The Suffolk
Gotham Organization
CLIENT
Lower East Side, NY
LOCATION
OVERVIEW
As with many of JGNA’s projects, the design began with a photographic survey. Neukomm walked the length of Broome Street. Neukomm’s lens focused on the joint between buildings to tell a story about complexity: the border at which buildings collide haphazardly yields an un-sanitized reading of architectural neighborliness. These photos, examples of which are in the lobby, quickly captured the project’s joyfully disjointed aesthetic.
The vaulted arched lobby was informed by a reading of existing LES buildings: important civic spaces are often marked by these kinds of forms, such as the wonderful Guastavino arches scattered throughout lower Manhattan. 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. The spaces’ rich materiality of terrazzo, travertine, and rough plaster also echo the surrounding’s physical palimpsest.
Located on the 7 th floor, the amenity space is similarly informed by a sense of layered stories. We located a feature stair in the center of the square-ish great room to create a point around which to distribute the required amenities. This stair, connecting the lounge to a roof deck above, allows natural light to flood the heart of the lounge, creating a wonderful play of light and shadow during the day. 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 furniture is a mix of contemporary and vintage, further telling our story of looking back to move forward.
JGNA curated the art program to reflect the city’s present-day diversity. Working with local galleries, as well as printing archival images, JGNA tells a visual story from multiple viewpoints. Playful elements are also woven in, such as punk portraits in the study carrels, as well as some lighthearted sports images. But the whole is truly reflective of the diverse voices heard in the neighborhood.
Program Elements: Apartment Unit Design | Lobby | Mailroom | 7th Floor Lounges and Terrace | 8th Floor Amenity and Terrace Bulkhead | Kitchen | Gym | Yoga Room | Conference Room | Phonebooth | 30th Floor Lounge and Rooftop Pool Deck
