S. DiGiacomo & Son

Fifth Avenue, New York City

For the offices of an established Manhattan general contractor, it was paramount that the design convey permanence and solidity to appeal to both the modern and traditional sensibilities of the firm’s diverse clientele. It was also important that the activities and functions of the office be exposed in open view.

The reception area is a three-dimensional grid of clear finished anigre panels and glass display cases set into an intricate system of maple stiles and rails. This grid creates several interesting moments: an entry portal, a main axis connecting work spaces to conference areas, and a backdrop for a large, curved reception desk. Dynamic vistas into and through the residual spaces transcend the static nature of the grid.