We’ve worked with this client on two previous apartments and are currently collaborating on a third. A retired financier turned artistic photographer, he now exhibits his work in both Europe and the United States.

Each of his apartments is situated high above neighboring buildings, offering breathtaking views of New York City and Central Park. To take full advantage of these vistas, the apartments were designed with expansive windows. However, these large exposures—especially on the east, south, and west elevations—also brought significant heat gain. The original HVAC systems were dramatically undersized for the task.

Our challenge was to preserve the panoramic views while creating a comfortable indoor climate and providing ample wall space to showcase his extensive art collection. In other words: remove walls to open the views, but also create new ones to hang the art.

We incorporated a generous use of mirrors—a design element the client had embraced in one of his other homes—to amplify light and extend the sense of space. The result is a seamless, light-filled apartment that flows beautifully, feels serene, and meets both aesthetic and functional needs.