Caseworks, the architect for “Compose”, a restaurant and cocktail lounge located in the heart of Tribeca, is proud to announce the completion of this most recent project.

“Compose” is designed to offer guests a unique and interactive dining experience, showcasing the finest food and drinks within an intimate 700 square foot space.
Highlights of caseworks’ design feature an u-shaped granite bar, custom glass racks and mirrored wood ceilings. An undulating steel wall will usher you into the restaurant where your bar seat provides a view into the modern open kitchen and the chefs on display.

Gothamist, 12.02.2010:

“Compose: Tribeca’s Dainty New Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge”

“…Chef Nick Curtin (Noma) offers an 8- to 10 course tasting menu that changes daily according to market availability… We’re told diners can expect “innovative twists on classic flavors,” such as Sous Vide Scallop with Fennel Puree; fall entrees might include Razor Clams with Almond Broth and Green Tea Oil and Foie Gras with Black Pepper Chocolate. The cocktails are, of course, made with juice squeezed fresh to order, and “dead clear ice” hand cut to fit each glass by Okamoto Studios. Compose also offers a daily cask conditioned ale, and an extensive wine list with over 300 selections that will rotate through the cellar’s 1500 bottles.

For those who don’t secure a reservation through OpenTable or who just want to come in for a cocktail, Compose has seating for an additional twenty customers at snug banquettes nestled around the room. A bar menu, which offers more substantial portions than the tasting menu, includes options like Mussels, Seared Scallops, Duck Fat Popcorn, artisanal cheeses, and Bourbon Chocolate Pie.”

http://gothamist.com/2010/12/02/compose_tribeca_photos.php

Thrillist New York, 12.01.2010:

“Chef’s Bar: Compose”

“Cozy up to this undulating-walled joint’s ice-lined bar for light snacks (smoked oysters, duck fat popcorn…), “dialogue-based” cocktails, and daily cask conditioned ales, or nab one of 10 reservations for a constantly rotating 8-10 course prix fixe meal featuring innovative seasonal dishes like baked pebble potatoes w/ creme fraiche, caviar/pecan puree/cranberry crumble-sided seared Iberico ham, and rock shrimp actually served on a hot stone with smoked paprika oil and micro greens known as bulls blood, so expect a gore-geous presentation.”

http://www.thrillist.com/eat/food-dining/2010/12/01/compose

Urbandaddy New York, 11.30.2010:

“First and 10 – A Tasting Menu for Only 10 People”

“Once you’ve secured your golden ticket, given chef Nick Curtin a heads-up on your dietary preferences (you’re into waffles for dinner this month) and pocketed your favorite semi-illegal wet-naps, the only thing standing between you and your rightful spot at the coveted U-shaped marble bar is a pair of 100-year-old etched doors. Thankfully, they open just like brand-new doors.
… You may find yourself selecting wines from an in-house iPad. Or entering into deep discussion with your bartender, as you two create a personal “dialogue-based” cocktail while he hand-shaves your ice (and hand-makes your tiny umbrella, should the libation take a turn for the tropical).”

http://bit.ly/gwgs6O

Read more:

“Compose’s Table Games”
ZAGAT, 11.30.2010
http://blog.zagat.com/composes-table-games

“Compose Restaurant’s Trendy Opening“
Near Say, 11.30.2010
http://newyork.nearsay.com/nyc/soho-tribeca/restaurants-compose-chef-nick-curtin-momofuku-ko

“What You Might Eat at Compose”
Grub Street New York, 11.29.2010
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/11/what_you_might_eat_at_compose.html

“2010’s Dining Trends Wrapped up in One Tribeca Restaurant”
”Eater NY, 11.29.2010
http://ny.eater.com/archives/2010/11/compose.php

“Restaurant Openings, Compose”
New York Magazine Restaurants, 11.28.2010
http://nymag.com/restaurants/openings/69771/

“In the News: Compose”
Tribeca Citizen, 08.24.2010
http://tribecacitizen.com/2010/08/24/in-the-news-compose/

Metromix New York
http://newyork.metromix.com/restaurants/contemporary/compose-tribeca/2142476/content

Open Table, New York
http://www.opentable.com/compose

Yelp, New York
http://www.yelp.com/biz/compose-manhattan

Menupages, New York City
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/compose/

BlackBook
http://www.blackbookmag.com/guides/details/compose

 One of the main goals of the project was to preserve and restore the strong but elegant facades of the American Standard Building, a landmarked structure in New York City’s midtown Manhattan. Reconstructive repairs of the type required for this project are typically visible and detract from the beauty of the building when complete. To that end, limiting the awareness of the project after completion as well as during construction was of paramount importance.

 Prior to the start of the project, extensive testing was performed to determine the extent of disruption from construction noise. From this a comprehensive phasing schedule was prepared that dictated which and how many rooms would need to be taken out of service while the work was being performed at a specific area.  Daily coordination and communication between the project team helped to ensure the hotel remained occupied with uninterrupted operations.

We also designed a 30 foot high open-framed steel sidewalk bridge installed over the hotel entry and sidewalk below. This provided an opportunity to conceal the construction work above and limit public disruptions, while maintaining the sight lines from the building to Bryant Park, directly across the street. Guests and pedestrians were largely oblivious of the bridge as well as what was happening above.  

 The repair program, including replacement of nearly all steel lintels and a significant portion of the ornamental gold elements at the upper crown, incorporated the reuse of existing materials along with installing new materials that closely matched those existing from the original construction. The purpose was to blend the new materials within the existing envelope so that the public would be unaware that significant reconstructive work had occurred. The end result is an intervention that is barely perceptible.

 The brick masonry units used during the original construction are made from red clay with a black coating that was most likely applied after the units were fabricated in a firing process. Where possible, the existing masonry was removed, restored and reused. However, over 25,000 new bricks were required to be installed within the existing masonry fabric of the buildings façade. This work included nearly all of the soldier course units above the window heads, parapet reconstruction, corner reconstruction, and localized face-brick replacement. After a long search, a red clay textured unit with a black-brown coating was selected as the replacement brick unit.  The brick was approved by both the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the national preservation organization, the Trust for Architectural Easements.  Once installed the units and surrounding mortar were hand-dyed to blend into the existing masonry field.

 The existing ornamental units at the crown of the building were originally constructed as solid cast-in place concrete elements. Replacement with matching materials and construction techniques were not feasible and as such new replica stones were fabricated using glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) units. These units are mounted to steel armatures attached to the newly reconstructed masonry parapets. 

 The American Standard Building is a significant individual landmark as well as a focal point and part of the fabric of New York City. The people at the Bryant Park Hotel wanted to show its support for the community by restoring this beautiful building for its neighbors, the public and their guests.  The work of this project provided significant and necessary repairs that will further help preserve the building for years to come.

caseworks architect, PLLC was proud to be the 2009 Sponsor of the Greenwich Village Little League (GVLL) Orioles T-Ball team. The 5 and 6-year old team members showed great improvement throughout the season due to their enthusiasm, positive team attitude, hard work and dedication.

Games were played on Sunday mornings at Pier 40 in New York City, and were a joyous event for all. Each exciting game delivered an education in camaraderie, the rules of baseball, and good-sportsmanship. John Paul Murray, Principal of caseworks, volunteered as team manager with fellow parent volunteers, Tom Bussey and Brian Flynn, as the team’s coaches. We also would like to salute all the parents for their participation and help in making the season so enjoyable.

The season ended with a celebration and trophy ceremony at the Orioles’ home field. The teammates accepted their awards with pride and a true sense of accomplishment. We look forward to supporting the GVLL and their effort to promote youth athletics in future seasons.

Parents, friends and family members are encouraged to sign in and share photos, videos and comments about the season at caseworks basecamp.