Flexible Spaces

Michael K Chen Architecture (MKCA) has designed the architectural renovation and interiors of a 4.000-square-foot apartment for a family of five on Park Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The apartment has been reorganized to adapt to the lives of a busy New York family, while preserving and accentuating the inherent grandeur of the space. MKCA reshaped the apartment’s plan to optimize circulation and the seamless transformation of the home from a series of private, independent spaces into an interconnected, spacious landscape where the family of five can gather together as well as entertain guests. This layout hinges on a pinwheel-shaped circulation zone at the apartment’s core, which includes a central elevator landing, formal entrance gallery, and kitchen. Movement through these areas creates multiple opportunities to access the apartment’s living spaces, including the commodious formal living room, dining room/library, den, and bedrooms, all which encircle the core. The doors can be pivoted and slid away, and rooms can be deliberately reconfigured as needed, affording space for the family to spend time together, which they describe as a high priority, while also allowing for independent activities. This strategy is introduced upon entering the apartment from the elevator, where a full-height entry door is engineered to be held open on its pivoting hinge, and a wall between the entrance vestibule and kitchen is designed to slide away, creating free circulation around the elevator core.

“The regulated fluidity of circulation allows for sprawl across multiple rooms, while also celebrating and activating the formal gallery space, which is such a hallmark of a classic Park Avenue apartment.”

In the kitchen, a muscular island with hefty stone legs is set against ribbed walnut paneling. Its worktop - a mix of Cristallo and Ice Grey marble, blends perfectly with the rest of the room . Above it, a “Coax” pendant by John Hogan for Roll and Hill has been placed while some black stools with gold finishes give a touch of elegance.

In keeping with MKCA’s overarching practice, the studio has designed and commissioned custom furniture across the home, with each piece bolstering the project’s emphasis on mutability, tactility, and elegance. Particular emphasis is placed on the dining room and library fused into one. The furniture anchoring this room transforms depending on the scenario: the banquette breaks apart into chairs, a custom chandelier by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio swivels, and the dining table expands. The latter is the result of an ongoing collaboration between MKCA and Christopher Kurtz, the Hudson Valley-based sculptor and designer. The piece features an undulating, carved aluminum top fused to a rippling underlayer and base in oxidized cherry.

“Porosity between the dining area/library and living room means that people slip in and out of the rooms with ease. It’s a space for casual family meals, reading, hanging out, playing games; and it’s also a space for dramatic, largescale, formal entertaining.”

Through the folding doors, the dining room leads to the living room. Here, Kurtz’s custom carved wood sconces are enveloped within the thickened wall around the fireplace and glow gently through an integrated LED array. While the game tables and chairs resemble stacks of “pebbles” made from a mix of woods (oak, walnut, maple, cherry) and metals (aluminum and bronze). These are paired with a “Merrick” daybed by MKCA covered in a graphic chenille by Castel, a custom sofa by KGBL, covered in a Holland and Sherry wool jacquard, and "Tsunami" coffee table in heat treated steel and glass by Kin & Company. Additionally, a pair of vintage Gio Ponti stools and a customised "Fracture" rug by Fernando Mastrangelo through Edward Fields accent the space.

Across the residence, each of MKCA’s architectural and interior interventions point back to the project’s original motivation: to transform the space into a fluid, elegant modern home while also making daring architectural and aesthetic choices. As for example, the media room is characterized by the use of dark tones and eccentric details. The walls have a “Kintsugi” wall covering hand painted by Porter Teleo in a dark blue-gray color with gold pigments. Thanks to two large windows, natural light is guaranteed. The furniture is marked by soft curves like the L-shaped sofa by Poliform. In the center of the room, a customized MKCA pouf in leather, walnut and glass was placed. Above it, we find Bec Brittain's “Maxihedron” hanging pendant for Roll and Hill. Another ambiance with an amazing design is the powder room where a stone vanity in figural Cassiopeia marble is the protagonist. In additional, MKCA have made an interesting architectural choice by making the curved Venetian plaster walls with LED cove lighting. The design is completed with opulent lighting from Lindsey Adelman's 2 gold-trimmed wall lights and a custom Kin and Company bronze mirror.

“From the very beginning, these were clients who asked us to take them outside of their comfort zone. The couple had very clear ideas about how they wanted to live, and how certain rooms should function, but were interested in an approach and an aesthetic that was more adventurous and expressive, but not kooky.”

In the main bedroom, silk and sisal wallcoverings join a custom upholstered bed in walnut and boucle and a custom silk carpet, both designed by MKCA. The draperies are made from a custom loomed textile in wool, silk, and mohair by Hiroko Takeda. Articulated brass reading lighting by Gentner Design with its curves, is a very interesting detail in this room. Near to the window, we find the lounge chair sourced from Studio Twenty-Seven, covered in Loro Piana olive oil colored silk velvet, and wool boucle from Elitis. The en-suite bathroom has also the warm tones: it is enveloped in rosy Venetian plaster, pink Byzantine onyx, and Calacatta Vagli Rosato marble.

For the teenage children, a playroom has been reserved where they can spend time together. It's a hangout zone and TV space, with hand-printed wallcovering and a graphic carpet with a custom shape. Comfortable and modern seats were crucial in the choice of furnishings: a deep blue sofa by Hem and the vibrant lounge chair and poufs by Moroso. A hidden door has also been inserted leading to the laundry.