Ikon New York

IKON New York is a Dominican Peruvian restaurant designed to transition into a vibrant lounge in the evening. The client wanted a space that felt warm and welcoming during dining hours while also supporting a lively nightlife atmosphere later at night.

Tirso Pelaez was the interior designer tasked with bringing this vision to life. In addition to the interior design, Tirso also designed the lighting, audio, and video systems so that technology and architecture would work together to shape the atmosphere and enhance the overall guest experience.

The installation process for the sound system at IKON New York began with evaluating the equipment that already existed in the venue. The client requested that the system be repurposed rather than replaced, so Tirso Pelaez re engineered the layout to improve performance and coverage. For the high to mid frequencies the system uses FBT Ventis 206A loudspeakers, while the low frequencies are handled by Yorkville PSA2S subwoofers.

The original placement of the speakers did not provide even sound coverage across the room. The system was re-layed out and repositioned so that audio would be distributed evenly throughout the venue without overpowering certain areas. This was particularly important because the space operates as both a restaurant and a nightlife lounge. Another important part of the installation was integrating the subwoofers into raised platforms so they would not occupy valuable floor space.

This approach allowed the system to deliver strong low frequency performance while keeping the layout clean and functional. Careful planning ensured that the speaker placement supported both the acoustic performance of the room and the overall design of the space, creating a balanced listening experience for guests throughout the venue.

The lighting system was designed to support both the restaurant atmosphere and the venue’s transition into a nightlife lounge. Tirso Pelaez developed a layered lighting approach that combines architectural lighting with intelligent lighting so the venue can shift mood throughout the evening.

Architectural lighting was carefully integrated into the design to create a warm dining environment. Tirso Lighting RGBW linear LED lighting was installed within the banquette seating along the perimeter of the room. This lighting casts a soft glow underneath the seating and also illuminates the back of the banquettes.

The upward glow highlights key architectural elements including the zebra fade wall on one side of the venue and an exposed brick wall on the other, helping to create depth and warmth within the space. Additional architectural lighting includes ceiling cove lighting and WAC track lighting that provide balanced illumination across the dining areas.

Custom lighting elements were also introduced to reinforce the identity of the venue. Custom RGBWWA wall sconces were fabricated and installed along the columns to accent the stainless steel tile finishes and add texture to the space. Custom LED neon signage was also incorporated to create social media photo moments and strengthen the visual identity of the brand within the interior design.

For the nightlife environment, the venue uses a Chauvet DJ intelligent lighting system. Fixtures include the Chauvet DJ Intimidator Spot 475Z, Intimidator Spot 260X, Intimidator Beam 360X, Shocker Panel 180, and Corepar 120. These moving heads, beam fixtures, strobes, and wash lights allow the venue to quickly transition from a warm dining setting to a high energy lounge atmosphere.

The intelligent lighting fixtures were coordinated around a ceiling installation of more than 300 mirror balls in different sizes. This layout was carefully planned to allow the moving lights to operate freely while reflecting light across the space. All lighting fixtures are controlled through an Obsidian Controls Onyx system, allowing the venue to change lighting scenes instantly depending on the atmosphere desired.

The video system at IKON New York was designed to function as both a visual feature and a flexible display system that enhances the overall atmosphere of the venue. Tirso Pelaez carefully planned the placement and scale of the LED displays so they would integrate naturally into the interior design while maintaining clear visibility from seating areas throughout the space.

The installation includes a combination of P2 and P2.5 LED displays located throughout the venue. The focal point of the system is a custom curved LED screen installed behind the main bar, which acts as a visual centerpiece for the room. The curved display adds depth to the bar area and allows digital content to flow naturally across the surface.

The video system is used for multiple types of content including graphics, promotional visuals, and live programming. The displays also support celebration announcements and guest engagement moments. Using the 036Labs platform, staff can quickly convert text messages into on screen announcements that appear across the LED displays, allowing the venue to easily recognize birthdays and special occasions in real time.

All video content is managed through Resolume Arena, allowing the venue to control visual content across the displays and coordinate with the lighting system to create a cohesive atmosphere throughout the venue.

One of the main challenges during the installation at IKON New York was coordinating the placement of audio, lighting, and video systems within a space that was also heavily driven by interior design elements.

Tirso Pelaez approached the project by developing the entire layout in a detailed 3D environment before installation began. This allowed every technical element, including speakers, lighting fixtures, LED displays, furniture layout, and architectural features, to be carefully planned so that the installation would support the overall design rather than interfere with it.

A major visual feature of the venue is the ceiling installation of more than 300 mirror balls in different sizes. Installing these elements required a mounting solution that allowed flexibility and precision. To achieve this, stainless steel aircraft cable and cable grippers were used so each mirror ball could be adjusted in height.

This provided the ability to fine tune the installation quickly while ensuring the layout remained visually balanced and did not obstruct the movement of the intelligent lighting fixtures. Through detailed planning, coordination, and the use of 3D modeling, the installation process was able to deliver a venue where design and technology work together seamlessly.

IKON New York demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when technology and design are planned together from the very beginning. Every element of the venue was considered as part of one unified experience, allowing lighting, sound, visuals, architecture, and interior design to support each other rather than compete for attention.

This approach created a space that naturally adapts to different moments throughout the night. Guests experience a warm and inviting restaurant atmosphere that can smoothly evolve into a vibrant lounge environment without the space ever feeling forced or disconnected.

By carefully coordinating design, technology, and installation, the project delivers a cohesive environment where the systems enhance the mood, energy, and overall guest experience. The result is a venue where technology does not stand out as equipment, but instead becomes part of the identity and atmosphere of the space.