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Pro Spotlight: 3 Thoughtful Ways to Radically Reinvent Your Home
A New York architect shares how to stretch the envelope of what’s possible when it comes to home design
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Who: Niv Ben-Adi of Atelier036
Where: New York
In his own words: “I see every challenge as an opportunity. It forces you to think harder about every aspect of a project, which leads to a holistic and creative project, be it residential or commercial.”
We’ve all walked into a home that looked much like any other — a similarity stemming from a lack of uncovering the best possible design. Rather than taking a prescriptive, perfunctory approach, Atelier036 principal architect Niv Ben-Adi says, design should begin in the abstract — starting with an object the client relates to, such as a painting, for example.
“When it comes to understanding what a space has to offer and how it can speak to what you do every day or on occasion, you need to push the envelope,” Ben-Adi says. “We’re trying to go as far out as possible to then come back to ground the project, all while meeting budget requirements and achieving the best possible outcome.”
Where: New York
In his own words: “I see every challenge as an opportunity. It forces you to think harder about every aspect of a project, which leads to a holistic and creative project, be it residential or commercial.”
We’ve all walked into a home that looked much like any other — a similarity stemming from a lack of uncovering the best possible design. Rather than taking a prescriptive, perfunctory approach, Atelier036 principal architect Niv Ben-Adi says, design should begin in the abstract — starting with an object the client relates to, such as a painting, for example.
“When it comes to understanding what a space has to offer and how it can speak to what you do every day or on occasion, you need to push the envelope,” Ben-Adi says. “We’re trying to go as far out as possible to then come back to ground the project, all while meeting budget requirements and achieving the best possible outcome.”
All-encompassing architecture. Growing up, Ben-Adi spent his summer breaks working on construction projects. “I grew up in Israel, where there are a lot of old houses, so I got firsthand experience early on,” he says. “But as a kid I was always tinkering, building and improvising.” After receiving his architecture degree from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, he moved to New York and worked with several architecture firms. “It was important to me to be involved in both the design and the management of our projects,” Ben-Adi says. “That encouraged me to open my own architectural and interior design studio.”
Blank-slate beginnings. Ben-Adi’s architectural signature comes through in his unusual approach. “Every project is tabula rasa,” he says. “I come in totally fresh, ready to absorb and respond to the information my clients share with me.” Ben-Adi starts with an in-depth brainstorming session. “I ask the client to share what they’ve been intrigued by,” he says. “Even if creativity isn’t their strength, everyone can share what makes them happy or comfortable.”
Ready to reinvent how you experience your home? Ben-Adi shares his advice below.
Ready to reinvent how you experience your home? Ben-Adi shares his advice below.
1. Consider Each Layer of Your Design Holistically
Ben-Adi not only believes that a holistic approach to all elements of design is crucial to project success, it’s also immensely important to him as an architect. “I’m not holding the hammer, but I’m involved in every aspect of design, from the initial scheme to the lighting design and materials selection,” he says. “Everything needs to work together. The design is interconnected, like an organism.”
This first-floor apartment in the East Village was situated in the dark back of a building. As Ben-Adi designed the floor plan, he simultaneously layered in moments for vertical and horizontal lighting. “We made every effort to make it as bright as possible using different lighting intensities,” he says. “Now there’s a nice balance and transition of light for the depth of the apartment.” The homeowner later told him, “I’ve only been here a month, but I feel healthy living in this apartment.”
See more of this project
Ben-Adi not only believes that a holistic approach to all elements of design is crucial to project success, it’s also immensely important to him as an architect. “I’m not holding the hammer, but I’m involved in every aspect of design, from the initial scheme to the lighting design and materials selection,” he says. “Everything needs to work together. The design is interconnected, like an organism.”
This first-floor apartment in the East Village was situated in the dark back of a building. As Ben-Adi designed the floor plan, he simultaneously layered in moments for vertical and horizontal lighting. “We made every effort to make it as bright as possible using different lighting intensities,” he says. “Now there’s a nice balance and transition of light for the depth of the apartment.” The homeowner later told him, “I’ve only been here a month, but I feel healthy living in this apartment.”
See more of this project
2. Keep Your Mind Open to New Ideas
Enrich your space with immersive design thinking. “I’m always looking for the truth of a space, with no unnecessary additions,” Ben-Adi says. “But that doesn’t mean the design is sterile. You can find warmth in ways that serve the function and spirit of a home.”
This modern New York apartment design for an active family was aptly named “The Loop” by Ben-Adi. “We wanted to create an endless travel path,” he says. “There are doors for privacy, but they remain open most of the time so you can run around the entire apartment.” As an added touch, the would-be dead-end primary shower features a wall of translucent glass to continue the communication of light and movement throughout the space. “Small details like that make the experience much richer than if we had simply tiled the shower wall and called it a day,” Ben-Adi says.
See more of this project
Enrich your space with immersive design thinking. “I’m always looking for the truth of a space, with no unnecessary additions,” Ben-Adi says. “But that doesn’t mean the design is sterile. You can find warmth in ways that serve the function and spirit of a home.”
This modern New York apartment design for an active family was aptly named “The Loop” by Ben-Adi. “We wanted to create an endless travel path,” he says. “There are doors for privacy, but they remain open most of the time so you can run around the entire apartment.” As an added touch, the would-be dead-end primary shower features a wall of translucent glass to continue the communication of light and movement throughout the space. “Small details like that make the experience much richer than if we had simply tiled the shower wall and called it a day,” Ben-Adi says.
See more of this project
3. For Timeless Design, Think Through Your Experiences
Popular design trends can be alluring. Yet the joy they spark usually wanes after a few years. Ben-Adi offers some guidance to find a design you’ll love for decades: “When you start by brainstorming elements that have nothing to do with the actual architecture, you can create a story for the project from all the information you’ve learned,” he says. The story of your home will focus on how you live in it, rather than how it’s decorated.
At this New York garden apartment with limited light, Ben-Adi found more room for daylight while also creating new ways to experience the space. “We moved the stairway to the back of the house and installed steel plate stairs to create an opening for light to travel into the bedroom,” he says. “This created more opportunities to sit and experience the space, like reading nooks with a totally new quality of light.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Niv Ben-Adi and examples of his work, visit Atelier036’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Popular design trends can be alluring. Yet the joy they spark usually wanes after a few years. Ben-Adi offers some guidance to find a design you’ll love for decades: “When you start by brainstorming elements that have nothing to do with the actual architecture, you can create a story for the project from all the information you’ve learned,” he says. The story of your home will focus on how you live in it, rather than how it’s decorated.
At this New York garden apartment with limited light, Ben-Adi found more room for daylight while also creating new ways to experience the space. “We moved the stairway to the back of the house and installed steel plate stairs to create an opening for light to travel into the bedroom,” he says. “This created more opportunities to sit and experience the space, like reading nooks with a totally new quality of light.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Niv Ben-Adi and examples of his work, visit Atelier036’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Atelier036 is full service, hands-on award-winning New York City-based architecture and interior design studio.... Read More
Review by Melora Johnson:
Not sure why I ever thought I could get through my renovation process without Niv. Very very glad I hired him. He is knowledgeable, calm, patient thoughtful and thorough. He crosses every T and dot...More