Andrew Kotchen and Matthew Berman, principals of the 25-person firm
L’Apicio
New York, New York
Workshop/apd placed a private dining room in the center of this restaurant located in a new mixed-use building to break up the massive space and create a more human scale. Open shelving offers glimpses in and out of the space, so private parties feel separate from but still engaged with the action in the larger restaurant. Large and small-scale pendant lights also help make the space feel more intimate.
Upper East Side Apartment
New York, New York
Prior to its conversion into a second floor apartment, this space housed more than a dozen doctors’ offices. The building’s many original windows allowed for the creation of a light-filled residence. Travertine floors and built-ins throughout give the space a luxurious, spare feel, where possessions can easily be tucked away and art and objects are highlighted. The firm teamed up with KA Design Group to finish the interiors.
Farm Cottage
North Salem, New York
The architects are cladding this guesthouse, gym, and spa on the grounds of an upstate horse farm in Corten, creating a balance between tactile materials and simplified forms. Some panels are laser cut to create screens and openings for widows, producing a varied experience of light and shadow, transparency and opacity. The interior is spare and serene with custom fabricated stairs and lighting. A concrete connecting bridge and carport add contrast and weight to the composition.
Studio Retreat
Chappaqua, New York
Nestled on a wooded hillside between two large boulders, this tiny retreat is an ideal spot to read, paint, or play music. A large bank of floor to ceiling glass opens onto a generous deck. Inside, midcentury pieces by Noguchi and Saarinen mix with contemporary furniture and art, creating a sophisticated contrast to the natural palette of Ipe and walnut.
Soho Storefronts
New York, New York
Recently approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, this plan for a series of existing storefronts, for Zar Properties, on Greene Street simplifies and opens them up for more light and display area, while respecting the historic massing and window patterns of the buildings. Custom fabricated filigree grills draw on the imagery of the cast-iron district and new display cases make space for rotating public art.
