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Susan Ungaro & James Biber - James Beard Foundation

Project: James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Design Awards


The winners of the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant Design Awards were announced recently at a ceremony in Chicago.

Design studios Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Demian Repucci Design and Land and Sea Dept were judged to have created the best restaurant designs or renovations in North America in the past three years.

The first two practices tied for first place in the category for restaurants with 75 seats and under.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop were honoured for their Untitled restaurant at New York’s recently opened Whitney Museum of American Art, created in collaboration with fellow firms Cooper Robertson and Bentel & Bentel. Demian Repucci Design won for their restaurant Bruno, also in New York.

“Bruno is like a stretch limo version of a neighbourhood pizza restaurant,” said James Biber, chair of the Restaurant Design Awards Committee at the James Beard Foundation. “The stripped-down, low-budget design works because of its extreme simplicity and unifying colour. The jurors admired just how much was accomplished with a limited palette and budget.

“Untitled is a part of the much admired new Whitney Museum building, occupying part of the transparent ground floor. It is so transparent that it feels like an outdoor dining room defined by the urban elements surrounding it more than the museum itself. In some ways the opposite of its co-winner Bruno; this is a high budget stripped-down space but with a sense of the grand café.” 

Land and Sea Dept were top in the category for restaurants with 76 seats and over for their design of the Cherry Circle Room in Chicago.

“Cherry Circle Room is a refit of an existing bar space within the historical 19th century Downtown Chicago Athletic Association on Michigan Avenue,” said Biber. “The design manages that careful balancing act between old and new, between clubby and public, and between serious and fun.”

Finally, the James Beard Foundation presented its first ever Design Icon Award to The Four Seasons restaurant in New York.

Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, said: “It was unanimously decided that the Design Icon Award should go to the Four Seasons restaurant. We wanted to celebrate the stunning design by Philip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe. They came up with some great ideas – the metal curtains that have been replicated by so many other restuarants, the grand pool at the centre of the Pool Room, the trees that change with the seasons.. It was a truly one of a kind look.”

The Four Seasons restaurant will be moving to 280 Park Avenue in July, when its lease at the Seagram Building expires.
James Biber is the founder of Biber Architects
James Biber is the founder of Biber Architects / Photo: Saverio Lombardi Vallauri
Renzo Piano’s Untitled restaurant at the Whitney
Renzo Piano’s Untitled restaurant at the Whitney
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design / Photo: Courtesy of Bruno
COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
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Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

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CLAD people
Susan Ungaro & James Biber - James Beard Foundation

Project: James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Design Awards


The winners of the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant Design Awards were announced recently at a ceremony in Chicago.

Design studios Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Demian Repucci Design and Land and Sea Dept were judged to have created the best restaurant designs or renovations in North America in the past three years.

The first two practices tied for first place in the category for restaurants with 75 seats and under.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop were honoured for their Untitled restaurant at New York’s recently opened Whitney Museum of American Art, created in collaboration with fellow firms Cooper Robertson and Bentel & Bentel. Demian Repucci Design won for their restaurant Bruno, also in New York.

“Bruno is like a stretch limo version of a neighbourhood pizza restaurant,” said James Biber, chair of the Restaurant Design Awards Committee at the James Beard Foundation. “The stripped-down, low-budget design works because of its extreme simplicity and unifying colour. The jurors admired just how much was accomplished with a limited palette and budget.

“Untitled is a part of the much admired new Whitney Museum building, occupying part of the transparent ground floor. It is so transparent that it feels like an outdoor dining room defined by the urban elements surrounding it more than the museum itself. In some ways the opposite of its co-winner Bruno; this is a high budget stripped-down space but with a sense of the grand café.” 

Land and Sea Dept were top in the category for restaurants with 76 seats and over for their design of the Cherry Circle Room in Chicago.

“Cherry Circle Room is a refit of an existing bar space within the historical 19th century Downtown Chicago Athletic Association on Michigan Avenue,” said Biber. “The design manages that careful balancing act between old and new, between clubby and public, and between serious and fun.”

Finally, the James Beard Foundation presented its first ever Design Icon Award to The Four Seasons restaurant in New York.

Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, said: “It was unanimously decided that the Design Icon Award should go to the Four Seasons restaurant. We wanted to celebrate the stunning design by Philip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe. They came up with some great ideas – the metal curtains that have been replicated by so many other restuarants, the grand pool at the centre of the Pool Room, the trees that change with the seasons.. It was a truly one of a kind look.”

The Four Seasons restaurant will be moving to 280 Park Avenue in July, when its lease at the Seagram Building expires.
James Biber is the founder of Biber Architects
James Biber is the founder of Biber Architects / Photo: Saverio Lombardi Vallauri
Renzo Piano’s Untitled restaurant at the Whitney
Renzo Piano’s Untitled restaurant at the Whitney
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
The Cherry Circle Room
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design
Bruno was designed by Demian Repucci Design / Photo: Courtesy of Bruno
LATEST NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
UK government cuts VAT on attractions to boost summer visitor economy
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the visitor economy and encourage family days out.
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
Government of Thailand reveals it is courting major theme park operators
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn) entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and economic development strategy.
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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