Joe Nunn & Markus Bergstrom
G03, 38-40 Glasshill Street, London SE1 0QR
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450 PARK AVENUE
New York
Project Commission

A retail space for Phillips de Pury & Company at their new flagship gallery and auction hall in Manhattan. Glass Hill were commissioned to devise a modular yet sophisticated shop fit to display an ever changing selection of design and art objects. This commission follows on from the success of the London retail space.

Built in the late 60’s and completed in 1972, 450 Park was designed by architects Emery Roth and Sons, and originally commissioned by the Franklin National Bank. The black granite tower contains 33-stories and 300,000 square feet of floor space. Phillips de Pury are based on the first two floors. An awkward space with a dense collection of services, but with a direct window to the street, the fit out had to be carefully balanced with potential to expand and accept all sorts of works.

The final solution required two engineered walls, with a grid of mechanical inserts from which black lacquered dowels are placed where necessary to hang shelves. A deep window sill was added to provide a foreground to the shop window and also to hide rather clumsy heating systems. A succession of variously sized tables and platforms completes the simple theme with space for furniture on or around.

Due for completion Feb 2011.