Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 41 (Noam). 36 (Daniel).
Occupation: Co-founders of BOND.
Instagram: @bond_architecture
Hometown: New York.
Studio location: Flatiron, New York.
Describe what you make: We design innovative residential and commercial projects in New York, Fire Island, The Hamptons, Miami, Chicago, and elsewhere (Noam). Mostly spaces, but sometimes also furniture pieces and lighting elements. We think about architectural and interior design as two components that should work cohesively together as one narrative—from the facade to the silverware. (Daniel).
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: I see our body of work in Fire island Pines as the most important and continuous project to date. The Pines has 600 houses and at this point we’re starting our tenth project there, so almost two percent of the houses (Noam). Probably our more public-facing projects, like Company Gallery and the Le Pére flagship in Lower East Side, which are actually both on Broome Street. Company was very significant in terms of forming our agenda to be closely associated with the art world, and a good representation of our style. Le Pére came a few years later, but it still has a similar essence—it’s a very clean space with a few design moves that are very decisive and bold (Daniel).
Describe the problem your work solves: Our work uses analogue tools to solve digital problems (Noam). I’d like to think that we de-complicate people’s lives, by rethinking their spaces and how they’re organized and designed. I love when a space has clarity, axiality, and brightness, and it’s a huge gift you can give to someone for their project (Daniel).
Describe the project you are working on now: I’m really excited about a new retail project in Chicago for Local Eclectic—an incredible jewelry brand that bought a historical townhouse in the Magnificent Mile. We’re creating a brand embassy that includes a boutique, bar/café, offices, and a logistic center (Noam). Currently focused on one of our largest projects to date: a conversion of a historic townhouse in Chicago into a jewelry boutique with a bar and offices above. The brand behind it is called “Local Eclectic”—we’ve had a lot of fun developing the design with their team (Daniel).
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: One of our most exciting residential projects to date is a ground-up house we’re designing in Fire Island Pines, which is going into construction this fall (and hopefully will be done by this time next year). It’s a very contemporary design, but leans heavily on the modernist architectural legacy of the town (Daniel).
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Music is key. We do classical music in the morning and progress to disco in the afternoon and techno in the wee hours if we have to stay later (Noam). Always music, typically classical—and a good amount of natural light (Daniel).
What you do when you’re not working: Life is work and work is life for us. The benefits (?) of working with your partner (Noam). We try to see as many art shows as we can, and make time for walks around the city and getting out of the office. Inspiration can’t just come from scrolling on your phone or screen (Daniel).
Sources of creative envy: My dad is a scientist working in the medical field. I was always drawn to his creative thinking about highly complex problems (Noam). Typically artists, in particular someone like Wolfgang Tillmans or Isa Genzken. I feel incredibly lucky to be around, or work with, some amazing artists and collectors. One of the most interesting projects we were involved with was the design of a collection of objects called “Antifurniture” with Fyodor Pavlov Andreevich, which ended in an exhibition at the Design Museum, London (Daniel).
The distraction you want to eliminate: Screens (Noam). Stress. It’s the most counter-productive state-of-mind to be in (Daniel).
Concrete or marble? Both (Noam). Concrete (Daniel).
High-rise or townhouse? Both; why be so binary? What about a townhouse on the 29th floor? (Noam). Townhouse (Daniel).
Remember or forget? Better to forget and move on (Noam). Remember (Daniel).
Aliens or ghosts? Both (Noam). Aliens (Daniel).
Dark or light? Both have a strong dent on my life. I love nightlife and everything that happens in the shadows—crazy source of inspiration. But light is everything we do when we design spaces. Architecture is first and foremost a manifestation of light (Noam). Light (Daniel).
