East Village Studio

This 400-square-foot studio and gallery is an exercise in versatility and efficiency. Primarily a place for designers to work and meet with clients, contractors, and consultants, it doubles as a gallery space for contemporary art installations, switching with ease between two seemingly incompatible functions.

A black steel window-and-door unit nearly fills studio’s street façade, its gridwork frame glazed with panes of etched and clear glass in a pattern that balances sun shading and privacy with an open, spacious feeling. Immediately inside is a communal space with custom workstations lining its two exposed-brick side walls. The millwork was designed to quickly and safely conceal computers and work materials in preparation for gallery exhibitions. The centerpiece of this communal space is a Multi Storage Unit, a multifunction custom teak millwork piece. NMA holds a patent for the Multi Storage Unit.

Flamed granite tile flooring helps delineate the studio’s private zone. The centerpiece of the conference room is a custom table topped with cobalt blue glass. A faux skylight above provides the pleasant illusion of daylight and expands the perceived volume of the compact space.

Photographer: John Morgan