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    The New Work Project is a monochrome co-working space in Brooklyn

    A shared workspace for creatives has opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with minimalist black and white interiors and gold-toned accents.

    The New Work Project is the brainchild of The New Design Project, a studio founded by Parsons graduates Fanny Abbes and James Davison.
    The stark colour scheme of The New Work Project becomes apparent upon entering the reception areaHaving worked in finance for a time, the duo returned to their design roots to set up the co-working space in a converted foundry building, and craft its interiors.
    They describe it as “a place for like-minded people to come together in an environment that is personal and intimate, and designed for collaboration”, adding that the space is “individually designed to inspire, stimulate, promote creativity and facilitate fluid working”.
    Members can choose from a variety of seating options in the open-plan spaceA largely monochrome theme is followed through the space — from walls and door frames to furniture to artworks — with light fixtures, flooring and decorative plants adding some colour.

    “Bold accents of black and gold are carried throughout the space with an overall modern approach to the design,” said the founders. “Clean lights are beautifully accentuated with track lighting against the white interiors.”
    Caned modernist chairs accompany a large meeting tableThe stark palette is evident immediately upon entering into a vestibule painted black on its three sides and ceiling.
    A reception desk has a pale marble top cut into an angular shape, and is lit by a thin linear fixture that runs up the wall and across the ceiling to form a 90-degree angle.
    Desks are arranged in U-shape configurations opposite a marble barBeyond is a lounge area, where four black-framed modernist chairs with caned backs and seats face a large upholstered ottoman.
    The dark central seating sits on a pale grey rug, as do a pair of styled coffee tables on either side.
    Private conference rooms can be booked for meetingsA larger meeting table surrounded by the same caned chairs is positioned in front of a series of private conference rooms, which are available for members to book for meetings.
    There’s also a trio of phone booth-style rooms from which individuals can take calls.
    Phone booths offer privacy for individual calls”The intimate ’boutique’ space creates a community environment while also creating a place for work and productivity,” the founders said.
    The remainder of the co-working space is open plan, with light wood flooring throughout and white on all of the walls except those painted black at each end.

    The Malin is designed as a vibrant but homely New York co-working space

    Tables are laid out in U-shape configurations, divided by black-tinted glass partitions where they face one another.
    Three-branched brass lights hang overhead, while lamps with globe-shaped bulbs are placed on each desk.
    Gold-toned accents are found throughout the spaceA marble bar, accompanied by a line of black stools, separates this work area from a kitchen for members to prepare and eat food.
    Some of the building’s original steel columns are left exposed, their rough surfaces contrasting with the white walls and marble counters.
    The monochrome scheme continues down to artworks and stylingNew York City has no shortage of co-working spaces. Many are similarly using design to entice members, like The Malin that recently opened in Soho.
    Our latest lookbook rounds up 10 shared workspaces around the world that offer a reprieve from the home office.

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    Rockwell Group takes maximalist approach to Japanese design at Katsuya NYC restaurant

    Elements of traditional Japanese architecture and design are combined and given a contemporary spin by New York studio Rockwell Group at this sushi restaurant in Manhattan.

    Katsuya is the latest restaurant of its name by chef Katsuya Uechi, following locations in Los Angeles, Miami and the Bahamas all serving sushi with a Californian twist.
    Katsuya serves Californian-influenced Japanese cuisine by chef Katsuya Uechi. This and top photos by Nikolas KoenigFor its interior, Rockwell Group looked to a variety of Japanese aesthetic traditions, and blended them together to create a theatrical experience.
    “The interior dining rooms take a maximalist approach to Japanese aesthetics, an entertaining departure from the contemporary minimalist vogue,” said the team.
    A long red-lacquered communal table occupies the centre of the dining room. Photo by Nikolas KoenigThe restaurant totals 6,890 square feet (640 square metres) and seats up to 305 diners. Guests enter past the sushi bar and lounge, which is set up for casual diners to enjoy light bites in view of the kitchen.

    In the main dining area, the space is divided into three sections by a pair arched openings and a series of translucent glass screens subtly printed with images of wagasa – Japanese umbrellas.
    Translucent screens divide up the hall-like spaceThe archways, shaped to reference torii and pagoda architecture, are trimmed with red lacquer and inlaid with square wooden tiles.
    Screens are suspended from a black powder-coated metal framework, reminiscent of kumiki wood joinery.
    Secluded banquettes are positioned towards the back. Photo by Emily AndrewsDominated by red, the central space has a long communal table, plus several two-tops and a trio of secluded banquettes towards the back.
    Small to medium-sized parties are accommodated in the section to the right, where the red tones are swapped for warm creams and the wagasa patterns appear again on the wallpaper.
    Several traditional Japanese wagara motifs decorate the wallsMore banquette niches are framed by curved ceilings, and decorated with other traditional wagara motifs and imagery of performers with fans.
    The final indoor dining area includes a variety of table sizes, as well as a robata grill – a specialty that the chef is “renowned for pioneering in the West” according to the team.
    A private dining room seats 10. Photo by Nikolas KoenigConcentric pendant lights by Allied Maker spotlight individual tables and booths throughout the restaurant.
    Meanwhile, the red-lacquered communal table is “illuminated by a custom chandelier with a lazily undulating form that appears like waves rendered in ink”.

    Rockwell Group models Casa Dani restaurant in New York on Andalusian patios

    A private dining room at the end of the hall-like restaurant features red-leather-backed chairs around a circular wooden table, which seats 10.
    In the warmer months, a terrace influenced by autumnal Japanese gardens will provide space for 98 guests outdoors.
    Screens are subtly printed with images of wagasa – Japanese umbrellasKatsuya opened in March 2022 as one of two full-service restaurants inside the Citizens food hall, located within the Manhattan West development between Hudson Yards and Penn Station.
    Rockwell Group was also responsible for the interior design of Citizens, as well as the other fine-dining option Casa Dani, which serves Andalusian cuisine in a setting to match.
    Allied Maker’s Concentric pendant lights are hung throughout the restaurantThe firm was founded by architect and designer David Rockwell in 1984, and is best known for hospitality projects, and production design for theatre and events.
    Its studios have recently collaborated with fellow designers Joyce Wang on the first Equinox Hotel, Yabu Pushelberg for the Moxy Chelsea hotel and Diller Scofidio + Renfro to build 15 Hudson Yards and The Shed – all in New York City.
    The photography is courtesy of Katsuya, unless stated otherwise.

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    The Malin is designed as a vibrant but homely New York co-working space

    The Malin is a design-led co-working space in Manhattan that blends contemporary colours and textures with original architectural elements that are “quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style”.

    Located at 32 Mercer Street in New York City, the workspace’s interior design was led by Jordan Trinci-Lyne and Jean Morana, in collaboration with Fettle Design.
    The Malin was designed with homely touchesDescribed as having an “adaptable floor plan”, The Malin is made up of 38 individual desks as well as a library, three office spaces, three conference rooms, four booths reserved for video calls and various other meeting areas, including a barista kitchen.
    According to its designers, the co-working space intends to maintain the building’s traditional elements – such as existing columns, high ceilings and large windows – and combine them with vibrant colour and material palettes that are designed to reflect the creativity of its members.
    Colour and texture are blended with pared-back, original elements”Architecturally, we kept several things intact that are quintessential to the iconic Soho loft-style,” The Malin co-founder Ciaran McGuigan told Dezeen.

    “The space is very open, with tons of natural light that is filtered throughout. We also incorporated custom arched doorways in solid oak and glass, which are a nod to windows that are typical to buildings in the neighbourhood.”
    White walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspaceFamiliar white walls and hardwood floors form the backdrop of the workspace, which is dressed with more colourful accents such as low-slung bouclé seating arranged in vibrant clusters, as well as touches of Calico Wallpaper.
    McGuigan explained that each of The Malin’s areas was led by “the psychology of colour, designed to inspire our members’ best work”.
    Blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the solitary libraryCalming, blue-on-blue tones were chosen for the library, which was designed as a refuge for silent work, while the remaining areas favour a palette of bright, bold and saturated hues that stand out against their neutral backdrop.
    “Energy equals productivity and that’s a fundamental output we want the design to facilitate,” said McGuigan. “Elevated materials like mohair, leather, and rare marble were included as an aspirational touch to contrast the typical work-from-home experience.”

    Grzywinski+Pons combines hotel and co-working in Buckle Street Studios

    Individual desks framed by Eames Soft Pad office chairs are crafted from solid oak and are subtly separated from each other with recycled crystal dividers.
    Pared-back, diner-style pendant lights are suspended above plump, emerald green booth-like sofas, which make up an informal space for The Malin’s members to gather.
    Individual desks are separated by recycled crystal dividersA curated art collection decorates the walls, while design elements from brands such as Flos and Orior – another of McGuigan’s ventures – also feature in the space. Charging outlets are positioned close to every piece of custom furniture to create an accessible working environment.
    The team explained that The Malin was created to encourage its members to return to a public workplace in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, balancing quieter areas with those built for socialising within an eclectic interior design.
    “It has all the functionality of an office space, but with the comfort of a home,” said McGuigan.
    Pendant lights are suspended above plump seatingThe Malin opened in October 2021, joining a host of other colourful co-working spaces around the world. These include Note Design Studio’s Douglas House, an office building in London with contrasting bright hues; and Spatial – a Montreal mint green and burgundy co-working space by Ivy Studio that features a zinc reception desk with a rainbow-coloured finish.
    The photography is by Thomas Loof.

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