The Office of Tangible Space redesigns the interior of the Brooklyn Museum Cafe

New York studio Office of Tangible Space has revamped the interior of the Brooklyn Museum’s cafeteria, ahead of the institution’s 200th anniversary next year.

The Brooklyn Museum Cafe is located in the building’s light-filled lobby, which was added to the original fine arts building in 2004 by Polshek Partnership Architects (now Ennead Architects).

Serving a menu from local restaurateur and sommelier André Hueston Mack, who runs neighborhood restaurant & Sons, the redesigned cafe is meant for locals and museum visitors to enjoy light bites and drinks.

“Playing with the museum’s mission, (we) envisioned the cafe as a Brooklyn step where everyone is invited,” said the Office of Tangible Space. “The space embodies the play, creativity, craft and expression that make Brooklyn and Brooklynites so unique.”

The local studio created a fluid design that allows visitors to wander through the space.

The furniture is arranged in “islands and streams” that can accommodate diners of different group sizes, as well as those stopping by for a casual coffee.

“The space is anchored by large islands of seating and undulating streams of custom tables that point the way,” said the Office of Tangible Space.

Aluminum chairs with seats and backs perforated with large holes accompany the tables, including circular wooden designs for up to six guests and two dark green counters.

Other tables made from folded sheets of thin periwina-colored metal have angled sides, allowing them to form serpentine shapes when lined up in a row.

Cushioned round poufs upholstered in pale blue and green are placed around the perimeter, which is delineated by a set of freestanding wooden dividers and potted plants.

“The incorporation of bold colors and materials add to the playfulness and tactility of the space,” said the studio.

For the new space, the museum and the Office of Tangible Space commissioned 10 local artists to design unique stools that fill the cafeteria.

The handmade wooden seats, made on Sundays, have been customized by Minjae Kim, Chen Chen and Kai Williams, Ellen Pong, Kim Mupangilaï and more.

“These handcrafted pieces not only complement the design of the cafe, but also echo the philosophy that food, like art, is an immersive experience: engaging the senses, sparking conversation and creating a connection between the creator and the public,” said Office of Tangible Space. .

The Brooklyn Museum building, designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1895, will host a variety of exhibitions and events planned to celebrate its bicentennial.

These include Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200, a showcase celebrating the institution’s collection and legacy opening in February 2025.

Founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Perumbeti, Office of Tangible Space was shortlisted in the Emerging Interior Designer of the Year category at the Dezeen Awards 2020.

Photography by Matthew Gordon.