On this overhaul of a “grand but shabby” apartment near Washington Square Park, Agencie collaborated with Milanese decorators Studio Peregalli and visionary client Hamish Bowles, International Editor at Large of Vogue Magazine. Agencie was the executive architect and project manager. The renovation transformed the gloomy apartment into a stately roomscape. It incorporated a palladian arch, coved stair and faux-marble skirting panel.
To evoke 18th century France and early 19th century Britain, the millwork was custom built to resemble broken pediments by carpenters in Milan. A high damask frieze was installed above the pediments to draw the eye up to the dramatic ceiling. The client found a Lousi XVI boiserie pinewood panel at Sotheby’s in Paris. This was incorporated into the millwork and an exact copy was replicated on the opposing side of the room. The simulacrum provided balance and symmetry to the room.
"On site, the endlessly patient Andrés Cortés of Agencie proved a stalwart accomplice, helping navigate the idiosyncrasies of Manhattan's building codes, with their sometimes blood-boilingly irrational dictates, carefully managing the nail-biting timings, and steering the industrious crew of cheerful Chinese builders whose solutions were always artisanal and whose steady progress made my heart skip on each daily visit."
Our close coordination through drawings and web conferencing meant the Roberto and Laura of Studio Peregalli only had to visit the site twice. The layout was also manipulated to create a new bathroom, a magnificent walk-in closet and some extra storage areas.
Type
Design Build Residence
Executive Architect
Project Manager
House of Hamish, Mr Bowles Majestic Manhattan Pad:
World of Interiors, November 2014
Design Architect:
Studio Peregalli, Milan Italy
Photography:
Simon Upton
Andrés Cortés, AIA
Bojan Rapaic
Benjamin Loeffler