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By Jana Schiowitz
Photography by Mr. Gates, Marni Horwitz of Alive Structures, Evangeline Dennie, and Alex Feleppa of HSNY
Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, home to writers, musicians, and artists alike, provided Evangeline Dennie the perfect backdrop for her first hospitality project, Oulu Bar & Ecolounge. "I gained so much inspiration from the creative ideas that surrounded me here as well as from the natural absence of greenery," says the New York City-based LEED AP designer. To contrast the stark industrial landscape, Dennie made an initial statement with a living wall—the borough's first—on the former garage's facade. "Imagine such a sublime way to restore our cities' lost natural habitat and hydrological processes," she says.
Although a tight budget and the last-minute absence of a general contractor posed some challenges, Dennie filled the space with sustainable elements, drawing inspiration from the birch tree-filled landscape of the bar's namesake city in Finland. Wood panels appear to peel from the walls, reminiscent of the bark of a birch tree, and cantilevering bar-height tables made of FSC-certified wood create intimate seating in the front. Other green components found throughout the 2,500-square-foot space include sheetrock walls made of post-industrial recycled material and post-consumer recycled paper; birch logs brought in from a private forest in Pennsylvania; biodegradable ceramic tile on the walls and water-based grout sealer in the bathrooms; natural Mica panels that promote light exchange; low-VOC paint with a milk-based pigment; and a garage door that provides natural ventilation.
"Traditionally, there isn't a link between a drinking establishment and green design in the minds of most clients," says Dennie. "It was precisely that association that made the project that much more challenging, as well as alluring, for me as a designer who is dedicated to sustainability."
For more information, visit www.edennie.com.
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Greening the Bar
March 18, 2008By Jana Schiowitz
Photography by Mr. Gates, Marni Horwitz of Alive Structures, Evangeline Dennie, and Alex Feleppa of HSNY
Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, home to writers, musicians, and artists alike, provided Evangeline Dennie the perfect backdrop for her first hospitality project, Oulu Bar & Ecolounge. "I gained so much inspiration from the creative ideas that surrounded me here as well as from the natural absence of greenery," says the New York City-based LEED AP designer. To contrast the stark industrial landscape, Dennie made an initial statement with a living wall—the borough's first—on the former garage's facade. "Imagine such a sublime way to restore our cities' lost natural habitat and hydrological processes," she says. Although a tight budget and the last-minute absence of a general contractor posed some challenges, Dennie filled the space with sustainable elements, drawing inspiration from the birch tree-filled landscape of the bar's namesake city in Finland. Wood panels appear to peel from the walls, reminiscent of the bark of a birch tree, and cantilevering bar-height tables made of FSC-certified wood create intimate seating in the front. Other green components found throughout the 2,500-square-foot space include sheetrock walls made of post-industrial recycled material and post-consumer recycled paper; birch logs brought in from a private forest in Pennsylvania; biodegradable ceramic tile on the walls and water-based grout sealer in the bathrooms; natural Mica panels that promote light exchange; low-VOC paint with a milk-based pigment; and a garage door that provides natural ventilation."Traditionally, there isn't a link between a drinking establishment and green design in the minds of most clients," says Dennie. "It was precisely that association that made the project that much more challenging, as well as alluring, for me as a designer who is dedicated to sustainability."For more information, visit www.edennie.com.
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