Lincoln Center To Redesign Harmony Atrium

Lincoln Center has announced the architectural firm that will redesign the Harmony Atrium –– an indoor passageway between Broadway and Columbus Avenue, and West 62 nd and West 63rd streets that includes a little-used climbing wall, among other defunct features. It is Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, a New York-based firm. Their proposal for the space emphasizes warm communal spaces and sensual experiences: a large coffee table where people can sit and eat, but which can also be used as a stage for free performances, and a large solari board –– that loudly clicking information board found in old train stations. Besides Tod Williams Billie Tsien, the design team will include Michael Bierut of the design consultancy Pentagram.

Construction on the Harmony Atrium, which is estimated to cost between $10 million and $15 million, will begin next summer and be completed by fall of 2008. The atrium will be a place to find centralized information about Lincoln Center's offerings and will also offer food service, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a discount ticket facility.