We had previously built the New York offices for this client’s large software company. When he sold that company, he asked us to design a penthouse apartment for a new stage of life with his wife and their four children. Because he purchased the unit early in the development of the building we were able to work with the developer to customize the floorplate. The apartment’s unique L-shape allows for unparalleled vistas in all directions and ample terraces to the west and north.

We prioritized the long skyline views through the apartment so that from all points there is a view, while also responding to the client’s desire for a modern interpretation of a Moroccan aesthetic. The apartment’s flow is modern and open but the materials, colors, and surfaces evoke another time and place. Using saturated colors and Moroccan architectural features, we created a tableau that combines contemporary building elements (concrete columns and exposed concrete ceiling slabs) with a modern interpretation of Moroccan architecture’s hand-made quality and bold palette.

The progression of natural light through the apartment marks the passage of the day, starting with sunrise in the Master suite and finishing with sunset in the living room.