Caf� Citron is an elegant combination of traditional hand-crafted materials and clean, modern lines. The free-standing, self-contained service unit is elliptical in shape and is designed to appeal to the sophisticated, upscale Saks customer. A whimsical, marble mosaic border of coffee cups and fruit surrounds the immediate floor area and base. The counter face is covered in a collage of metallic leaf finishes, accented by two backlit windows of floating fruit slices cast in resin. An ebony wood bar rail outlines the main counter, condiment unit and stand-up counters. Custom hand-stenciled fruit images adorn linen lampshades, appearing again on the chair-backs in embroidered trapunto. In contrast, the countertop is a very dense, bright white synthetic stone, and all equipment is of gleaming stainless steel. Hand-rubbed juicy-colored Venetian plasters identify seating and service zones, providing a textured background for spectacular commissioned fruit photography.

After the recent completion of the Congo exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society has turned its attention to enhancing the guest experience with a world-class dining and shopping area. Rockwell Group's design concept for the Bronx Zoo's lakeside food and retail hub is the creation of a memorable experience for its visitors that is integrated into the overall culture of the zoo. The design uses the existing pond, newly inhabited with a flock of dramatic pink flamingos, as the primary feature of the site. Gracefully landscaped entry paths lead visitors into the lakeside area, which totals just under four acres. A series of formally-arranged spaces connects the restaurant, the retail store and several cedar-structured roofed dining pavilions. The new Caf� and Shop help define the main outdoor plaza, which is used for seasonal outdoor dining and events.

Restaurateur Nieporent's concept for his first uptown venture was to emulate two famous Berkeleys of the 1960's: Berkeley, California, and Alice Waters' revolutionary Berkeley restaurant, Chez Panisse. The food is described as �California via Provence and Tuscany�. The design blends elements of 1960's counterculture, such as floor-to-ceiling tie-dyed velvet draperies and colorful swirly-patterned art glass, with modern simplicity and elegance.

The restaurant faces the interior of Sony Plaza, a soaring atrium space within their office building on Madison Avenue and 55th Street. A marble-topped bar extends out into the public atrium, serving baked delicacies in the early morning, and transforming into a bar for late-night private parties. Inside, local business people, tourists and �ladies who lunch� find a refuge from the crowded streets in an atmosphere of warm neutral colors and rich textures. The mohair upholstery, hand-rubbed plaster wall surfaces, and glossy pen-shell mosaic tabletops heighten the sense of elegance, while the bright-colored glass accents and draperies stir in contrast and excitement.

The Official All Star Caf� is a fun-filled sports environment designed to provide the patron with the sense of being at the actual events that are televised throughout the restaurant. The stadium-shaped three-story space, glove-shaped leather-upholstered booths, and prominently displayed sports memorabilia surround people with the physical aspects of a real event, while the state-of-the-art interactive TV and virtual reality video systems heighten their excitement and provide opportunities for real-time participation. Technology as entertainment achieves its greatest success in this destination, in the form of a live DJ/VJ, wall-to-wall as well as overhead video monitors, and choreographed video segments that bookend and link the live sports feeds and celebrity interviews.

The extensive space houses a large race-track-shaped bar, a primary dining area with banquettes upholstered in the local team colors, a VIP dining room seating 50, and retail boutiques on each floor. Unique details include a mini boxing ring for special events, an advertising blimp circling overhead, iconic Olympic torchi�res, and a celebrity locker room featuring players' clothing and equipment. Rockwell Group customized this prototype concept for many other cities, including Atlanta, Miami South Beach, Cancun, and Honolulu.

My involvement included: