Forgiveness
How to remain sober
P*Ong Dessert Bar
DESSERT BAR
NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA
ARCHITECT OF RECORD: AYUMI DATE
CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE: AYUMI DATE
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS EXPEDITOR: AYUMI DATE
PROJECT DESIGNERS: PICHET ONG AND ANDRE KIKOSKI
COLORS AND MATERIALS: PICHET ONG AND ANDRE KIKOSKI
FURNISHINGS: PICHET ONG AND AYUMI DATE
受理
Juri
This is a story of preservation–preserving the viability of design as well as the use of a condemned property. Ultimately this was a self portrait of a celebrated chef Pichet Ong, who was nominated for a James Beard award five times. His vision required balancing disparate energies–client, designer, contractor, and city regulators.
The 700 sq ft space was officially declared unfit for use. Rather than design, my role as architect was to expedite permits through the NYC Department of Buildings and review the entire process through Landmark Preservation. As with the Photographer’s studio, city regulators, not a stubborn client, are often the true obstacle to the realization of dreams–both of an impatient patron and of a broken property. Magazine perfect pictures, another celebrated space, in the end, erases the hardships and misspoken words causing injury.
As the project was a celebration of a client, boundaries were stretched. There was confusion and a lack of accountability throughout the process. Relationships were risked, but we championed making ethical choices. My job was to be the peacemaker, balancing the energies of the people in the room, encouraging forgiveness.
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My mantra at the time:
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”
The dessert bar was a challenging project, no doubt, but it reinforced key personal values: being humble, knowing when to move on, honoring my 20+ year architectural license. The restaurant opened in 2007, only to close in 2010, begging the questions: “What would have happened if our design process included words like Humility, Acceptance and Forgiveness, Impermanence, or Sobriety? Would there have been a different outcome had we focused on Hygge rather than Perfection?”
Not losing focus, staying calm, not to give into sapping energies.
Realizing that managing city regulators is ultimately more critical in getting the permit to begin work. Design is difficult to manage when it becomes personal. Allow for forgiveness, compromise and accept the outcome. Let go of control.
