5 minute read
AC Atelier
The AC Atelier is a Chicago based multi-disciplinary firm founded by Amy Cassell and developing projects across the United States and internationally. For Cassell, starting a practice that specialises in both architecture and design came naturally.
“I was educated as an architect but fell in love with interiors early in my career, so the practice has always been multi-disciplinary. For us, the architecture is the foundation; once that is right, the interiors come easily. From a client’s perspective, there is a simplicity with one point of contact throughout the project.”
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The studio is very versatile, handling a variety of projects, from residential to commercial to institutional and even repurposing a car collection space, The Vintage Automobile Gallery.
“This was a unique brief: an office suitable for entertaining, having overnight guests, and storing/displaying a significant vintage motorcar collection. Additionally, we were repurposing a space that was once a printing warehouse, which made this even more of a remarkably interesting project. The finished product is ultimately a gallery of vintage automobiles, viewed behind a wall of glass and steel panels. These cars capture the essence of their time and are still celebrated today for their elegant design and incredible machinery.
We wanted to take a similar approach to the interior. The interior needed to support business meetings for eight, as well as convert to an entertaining space. At the center is a sunken bar, allowing one to sit there with an unobstructed view of the collection. In addition, there is a media space that can turn into a bedroom for overnight guests, as well as a hidden shower and storage for luggage. We wanted to keep the industrial loft feel of the original warehouse space. Brick walls, wood ceilings and beams were all recreated to appear as the original (local codes prevented us from exposing the actual original materials). The industrial feel was further carried through with pale oak floors, steel mesh “drapery”, rough-hewn cabinetry and stone, accented with stainless steel. The enduring stylish lines of the vintage automobiles served as inspiration for the furnishings, carbon grey textured paper with “rivets”, black tire tread-like leather for the bar stools, and metal tables and consoles.
The gallery space itself is clad with insulated panels used for large scale food refrigeration facilities, providing the needed insulation but also cleanability (to ease oil clean ups and the like.) We replaced the original wood columns with steel in the gallery to allow more space between the columns to manoeuvre the collection. The artwork was also inspired by the vintage collection: there are photographs by Michael Furman, renowned vintage car photographer, of French made cars including Delahaye, Dubonnet and Bugatti, celebrating the client’s French heritage and love of vintage racing cars.”
Creating a more nuanced, individual, or even traditional look in the context of today’s overarching aesthetic for streamlined contemporary buildings and interiors is both a challenge and an opportunity for architects and designers.
“We are not predisposed to one style or the other, rather we wish to create spaces that embody the inspirations and passions of our clients. Our residential clients want their homes to be individual, warm, and inviting, whether they prefer a contemporary or a more traditional style. Many have had experience with commercial design in their offices and want a different feel and process. Our presentation process for a residence is distinctly different, focusing on fully rendered elevations of each space, complete with accessories, flowers, and art to convey a fully finished interior, along with well fitted out material palettes focused on luxurious fabrics that can meet demanding (dare I say commercial) standards, but are beautiful first and foremost.
While the connection to the outdoors is important, it is more often about light and view than actual spaces which tend to be high maintenance. Many of our clients subscribing to a contemporary aesthetic start with a blank canvas: everything in the home is new, from the furnishings to the art and accessories. Our more traditional leaning clients are often bringing a collection,
furniture, art, or other, which they want us to update so that it feels fresh again. Whether that is designing a dedicated space, or reworking the collection into a more celebrated contemporary look, the goal is to refresh and give it new life.
Our corporate clients look for a design that supports the brand, attracts potential employees, and creates a stimulating working environment. Outdoor space is an important benefit, especially in urban settings. We spend a lot of time with corporate clients working through the integration of outdoor amenities.
We think of the process as an opportunity to create a space that is unique to clients and supports their aspirations.”
On “smart”, automated and robotics-optimized spaces “The pandemic has only confirmed that flexibility within our spaces is a priority. The ability to dedicate a room for a particular function is critical to the new privacy requirements of remote working and learning. We have utilized large sliding panels concealed within walls; rotating bookshelves; hidden doors, and even acoustic drapery panels to create flexible spaces. The integration of new technology has greatly expanded this flexibility: our smallest dressing rooms now incorporate workout equipment concealed behind mirrors; media rooms become conference rooms with transforming tables that extend from coffee tables to conference tables; dining tables are integrated with table lamps and channels for plugging in. The smart home today starts at the most fundamental level: energy efficiency is primary in every project, from lighting to mechanical systems, plumbing and appliances, to windows and doors. Then the focus is on controls, the rise of apps controlling everything in our home has created a simplicity and eliminated duplicative inefficient proprietary systems. From our modest residential renovations to the most complex projects, creating homes that provide flexible spaces and efficient use of technology is integral to the success of the project.”
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