Intended as a pied-a-terre,
the open plan design was fashioned from a one-bedroom apartment by removing two
walls. A conventional galley kitchen wall with its obligatory pass-thru was
transformed into a large service bar containing basic kitchen facilities, while
the bedroom wall was replaced by two retractable curtains - a sheer and opaque
one. Mirrors at opposite ends of the new main space offer repeated reflections of
midtown views.
The owner, a South American financier, comes to New York whenever he has time
and usually on short notice. The space must function like a tailor-made hotel
room, with extensive closets and built-ins that have a place for everything
making it easy to keep organized.
The visual character has been influenced by the owners’ taste for South
American modernism, Brazilia. The floor and counters are white marble,
including the bath and storage areas. All interior doors are frosted glass,
introducing a subtle green tint to the all white interior. The most striking
feature is the ceiling catenary curved canopy, which diffuse light and conceal
a surround-sound speaker system. This whole structure is also reflected in the
mirrors, which extend its already linear design and make it a companion to the
repeated city panorama.