Thomas Balsley Associates has designed a serene 1,500-square-foot courtyard for the new Intercontinental New York Times Square Hotel. This private, “vest-pocket” park-made up of a series of strategically layered landscape features-is first visible to guests through a window just beyond the check-in desk.
The garden’s sculptural focal point, also designed by Thomas Balsley, is a metallic sapling cluster that accents is Zen-like environment. Situated in front of a translucent, vibrant red-resin panel it, the tree stands above a zero-edge reflecting pool. Subtly concealed LED lighting accents the composition by day and gives the red wall a luminous glow by night.
Other “layers” of the landscape include a series of staggered, sheared boxwood hedges beside a floating stone bench, the bench itself adrift in a white-washed field of river stone that recalls the rock karesansui gardens of Japan. This dynamic landscaped backdrop is set off against a laminated granite wall and a line of tall illuminated bamboo in stainless steel planters.
“The courtyard for the InterContinental is designed to oxygenate the hotel, both literally and figuratively,” says Balsley. “It offers a visual and spiritual retreat to the hotel’s travelers and guests as they retreat from the city’s bustle.”