TKTS, which was opened on 16th October 2008 by Mayor Bloomberg, began in 1999 with an international competition to re-design the popular TKTS booth at the centre of Times Square.

While the brief simply requested designs for a small-scale architectural structure to replace the existing ticket booth, our entry reframed the competition, believing that the brief was one requiring an urban design response. Our approach thought beyond the functionality of just a ticketing booth, noticing that not one of NewYork city’s great gathering points had a place for people to sit and enjoy the passing show of urban theatre, both literally and metaphorically. There was no iconic arrival marker, no picture postcard to leave with.

Thus, our design terraces public domain upward as a series of tiered red translucent slabs, which forms much needed seating, and houses the new booth underneath.

Giving the plan further potency, the tiered seating is lit from below which uses the whole staircase to glow at night, strengthening the presence of TKTS in such a visually charged context that is Times Square. Not only does the structure create an iconic meeting point in itself, but it also forms the backdrop for the nearby statue of Father Duffy. Importantly, it forms a new public space where TKTS clients and visitors alike can pause to sit and take in the ‘theatre’ of Times Square.

The concept was developed and progressed to construction by architects Perkins Eastman (responsible for the booth) and PKSBArchitects (responsible for the plaza). Through their input the concept evolved to become an exceptional bespoke glass structure sitting on an expanded open plaza.

Stakeholders and government agencies such as Theatre Development Fund, Times Square Alliance, Coalition for Father Duffy and City of New York united behind the concept with the common belief that the project would make a difference.

The TKTS booth has become an iconic marker of Times Square, proving its purpose of becoming both a meeting point and sitting area for the pedestrians of New York City, while strengthening TKTS’ position as a New York cultural institution, being featured in music videos, tv and film alike.

The project has been widely acclaimed for the way in which the design provides public and private benefits while simultaneously strengthening the essentialcharacter of Times Square.

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