kips bay condominium
new york, ny

Spacesmith coordinated the renovation of the I.M. Pei's Kips Bay Towers and aligns the lobby's new appearance with the modernist vision: open spaces, modern geometry and transition between inside and outside. Spacesmith's intervention established the travertine elevator cores as central elements. New LED light fixtures uniformly light the honed stone surface. New tile flooring repeats the basket-weave tile pattern that visually connects the inside elevator vestibules with the outside arcade. White metal ceiling panels framed with sheetrock trims further connect inside and outside. The new lobby also includes a solid wood reception desk with metal mesh screens that visually hide storage of luggage carts.

The design team uncovered design sketches and remanufactured I.M. Pei's original carpets: 1950's style circle and square pattern in vivid orange, violet, blue and green tones. Fifty years later, the classic modern has gained a new lease on life and a well deserved breath of fresh air.