Winner:
Excellence Awards for Interior, Interior Decorating, Natural Beauty and Craftsmanship and Achievement Award for Exterior
2005 Annual Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Building Awards

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

Phase 1 was the renovation of the bar area and Phase 2 was the reconstruction of the main dining room. Architect David L. Businelli, AIA of Studio 16 Architecture was commissioned by the owners to design a new dining room that took full advantage of the spectacular view of Great Kills Harbor and natural light. The architects designed a double curved roof profile to echo the waves in the harbor and to let in north light through clerestory windows. These windows also function as natural ventilation sources. The interior, designed in collaboration with Alexandra Fernandez of DNA Design Group utilizes mahogany to reference yacht interiors, and tensile fabric sails that reference the adjacent marina and add continuity of concept with the bar. The colors of blue and silver highlight the space and complete the references to the sea. Sunlight is used as a material; its quality changes with the time of day and the weather, giving the dining room many different moods. Exterior materials are white aluminum composite panels and silver anodized aluminum.

Nikiomahe Architecture and Design News - Marina Cafe Dining Room in New York, March 17th, 2008