Upper West Side Duplex, New York

This 1,800sf duplex renovation, designed for a retired couple, is based on a set of ancient design aesthetics, embraced by the Owners during the years the family lived/worked in Japan. These include the ideals of wabi (transient stark beauty), sabi (patina, aging), and yūgen (profound subtlety). The space divides into public/private. The lower level is an open utilitarian space for dining/ entertainment with floor-width views and sliding Shoji screens. The private bedrooms on the upper level, feature a sequence of graceful forms around a central core wall. Dropped-ceiling-planes with lit edges create a spatial-openness. This job exemplifies Enso “circle” the absolute in strength/elegance/void.