Private Residence Beekman Place, NYC/Iconic Landmark Penthouse. 4,100 sf.
The quadruplex penthouse is a modernist icon designed and built by renowned architect Paul Rudolph https://paulrudolph.org/paul-rudolph/. Rudolph built the penthouse on top of a historic row house overlooking the East River. The penthouse became Rudolph’s primary residence and design lab, for future ideas. The structure is supported by a steel skeleton containing 27 different floor levels with walls and floors clad in mirror-finish Formica, reflective metal, white marble and lucite, exemplifying an outstanding complexity of light and shadow and enclosure and openness.
This project brief involved designing for both inspirational solo living and also for entertaining. In the spirit of Rudolph's own decoration while he lived in the space, the restrained minimalist interior approach contrasts and softens the industrial with curated collections of sculpture, rugs, textiles, found objects and flora, bringing a living aspect to the otherwise monochromatic palette. Art was also procured. These soft and raw elements juxtaposed to the slick reflective materials, further obscures the line between the exterior and interior, harmoniously evoking a feeling of calm and wonder.
Elizabeth Felicella photographer.