'Heart of Hearts' Wins 2016 Times Square Valentine Heart Design

Each year since 2009 Times Square Arts has invited typically young architecture and design firms to submit proposals for "a romantic public art installation" in Father Duffy Square next to the TKTS Booth. Recent installations include Stereotank's "urban tank" last year and Young Project's Match-Maker made of periscopes the year before. Consistent among the winners and entries is the incorporation of the ♥ symbol, a play on Valentine's Day as well as the city's famous I♥NY campaign.

CLOK's "Heart of Hearts" design places two rings – an inner ring and outer ring – of faceted gold hears that lean in to "kiss" near the top. As well the hearts are connected to those on the sides, thereby creating a circular embrace for people to enter for all sorts of things: selfies, hugs, weddings, kisses, dances, and so forth. Whatever takes place inside, outside and between the over-ten-foot-tall hearts will be reflected in the golden surfaces to create the kaleidoscopic effect.

CLOK, which is an architectural collaboration formed by Jon Lott, William O'Brien Jr. and Michael Kubo, beat out the other invited finalists that consisted of BANG Studio, Peterson Rich Office, Sage and Coombe Architects and SLAB Architecture PLC. The winning design will be unveiled on 9 February 2016 and be on display until 6 March 2016.