It has been six years since lighting brand Allied Maker hit the New York City design scene. Founders husband-and-wife duo Ryden and Lanette Rizzo started by designing lights inside a garage, and now they have taken the brand to the next level by opening their first 185sq m showroom in Manhattan which they have created in collaboration with architect Marshall Shuster.
‘Lanette really wanted to find the perfect ground floor space with architectural interest. Frontage was a must. A cast iron building was a plus’ explains Ryden. These architectural qualities are found in the Le Corbusier-inspired arches that mirror the vast curves seen throughout the collections, showcasing the couple’s keen interest in sacred geometry.
Originally existing as a dental office, the light filled space in Tribeca offers oak floors, terrazzo details with brass inlays; the lighting designs are also part of the architecture as they are found framed into the walls and hanging from the ceiling.
The couple have built a unique model for their brand, being both designers and manufacturers means they offer a fully bespoke service whilst behind the scenes, their Long Island production team is predominantly made up of female artisans. ‘Craftsmanship has been, historically, a male dominated field. I personally love hiring a good craftswoman, Lanette says, ‘We have female engineers and fabricators. I love that our company is participating in the cultivation and growth of women in this field. Our company is about one third women.’
This modern company philosophy, the new showroom and the latest modular releases in wood and steel continue to anchor Allied Maker’s strong position on the competitive NYC lighting design market. Their passion for craftsmanship also led them to explore new territories for the showroom, outside of the lighting realm. They created a stair baluster for the space and this could be a sign for a furniture designing future, ‘we have talked about hardware, furniture and home accessories and are looking forward to keeping the work fresh and expanding our offerings’ Ryden says. Watch this space. §
