What do you get when you combine a Mark Fuller water sculpture, a Diller Scofidio + Renfro bosque, and classes of young talented Julliard students all within the same three square blocks?  A re-imagined Lincoln Center, where the drama of an evening performance moves outdoors during the day.

For over 45 years, New York’s Lincoln Center has been a central cultural attraction - at night.  With the exception of afternoon matinée performances, the dozen resident organizations, including the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, open their doors after the sun has set, typically for an 8pm curtain.  Fortunately, a series of small public interventions are creating a new daytime face for the institution, and many more are on their way.

Water Fountain (photo credit: Spain)

 Mark Fuller and his company Wet have redesigned the signature water feature.  Fuller, known for progressive and wild water projects, most recently five sculptures at CityCenter in Las Vegas, has created a classic fountain with lots of water power for Lincoln Center’s central plaza.  The new circular bench is positioned well above the water line, and its seemingly invisible structure heightens the drama of sitting over water. 

Elevated Bosque (photo credit: Spain)

Similar to the calming and powerful nature of the water feature, Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s elevated bosque creates a green sanctuary amid the stark public space.  Situated five steps above the plaza level, the hyper-designed platform, complete with built-in bench, footrest and upper tier of seating, conceals a slight shift in grade and creates a cool haven for relaxation and people watching.  On a recent Friday afternoon, these seats were perfectly positioned for a view of Julliard students practicing their slow-motion leap-frog and mock pizza deliveries. 

The fountain and bosque are just two of the many public interventions commissioned by the institution.  With a restaurant and infoscape yet to be completed, the face of Lincoln Center seems poised and on track towards the positive lift it is looking for.

Stay tuned for The Functionality’s complete review of Lincoln Center’s new public spaces and look for us there at lunchtime when the weather is perfect.