How did you approach the landmark, circa-1893 Bradbury Building in Downtown LA for the latest outpost of NeueHouse?
The Bradbury is one of the West Coast’s oldest buildings. We partnered with Toronto-based interiors studio DesignAgency, designer of many European Generator hostels, so they’re very experienced in historic renovations. The original architecture is a case study in how buildings should be created; however, credit for its design isn’t clear, since young upstart George Wyman took on the commission after the developer dismissed a concept from architect Sumner Hunt, Wyman’s employer. Nonetheless, the details create an incredible sense of history.
Read more from Boutique Design’s Spring 2020 issue.
How does NeueHouse’s target market (including dogs) impact design?
Montauk, my French Bulldog, would attest to how we deeply consider the importance of emotion in our design ethos. Dogs are allowed in public spaces where food isn’t served, although there are dog-free zones for those with allergies or predispositions. We always start by asking ourselves how a space will evoke feelings. Typically, we want residential warmth. The Bradbury is imbued with a honey-infused glow that plays so nicely with the masculine interior atrium.
How do the new kinds of social spaces we’re seeing affect your approach?
People are multi-hyphenate. They do different things day into evening. Attention spans are getting shorter. In response, the Bradbury has six different zones that reflect diverse emotions, desires, and needs as they shift over minute fragments of time.
Photo: NeueHouse
