To sit on a hill and read a book or watch a show. The word ‘hill’ seems to denote some sort of nature setting. Not necessarily so, according to HWKN- try on top of a building in NYC. As part of the BMW Mini Brand’s ‘Creative Use of Space’ campaign, an inner-city rooftop has been transformed from leftover to location.
A collection of separate functional elements are fitted together within a set grid. A grassy hill with ‘seating dimples’ is, along with a stage planted under an existing billboard, are two major eye-catching features of the scheme. Also included are a multi-coloured lighting tower for iconography as much as space lighting, and a panorama bar which overlooks the Hudson River. Imbedded within the floor is a mate to the light tower- an LED carpet. This is programmable, enabling the creation of a sort of ‘horizontal billboard’.
photography by © Kai Nakamura
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.