Times Square Arts and Jürgen Mayer H. inaugurated XXX Times Square With Love, three X-shaped outdoor loungers custom designed for Times Square, each of which can accommodate up to four people who can literally lie back, stare up and send a snapshot of either themselves of the mix of signs and sky above them.

Originally inspired by the "X"-like intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue that forms Times Square, the loungers are the first specially-commissioned ongoing street furniture for the new Times Square plazas. 

Image © JMayerH

Image © JMayerH

Each “X” of “XXX Times Square With Love” can accommodate up to four people, with each leg of the “X” serving as an almost-horizontal lounger that allows people to lie down and enjoy a totally different, and more leisurely, perspective than the bustling plazas of Times Square.  

They can chill with a book from the new Strand book kiosk or, using the hashtag #TSqXXX, they can share their love on social media, tag friends, and send them “XXX Times Square With Love!”

Image © Marsha Ginsberg/TSqArts

The unveiling took place on Wednesday, August 24th at 11:00 am on the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd and 44th streets.   

"Lying down on XXX allows for a completely different perception of Times Square and its media presence. The view goes vertical while you are broadcast via many of the public webcams of Times Square looking down on you. And besides your new perspective on the skyline, you might want to snap a selfie of yourself relaxing to share your XXX with friends and family,'' said Jüergen Mayer H.

Image © Rob Kassabian/RK Films

Kevin Davey, Principal Creative Strategies of UAP North America, said, ''Jürgen’s amazing design required the fabrication of comfortable, precise elements, that people could lay in, while being suitable for the Times Square environment. Durability and beauty go hand in hand and cannot be compromised. UAP (Urban Art Projects) is excited and grateful to have worked with Jürgen, his team, and all at Times Square.''

Image © Rob Kassabian/RK Films

Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance, said, ''Mayer H. delivered for us a striking and original street furniture design that not only references Times Square’s X-rated history, but also offers users a very different way of looking at and sharing a place that, on average, is posted on Instagram no fewer than 17,000 times a day. 

In pedestrian plazas that can be overwhelming at times, XXX offers a clever and calming way to experience them that is new, while referencing the old.''

Image © Rob Kassabian/RK Films

Sherry Dobbin, Times Square Arts Director, said, ''Mayer H. is at the fore of architecture and design that references our historic identity and suggests a contemporary way to engage with our public spaces embracing our relationship to technology.  He has given us a way to drink in the signs and presents a view of the office-workers and hotel guests in the towers above.  Why would we want ordinary street furniture in the futuristic landscape of Times Square?''

Image © Rob Kassabian/RK Films

XXX Times Square With Love is an ongoing addition to our streetscape and perfect for taking in the good weather. 

Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with contemporary artists and cultural institutions to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places. Through the Square's electronic billboards, public plazas, vacant areas and popular venues, and the Alliance's own online landscape, Times Square Arts invites leading contemporary creators to help the public see Times Square in new ways. 

Image © Rob Kassabian/RK Films

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

Times Square has always been a place of risk, innovation and creativity, and the Arts Program ensures these qualities remain central to the district's unique identity. Generous support of Times Square Arts is provided by ArtPlace America and ArtWorks. 

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

J. MAYER H. was founded in 1996 by Juergen Mayer H. in Berlin. Juergen Mayer H. studied at Stuttgart University, The Cooper Union and Princeton University. His work has been published and exhibited worldwide and is part of numerous collections including MoMA New York and SF MoMA and also private collections. 

National and international awards include the Mies van der Rohe Award, emerging architect, special mention 2003; Holcim Award, winner Europe bronze 2005 and Audi Urban Future Award, winner 2010. 

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

Juergen Mayer H. has taught at Princeton University, University of the Arts Berlin, Harvard University, Kunsthochschule Berlin, the Architectural Association in London, the Columbia University, New York and at the University of Toronto, Canada. 

He is member of the advisory boards at Princeton University Architecture School, The Bauhaus Stiftung Dessau, Flussbad Berlin e.V. and Make Shift Architecture Festival Berlin 2015. 

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

Image © J. Mayer H. und Partner, Architekten

New York Times Square. Image courtesy of Times Square Arts Alliance

Project Facts

Project: 2015-2106

Date: August 2016,

Location: Times Square Pedestrian Plaza

Client: Times Square Arts

Architect: J. MAYER H. und Partner, Architekten

Partner in charge: Jürgen Mayer H.

Project architect: Wilko Hoffmann

Project team: Paul Konrad, Mi Na Bae, Fabrizio Silvano

Top image © JMayerH

> via J. MAYER H. und Partner, Architekten