the duo
“From Dawn to Dusk, indulge in the captivating selection of our flavorful espressos & imaginative cocktails at our coffee and bar DUO.”
As the Project Manager for the Duo Project, I provided comprehensive leadership, partnering closely with the design team to guide the process from brand inception to the successful space buildout. My responsibilities included managing the intricate coordination of interior design development, architectural and engineering collaboration, and construction oversight to ensure seamless execution. Furthermore, I worked alongside PR teams to develop compelling narratives that captured the essence of the brand, showcasing the unmatched expertise of Design Next Agency.
About
Project Lead
Copywriting
Photography & Editing
Construction Project Management
PR Relations
What was possible?
THE
DUO
WRITTEN PR SAMPLEA dynamic day-to-night café and bar at 36-20 Main St, Queens, NY. Spanning 1,070 square feet, this new coffee shop offers Flushing locals a fresh, adaptable experience that seamlessly transitions from a cozy café by day to a lively cocktail bar by night.
Tasked with maximizing the 30-ft ceilings, the designers initially proposed an upper level for additional seating. When the landlord declined, the team embraced the challenge, seizing an opportunity to make creative use of the expansive vertical space within budget. Looking upward, the blank canvas above called for something dramatic that would complement the brand's elegant cocktail atmosphere at night. The design team envisioned a floating, twisting glass sculpture resembling a dragon in flight—a striking centerpiece designed to captivate.
“The dragon isn’t just decorative—it’s a dynamic light source that shifts with the time of day, setting the tone for a seamless transition from café to bar.”
The team developed a custom glass dragon installation with color-changing LED lights, allowing the brand's ambiance to shift effortlessly from day to night. Each glass segment, weighing over 80 pounds, was suspended with reinforced steel wire, while a gridded floor guide helped align each piece with precision. The installation’s tubular LED lights adjust in color and intensity, blending subtly by day and becoming a vibrant focal point by night. Designed with care and creativity, this unique feature resonates with the local’s young, social-media-savvy crowd, giving the brand a memorable and distinctive identity.
The design blends stainless steel, brown leather, gray boucle, and light oak wood for a contemporary yet inviting feel. Mirrored panels play a key role, enhancing the sense of space and reflecting the changing light throughout the day, adding depth and energy to the ambiance. Matte black accents provide contrast, emphasizing the venue’s adaptable day-to-night transformation.
The space features a dual-bar design, with a quick-service coffee bar at the front for a morning rush, while the back transforms into a cocktail bar with a mirrored effect, creating a vibrant, immersive atmosphere. This setup accommodates a range of patrons, from solo workers enjoying a quiet morning coffee to groups gathering for evening drinks.
“ A custom, glass-blown, dragon installation gracefully soars through the air, offering guests at ‘The Duo’ a unique and memorable experience.
This newly opened bar, situated in the heart of Flushing, on Main Street, brings a chic touch to Queens that is new & refreshing for its residents.”
(design brief, copywriting sample)