Aldo Sohm Wine Bar New York, New York
Designed to convey the expertise and geniality of a well-regarded sommelier, this alternative to a full-scaled restaurant is located on a gracious through-block passage in Midtown Manhattan. Its bright canopy and entry vestibule are centered under a large- scaled mural by the renowned Sol LeWitt, a few doors away from Le Bernardin, which flanks one entrance to the passage. The wine bar’s interior is conceived as a "living room," occupying a single clearly defined rectangular volume. At its center is an extensive "sofa" with colorful pillows, wrapped around an area of low tables and black leather hassocks — all resting on the rectangle of a custom-designed rug. A ceiling-high wood screen on the axis of the entrance lends the space an effective sense of privacy from the world outside, while not actually obstructing the view in or out. Lining the perimeter of the space are rows of bar-height chairs and tables. Centered at the end of the room is the "wine bar’s" actual bar, which is freestanding, much like the island counters in contemporary kitchens. With this homelike arrangement, there is no firm spatial distinction between servers and those they serve. Shelves along the room’s walls show objects that Sohm has collected, much as personal mementos would be displayed at home. A variety of artworks commissioned for the space — characterized by bright colors and playful compositions — are organized in groups on the walls. The use of various woods, dark and light, contribute to the domestic feeling. Crafted light globes suspended in the space form a kind of canopy, lending a desired sense of intimacy to the tall volume. Opening from one corner of the main space is a small-scaled wine-tasting room, with seats around a dining table of residential dimensions. This room has its own palette of muted colors, and on its walls are small-scaled, sepia-toned photographs of vineyards, which can be changed, depending on the wine of the day.
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