Texts by Peter Allison, Adam Lindermann, and interviews with David Adjaye
Principal photography by Robert Polidori and Lyndon Douglas
Pub Date: March 22, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Rizzoli
Trim Size: 9 x 11

For the several years, David Adjaye has been at the forefront of world architecture, having designed some high-profile buildings such as the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, and the recently winning the design for the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

 

After setting up his office in the nineties, Adjaye made his reputation designing buildings for artists in London’s East End and collaborating with high profile artists working on installations. The ideas that he developed through these projects have inspired some of his design for the house featured in this book. Designed and built over five years, it’s the architect’s first New York project, located in the Upper East Side Historic District. The owner, contemporary art collector Adam Lindemann, wanted a house in which we could exhibit a portion of his art collection, some of it being large scale works; a building that combined exhibition spaces and living spaces.

 The local landmark preservation rules prevented any change to any portion of the existing building seen from street. Beyond the preserved façade and a small courtyard serving as a visual buffer, the new construction was erected fives stories high. The use of a concrete structure allowed the design of flexible spaces punctuated with light and airshafts. The book takes the reader on a photographic tour, capturing the house finished and furnished with the art and furniture collection. We realize that this not an ordinary residence; it’s a visual experience that we assimilate through a journey from the entrance, gallery space, living rooms, and living space. Each area has its own character, and the artwork blends into its surroundings, creating a synergy with the Architecture.

 

Beyond the photographic promenade, the book contains separate essays that shed the light about the project’s background, concept, and inspiration. It concludes with an interesting conversation with David Adjaye, where the architect explains how some ideas were developed in past projects, became relevant guidelines in his current work.