This prewar penthouse was designed to rework old-world classicism in the idiom of a clean, minimalist aesthetic.  The working fireplace became the starting point for the design.  Rather than introduce a heavy, traditional mantel, a scrim wall was built in front of the fireplace to create a lighter, more architectural presence.

The wall was framed by a symmetrical arrangement of doors and square openings that amplified the importance of the firebox.  To reinforce this composition, speakers were integrated above the door opening, with the HVAC grille centered above the fireplace aperture.

The original steel windows echoed the square, rectangular geometries of the fireplace, creating a visual language that was repeated at strategic moments throughout the apartment.