has been transformed into a cutting-edge waterfront hub by nARCHITECTS and NYCEDC, who will lead the site visit.
Tour of Building A; MADE Bush Terminal Campus; May 17, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.; 13 42nd Street, Brooklyn
High School Student Tour at NYC Design Colleges
Calling all aspiring designers: Here’s your opportunity to envision a career in the industry. High school students can sign up for exclusive tours of NYC’s top design colleges—including Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York Institute of Technology, and New York School of Interior Design—and explore the incredible end-of-year exhibitions by today’s rising design talents.
High School Student Tour at NYC Design Colleges, dates and times can be found at nycxdesign.org
This page clockwise from left: The former power plant was transformed by Herzog & de Meuron architects into a contemporary art center, Powerhouse Arts (PHA)
MADE Bush Terminal, a multipurpose space leased to manufacturers, artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs is located along the Sunset Park waterfront
Yayoi Kusama’s mosaic “A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart Unto the Universe” installed at Grand Central Madison
Opposite page: Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island Campus tour incorporates a visit to the adjacent Four Freedoms Park
ICFF Night
Out
ICFF NIGHT OUT returns with invitation-only evening experiences spotlighting Manhattan’s leading design destinations. On Friday, May 16 (NoMad and Flatiron) and Saturday, May 17 (SoHo), the city’s most innovative showrooms will come alive after dark with cocktails, culinary moments, music, and immersive design showcases.
From festive gatherings to one-of-a-kind installations,
ICFF NIGHT OUT offers rare access to global brands and creative talents in a more intimate setting.
Curated in partnership with aspire design and home, Interni, and NYCxDESIGN, each night celebrates the unmatched energy of New York City during design’s most exciting week.
For updates and details, visit icff.com/fair/icff-nightout-public.
Design After Dark
Friday, May 16
The Showrooms of NoMad and Flatiron
Lixil
155 5th Avenue at 21st Street 4–7 p.m.
Experience this showroom’s bold new design, unveiled earlier this year.
Nemo Tile
48 East 21st Street at Park Avenue; 5–9 p.m.
Celebrate tile in a carnival atmosphere including games, prizes and themed refreshments.
Surfaces & Company
19 West 21st Street, 2nd Floor between 5th and 6th Avenue; 5–9 p.m.
This evening event follows a day of sipping, snacking, and fêting a new collection from Mosaique Surface.
Boffi
99 Madison Avenue. at 29th Street; 5–9 p.m.
Boffi and DePadova will entertain attendees with a cooking show from Il Baretto and a DJ set by Arnaud Muller.
Porcelanosa
202 5th Avenue at 25th Street
5–9 p.m.
Raise a glass to the latest in tiles, bathrooms, and kitchens from Porcelanosa.
Flos, Louis Poulsen
135 Madison Avenue at 31st Street; 6–8 p.m.
Experience the luxury lighting of Flos and Louis Poulsen at the B&B Italia flagship location.
Artefacto
149 Madison Avenue at 32nd Street; 6–9 p.m.
Join Pietro and Bruno Bacchi at Artefacto’s new showroom for a vibrant taste of Brazilian culture including Bossa Nova music and Samba dancing.
Moroso
105 Madison Avenue at 30th Street; 7–9 p.m.
Toast ICFF at the impressive space Moroso first unveiled for its 70th anniversary.
Saturday,
May 17
The Showrooms of SoHo
Original BTC
56 Greene Street at Broome Street; 5–8 p.m.
Mix with design aficionados as Original BTC unveils its new pendant collection.
Flos
152 Greene Street at Houston Street; 6–8 p.m.
Mingle among eye-catching lighting selections from Flos.
Thuma
99 Wooster Street between Prince and Spring Streets; 6–8 p.m.
This immersive introduction to the Thuma experience will include a bespoke fragrance bar.
Visual Comfort
151 Wooster Street between Prince and Spring Streets; 6–8 p.m.
View an exclusive tabletop presentation, and enter to win special prizes.
