eventdesign

An illuminated sign for the project marked the entrance, guiding guests into the empty warehouse space that served as the site for the event.

The "Experiments in Motion" exhibit—a partnership between Audi of America and Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture—comprised a 45-foot-long steel model of the Manhattan subway grid and colorful projections of real-time movement in Manhattan. The piece stood near the event's entrance.

As a nod to the future home of the underground park, the organizers invited notable Lower East Side food vendors, such as the Pickle Guys, to serve their eats during the cocktail reception.

As an event sponsor, Absolut served the "Absolut Lowline" drink at the bar, which itself was made of old barn siding.

The cocktail hour also included bites from Sigmund's Pretzels, as well as smoked salmon from Russ & Daughters and pastrami from Katz's.

Interspersed with candlesticks and votives, rustic floral arrangements of potted herbs decorated the reclaimed wood communal tables for the dinner.

Moss-filled mason jars served as table numbers.

Ice cream sandwiches and gelato were served for dessert, provided by Lower East Side food vendors Melt and Il Laboratorio del Gelato.