Marina Cafe Dining Room

View of the interiors of the main dining hall.

Project Details

• Project Name: The Marina Cafe Dining Room
• Client: Marina Cafe c/o Sam Corigliano and Joseph D'Ellessio
• Project Type: Interior Design
• Principal Designer: David L. Businelli
• Design Team: David L. Businelli, Miguel Velez, Alexandra Fernandez (DNA Design Group)
• Contractor: Manhattan Contracting
• Date of commencement of project: May 2003
• Date of completion of project: October 2005
• Location of site: Staten Island, New York, USA
• Site Area: 31,724 square feet
• Built-up Area: 6,548 square feet
• Area of Work: 2,100 square feet
• Cost of Construction/Execution: USD 350, 000

The roof was rebuilt to allow for a greater ceiling height and panoramic views into the harbor.

The Building

The Marina Cafe has been one of the most outstanding restaurants on Staten Island for the past 25 years, and is one of only a handful of waterfront restaurants on the island.

In 2001, the owners of the Marina Cafe embarked on a two phase renovation of the restaurant in anticipation of the celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The existing dining room had a very low ceiling, two levels and inadequate ventilation. Also, it did not take full advantage of the magnificent view of the harbor.

Phase 1 involved the renovation of the bar area while phase 2 encompassed the renovation of the interiors of the main dining room, installation of new windows, removal of existing skylights and replacement of the HVAC system.

Repair of the piles supporting the dining room was also required.

Tensile fabric sails are elements that mark the interiors of the dining hall.

The architects opposed the removal of just the skylights and existing ductwork as it would involve major demolition of the existing ceiling and roof, leaving just a small percentage intact.

Instead the roof was completely removed and a new structure built in its place to provide a much higher ceiling with dramatic views of the harbor.

A double curved roof was thus created using sustainable design strategies.

Two walls of floor to ceiling glass facing east and north flood the space with natural light which minimizes the need for artificial light for most of the day, especially in summer.

North-facing operable clerestory windows allow natural ventilation.

The design utilizes sustainable strategies to minimize costs and energy consumption.

The structure of the new roof is fabricated from engineered glue-laminated lumber.

A high efficiency air conditioning and heating system was installed and high efficiency halogen bulbs used for artificial lighting. Ceiling fans were also installed.

The exterior is clad with aluminum/plywood composite panels, fabricated within 400 miles of Staten Island and custom cut on site.

The roof is coated with a white coating to minimize heat gain.

The interior, designed by Alexandra Fernandez of DNA Design Group, features tensile fabric sails in continuation with the sails in the bar which were also designed by her.

Mahogany from certified sustainable forests was used for the column enclosures along with trim, water based carpet adhesive and low VOC carpeting.

The project has been honored with an AIA Award.

Credits

• Text by David L. Businelli, Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs by Zbig Jedrus, Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Varun Ajani