Beginning Friday, April 4, the 50-foot rooftop dome at Hi-Lawn above Union Market will debut its spring installation, Bloomroom—a six-week immersive experience blending large-scale floral projections, seasonal dining, and botanical-inspired cocktails. The installation follows the dome’s previous winter concept, Snowglow, and marks the latest in a series of seasonal transformations designed to make use of the rooftop structure’s capacity for visual and culinary programming.
This season’s visual centerpiece is a 90-minute projected art show created by Washington, DC native and internationally recognized artist Chris Pyrate. Known for his recurring use of cherry blossoms and floral motifs, Pyrate has expanded his artistic approach with a series of animated projections that surround the dome’s interior. Developed in collaboration with Australian digital artist Laura Alice, the show begins in Washington, DC and follows a global route through flower markets, natural landscapes, and urban gardens, touching on places such as the tulip fields of Holland, the neon-lit vines of Melbourne, the rainforests of Costa Rica, and the historical origins of the cherry blossom in Asia.
The dome itself has been outfitted with thousands of suspended flowers, large floral structures, and decorative market-inspired installations. Guests will move through archways and displays referencing various international regions, including Mediterranean wildflowers, South American roses, and both DC and Japanese cherry blossoms.
Food and drink offerings have been developed to reflect the visual theme. The cocktail menu includes spring-inspired options such as gin and tonics infused with butterfly pea flower, grapefruit, or herbs like thyme and sage. Other drinks incorporate ingredients like yuzu, lavender, and cassis. One featured item, the Cherry Blossom Float, is made with chocolate-cherry ice cream from The Creamery, located in the Union Market building, and can be served with or without alcohol.
The food menu, created by chefs Nathan Beauchamp and Sam George, includes small plates such as hibiscus-cured salmon tartine, crispy shrimp with sweet chili, and dishes incorporating edible flowers, seasonal vegetables, and globally-influenced flavors. Additional offerings include arancini with English peas, chicken Milanese, and a dessert of berries with sabayon.
The Bloomroom installation will be open Wednesday through Sunday through May 18, with timed seatings ranging from early evening to late night on weekdays and extended hours on weekends. Tickets, priced at $35 per person, include entry to the dome and a reserved seat for the 90-minute experience. Food and drinks are available for purchase separately. Reservations can be made through Resy, and additional information is available at thedomedc.com.
Chris Pyrate, whose work has been previously covered by WI Bridge, will be featured in an upcoming interview discussing the development of this project and its connections to his broader artistic practice.
