Our starting point was the building’s location itself. We designed with the idea that the building’s interiors would be part of a continuum and that we were adding, modestly, another layer to the LES. During our initial research, we also studied mid-century Italian architect Carlo Scarpa as a model of how to build relevant contemporary architecture in dense, historical urban cores (in his case, Venice). We found we could echo the site’s history by using complexity and layering as a tool. The design palette is evocative of the neighborhood’s age – it is contemporary and will weather well without being overly modern or minimal.

We used rough, textured, monochromatic materials as a background to allow faded colors, furniture, and art to stand out. The program for the lobby derived inspiration from classical elements of civic spaces through the neighborhood and lower Manhattan – the vaulted arch and Gaustivino detailing. We began with a pristine and symmetrical arched form, then adapted it to the different rooms, carving out asymmetric niches to achieve the desired complexity and experience. Innovating the historical form to produce a new form that engages with the lobby’s program captures our method of looking back to move forward.

The use of materials like terrazzo, travertine, and rough plaster further builds on this and the act of pulling various influences together. The 7th floor conveys a similarly layered approach and an awareness of space creation. A feature stair serves as a focal point for the required amenities to organize around. To the north is a co-working area, along with small conference rooms and study carrels. To the south is a flexible lounge, adjacent a kitchen bar. The materials used echo the neighborhood’s history (e.g. the red Brescia stone) but are detailed in a contemporary way.

In the same vein, archival images as well as artworks from local galleries decorate the walls. An interior scheme is stitched together, where some furniture pieces are cutting edge, but also some are reclaimed and vintage. The use of contrasting and disjointed plasters, as seen in the perimeter walls, provides a complex “urban” backdrop to the space as well. A roof deck sits above that allows daylight to flood the heart of the lounge, creating a wonderful play of light and shadow during the day. At the building’s pinnacle, a panoramic vista onto Lower Manhattan offers striking views that embody the way this building is nestled in its exuberant neighborhood and its rich humanity.

The gym’s materiality and detailing evoke some of the neighborhood’s sensibility as well, and simple elements such as datum lines help bring that feeling to life. The design features custom touches, such as the mirrors and light fixtures where we attune the cultural references to the space. In the end, The Suffolk is an un-shiny, often noisy and discordant design. Through a palimpsest of forms, furniture, objects, and art, and a contrast of materials that are at times even cacophonous, we establish new spaces that contribute to the mosaic of the context.

Our view of the Lower East Side is not that it is a time capsule. Over two centuries, it has re-invented itself time and again, with each complex result appealing to a new generation. Our project adds another link in this cultural chain, one that respects the and the familiar and simultaneously anticipates what the future holds. The Suffolk draws from the deeply rooted authenticity of LES to link a vast cultural and social history to the contemporary lifestyles and needs of the residents, encouraging a bond to the outside and the chorus of influences and identities that lie beyond.