New York University

Department of Social and Cultural Analysis

New York, NY

NYU’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis houses the activities of six diverse yet converging programs that seek ways to connect intellectual inquiry with lived experience. So when students and faculty needed a new space designed it called for a novel approach. The design by Lewis Architects locates faculty offices at the perimeter of the space, yet carves away the offices at strategic locations.

Supporting this plan, Xibitz worked under the guidance of graphics consultant Design360 to ensure this would be no ordinary academic setting. Among the Xibitz contributions are environmental graphics in many forms. Brightly colored, custom-fabricated acrylic boxes are inserted through the walls between the offices and corridors, text along the conference and meeting rooms is vinyl on glass but becomes 3-D as it spills over the sill. Printed 3-Form panels slide along a track to separate conference and common rooms as desired.

The overall result: A Best of Year Merit Award, Educational, from Interior Design.