The Library Discotheque - Barbizon Plaza Hotel, New York, NY (1974)
Designed by Raymond C. Perko, Inc.
"The concept for the Barbizon Plaza's new Library Discotheque was, of course developed with tongue-in-cheek: regardless of signage cautioning, "No Dancing" and "No Drinking," liberal engagement in both activities is not only expected but encouraged; despite instructions demanding "Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!," nightly at nine all hell breaks loose.
Covering 2,240 square feet, the installation's two levels were the happy result of an unexpected difference of elevation discovered when the designers broke through the walls between the cocktail lounge and the drugstore which formerly occupied the space. The resulting additional ceiling height greatly eased the placement of the row of 2'-x 4' audio-visual screens which abut the ceiling, and upon which are projected a series of images related to music controlled from an elaborate disk jockey's console adjacent to the bar. Music volume level is high only over the dance floor to permit conversation in the seating areas, which include both conventional table seating and perimeter lounge seating, with emphasis on the latter.
The installation is intended to appeal, the designer explains, "less to the teen-aged crowd than to the relatively affluent young-executive group," and while the disco-theque/library juxtaposition is meant to be amusing, the library element is not entirely a joke. The books which line the walls are not merely decorative: in addition to current best sellers, they include volumes covering a full range of topics, and Library card holders (there is no charge) may borrow books for up to two weeks.
The idea for the Library (there are several similar installations either completed or under construction around the country) was conceived by Jack Bishop of JOB Enterprises. The hotel is managed by Lambert Brussels Real Estate Corporation; architectural consultants for The Library were Goldstone & Goldstone."
It appears from some research that other Library Discotheques opened in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Syracuse
Scanned from the Oct. 1974 issue of Interior Design Magazine
