It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a decade since Loic Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail opened Carpenters Workshop in London. In those years, the Frenchmen have undoubtedly secured their place (and the place of design-art) in the art world, having championed the artistically functional creations of Joanna Grawunder, Maarten Baas and Nacho Carbonell, just to name some.
This week, the duo is poised to reach new heights with the opening of a New York gallery space, literally. The American outpost is perched on the 19 and 20 floors of the ex-Takashimaya building situated on Fifth Avenue, which was originally designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Following the move in of Valentino last year, the building also features David Chipperfield-designed interiors on its first three floors.
Way up above that, the Carpenters Workshop space is comparatively raw and unvarnished, though the double height windows, private elevator and array of collectible design certainly commands its own presence.
‘The American market is very savvy to the decorative arts and design, generally speaking. We’ve been doing a lot of our business with American clients already. Almost 40 per cent of our business is done in the States on a reactive basis. We thought it would make sense for us to come and start knocking on people’s door,’ says Lombrail.
‘We want to convey not only the aesthetic of the gallery but also explain to people how you can live with these pieces,’ he continues. ‘We are very fortunate to have this amazing space on Fifth Avenue. The 19th floor stays mostly as a white box where we will stage some rigorous exhibitions, sometimes showing just one artist at a time to explain the work, and on the 20th floor, we’re going to do something more domestic, where we almost transform the 20th floor as an apartment, which I’d like to believe would become my perfect bachelor’s pad.’
For its opening, the gallery has installed an assortment of its greatest hits; works from recognizable names such as Baas, Carbonell, Rick Owens and Studio Job are mixed in with Wonmin Park’s ‘Haze’ stools, Random International’s interactive wall sculptures and Studio Drift’s swirling ‘Flylight’ chandelier - many of which have on been created specially for the occasion. And since there’s nothing quite like seeing and experiencing the scale and tactility of these thought-provoking pieces in the flesh, we’re predicting that the gallery won’t stay a quiet house for long.
The building was originally designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee and also houses a Valentino boutique designed by lDavid Chipperfield on its first three floors
For its opening, the gallery has installed an assortment of its greatest hits. A chandelier by Studio Drift hangs above a dining table by Ingrid Donat’s ’Tribal table’ and Vincent Dubourg’s ’Doors I’ console
Founders Loic Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail in the New York gallery
On the 19th floor, the space will remain mostly as a white box where the galleru will stage exhibitions, sometimes showing just one artist at a time in order to properly showcase the work
A view featuring Studio Job’s ’Train Crash Table’, Studio Drift’s ’Fragile Future Chandelier 3.10’, Atelier Van Lieshout’s ’Technocrat Bronze coffee table’ and Random International’s wall sculpture ’You Fade Into Light’
‘The American market is very savvy to the decorative arts and design, generally speaking,’ says gallery co-founder Julien Lombrail. ’We’ve been doing a lot of our business with American clients already. Almost 40% of our business is done in the States on a reactive basis.’
INFORMATION
By appointment only
Photography: Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop
ADDRESS
Carpenters Workshop Gallery
693 Fifth Avenue
19th Floor
New York
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