International Wood International Wood 2004 | Page 25

“We knew we wanted a Mahogany look.” DAVID BLACK JOHNNY DELMONICOS Johnny Delmonicos is Block 89’s upscale steak joint. Owner Food Fight Inc. considers the property its “crown jewel,” says Flad and Associates architect David Black. “They wanted a formal place, with servers dressed in white jackets, more than one server working each table, a bar that was an integral part of the restaurant, and seating for couples as well as larger groups of business diners. “Our discussions pointed toward an evolved aesthetic, reminiscent of the 1940s. That was an elegant time, a time of unique refinement and sophistication; it was also a time with a lot of wood in architecture.” Black says the challenge of the space’s limited height – 10 feet, six inches – was addressed creatively. “We created a series of domes up in the ceiling, like a 1940s ocean liner would have, with faux skylights illuminated upward. This gave us a greater sense of openness. The ceiling then became very bright and very light, so in keeping with the ocean liner aesthetic we brought in these warm wood walls. “The choice of the African Mahogany was obvious for this space. It gave us a great grain structure, and when you put a catalyzed lacquer finish on it there’s enough porosity to the wood panel itself that you can still get a little of the grain showing through. People know it’s real wood; if we’d chosen another wood the grain might have filled in. Carley, Wood Associates produced a number of samples for us. We knew we wanted a Mahogany look, but it was really Robin’s team that found that African Mahogany was the best species for us because it offered the porosity and the tight range of color we were looking for. They were the ones who really guided us in terms of the technique. “We knew we wanted slip-matched panels rather than a book- matched because we wanted the room to flow all the way around. With book-matched, we would have created a series of symmetries that would stop the eye. Slip-matched creates a visual flow around the space.” P R O J E C T P R O F I L E A large custom crown moulding PROJECT: was used throughout the room, and a Block 89, Madison, Wisconsin series of horizontal metal reveals OWNER/DEVELOPER: separates the wood panels. Urban Land Interests “The metal running along the walls picks up in the foot hardware and the ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS: Valerio Dewalt Train silverware on the tables,” says Black. Bowen Williamson Zimmerman Inc. “You get this great mix of shiny metal, Architecture CSG white tablecloths and server’s jackets, Potter Lawson Inc. and the beautiful warmer tones of the Flad and Associates wood. It has the classic elegance of an MILLWORK CONTRACTOR: ocean liner, with the mystery of a Carley, Wood Associates speakeasy.” IW P.O. Box 380 • 501 Market Street Marcus Hook, PA 9061 USA ten miles south of Philadelphia on I-95 TEL: FAX: [phone] E-MAIL: TOLL FREE: 800-523-4231 [email protected] www.alanmcilvain.com Alan McIlvain Company quality hardwood lumber and custom mouldings since 1798 FSC CERTIFIED: SMARTWOOD-COC-921 Over 5 Million Board Feet of Genuine Mahogany, Spanish Cedar, African Mahogany, Jatoba and Northern Appalachian Hardwoods in Stock IMPORTED WOOD 25