Elie Tahari acquired a former Manufacturer's Hanover Trust Company building and commissioned Highland Associates and Lissoni Associati to convert it into his new design studio. The building was originally designed in 1954 by Gordon Bunschaft and stood apart from others because of its landmarked curtain wall of crystal-clear glass sheets. The goal for the 15,000-square-foot area was to design a studio based on the origins of the building.
Some details were restored and others were created. The beige linen curtains that cover the glass walls and the translucent, corrugated, acrylic ceiling panels were brought back from the original design. New, off-white terrazzo is used as flooring through out the space. An Erwin Hauer sculptural screen is the main architectural feature. The screen was derived from a 1950's version and separates the space without dividing it.
It was important for the studio to have a lot of light and few shadows. The objective was for the space to be like a walk-in light box. To achieve this, the fitting rooms, conference rooms and offices were pushed to the perimeter behind a glass storefront system. This design allows light to travel all over the studio.
Mid-century furniture completes the retro aesthetic of the studio. This space proves that modernism can be inviting and beautiful.
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