Viewing NYC Articles Categorized Under Design

[VIDEO] How an Architect Filled a 340-Sq-Ft NYC Studio With Hidden Storage

2026-07-31T12:00:00-04:00

The video showcases how homeowner Ben Riskin and architect Andrew Magnes creatively transformed a 340-square-foot studio apartment in Manhattan's Tudor City into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing space. The renovation prioritized maximizing every inch with custom millwork, multifunctional furniture, and clever storage solutions. Highlights include a transforming Murphy bed, a compact kitchen inspired by houseboats and tiny homes, and an office built into a former closet. The design emphasizes function first, ensuring the space accommodates diverse activities from cooking to working, reflecting the homeowner's lifestyle and personal touch. The couch was chosen from Room & Board.

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[WATCH] The Greatest Debate in Design History | The NYC Subway Map

2026-07-26T12:00:00-04:00

This video explores the rich and contentious history of the New York City subway map, highlighting a fundamental tension in design between clarity and accuracy. From the system's fragmented beginnings in 1904, where multiple private companies operated with separate maps, to the city's eventual unification of the transit lines, the challenge of creating a coherent map was immense. In 1957, designer George Salomon proposed a unified approach to signage and wayfinding, inspired by Harry Beck's London Underground map, which introduced the idea of a diagram over a geographically accurate map. This paved the way for Italian designer Massimo Vignelli, who, in 1972, unveiled a radical, colorful, and abstract diagrammatic map. While hailed as a modernist masterpiece by designers, many New Yorkers found Vignelli's map confusing due to its distorted geography, shrinking Central Park into a square and abstracting street details. The public's backlash led to the map's replacement in 1979 by a more geographically accurate design by Michael Hertz, who later updated it in 1998. The debate resurfaced with digital maps like The Weekender and the Live Subway Map, which blended both approaches, showcasing how technology can offer flexible information systems. In April 2025, the MTA formally adopted a new physical map, designed in-house, that pays homage to Vignelli's bold, geometric style while incorporating geographic clarity and commuter rail connections. The video concludes that modern navigation tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps have freed the subway map from needing to serve as a street guide, allowing it to focus on its primary purpose: guiding riders through the system itself, a realization of what Vignelli had originally envisioned.

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[VIDEO] Inside a Dream Penthouse Overlooking Central Park

2026-07-21T12:00:00-04:00

The video offers a unique look inside a luxurious New York City penthouse located in the historic St. Urban building on the Upper West Side. Architect and interior designer Crina Arghirescu Rogard of Crina Architecture discusses her approach to blending the building's Beaux-Arts architecture with bold, modern interior design. The reimagined space features custom furniture, sculptural forms, and vibrant materials, including a dramatic turret library, panoramic Central Park views, and a seamless mix of classical structure and contemporary living spaces.

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[VIDEO] Inside Rachel Brosnahan’s Art-Filled New York Home

2026-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

Actress Rachel Brosnahan welcomes Architectural Digest into her vibrant New York home, designed in collaboration with Zoë Feldman. The apartment is a testament to Brosnahan's personal style and artistic sensibilities, featuring a collection of meaningful artworks that include her own holiday photos and original 1970s architectural designs of the building found within a closet. Each space is thoughtfully curated, from the inviting pink-toned living room, perfect for entertaining, to the distinctive green kitchen and a serene coral bedroom adorned with both floral and striped patterns. Throughout the home, Brosnahan shares stories behind unique pieces, highlighting her journey to create a living space that truly feels like home after years of frequent moves.

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[VIDEO] A closer look at 270 Park Avenue

2026-07-01T12:00:00-04:00

The video offers an in-depth look at the design and construction of 270 Park Avenue, JPMorgan Chase's new global headquarters in New York City. Featuring insights from the integrated design team at Foster + Partners, including Lord Norman Foster, Mike Jelliffe, Kirsten Scott, Jeremy Dworken, Nigel Dancey, Roger Ridsdill Smith, and Stefan Bench, the film highlights the building's innovative and sustainable features. These include the recycling of 97% of the original building materials, a zero-carbon footprint powered by hydroelectricity, and triple-glazed windows. A key design challenge involved constructing the tower above Grand Central Terminal's complex network of train tracks, which was resolved using unique fan-columns that distribute weight to bedrock. The interior boasts a grand public lobby connecting Park and Madison Avenues, meticulously crafted with Italian travertine and featuring an American flag sculpture by Lord Norman Foster and digital art installations by Refik Anadol and Maya Lin. The building's "city within a city" concept is realized through multi-story "Exchange" areas offering diverse dining and social spaces, emphasizing interaction and well-being for staff and visitors.

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[WATCH] Inside the Infamous Hotel Where Rock Stars Lived & Died

2026-06-22T12:00:00-04:00

Architectural Digest takes a tour inside the iconic and recently restored Hotel Chelsea, an infamous landmark in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. Owner Sean MacPherson and historian William Benton share insights into the hotel's storied past as a creative haven for generations of artists, writers, and musicians, including legendary figures like Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Andy Warhol, and Sid Vicious. The video showcases the meticulous renovation process, highlighting how historical elements were preserved while integrating modern amenities. Viewers get a glimpse of the lobby, various hotel rooms, the diverse art collection, and the hotel's distinct restaurants and bars, including El Quijote, Café Chelsea, and Teruko. The renovation aimed to elevate the hotel's design while maintaining its unique, eclectic, and rebellious spirit, creating a timeless space that feels like a parallel universe.

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[VIDEO] He Spent 23 Years Transforming His NYC Apartment

2026-05-24T12:00:00-04:00

Join Mike Faraci as he gives a full tour of his meticulously transformed apartment in Uptown Manhattan, a space he has entirely renovated by hand since purchasing it in 2002. Mike, a passionate DIYer, showcases his ingenuity, from completely rebuilding his kitchen with big box store cabinets and installing French doors to maximize natural light, to crafting a faux chimney to hide TV wires. His home reflects a curated blend of family heirlooms, street finds, and budget-friendly pieces, including replica designer furniture and unique renter-friendly hacks like peel-and-stick wallpaper and vinyl floor tiles. The tour also highlights his home recording studio and extensive Lego collection, offering inspiration for anyone looking to achieve a high-end, personalized look in their New York City home without a millionaire's budget. Mike's journey demonstrates how patience and creativity can turn a standard unit into a custom Mid-Century Modern masterpiece.

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[VIDEO] A 1200 Sq Ft NYC Apartment with An Incredible Rooftop Terrace

2026-01-26T12:00:00-05:00

Today, we're taking you to Chelsea, New York, to visit the home of event designer and interior decorator Jared Reichert. Having previously featured his design work on Lauren Stephens's home, Jared now takes us on a tour of his own Chelsea apartment with a dreamy rooftop terrace, which underwent a massive renovation after it was destroyed in a fire. Using his eye for color (specifically pink) and signature Palm Springs flair, Jared has designed a beautiful home matching his vibrant personality. Enjoy!

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[WATCH] Inside Michael Shannon's Cozy Brooklyn Home

2025-12-16T12:00:00-05:00

Today, AD is welcomed by actor Michael Shannon to tour his cozy Brooklyn home inside a converted church. Instantly drawn to its warmth and intimate size, Shannon knew it was the perfect space for him and his two daughters. With the help of interior designer Colleen Newell of The Inbtwn Studios, he created a cozy home inspired by his grandmother’s antique collection amassed during her years in Turkey. A ceiling mural echoing her rugs envelops the primary bedroom, while a vintage Indian window panel repurposed as shelving displays her silver goblets. Shannon’s family history is woven throughout, creating the soulful, meditative retreat he envisioned.

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[VIDEO] Peek Inside the Incredible Midcentury Modern St. Peter's Church in Midtown Manhattan

2025-11-26T12:00:00-05:00

Built in 1977, Saint Peter's Church in Midtown Manhattan on 54th and Lex is a midcentury modern masterpiece in architecture. In this video from our friends at Curbed, peek inside as Pastor Jared R. Stahler tells you all about the building.

This holiday season, Curbed explores extraordinary houses of worship. Take an inside look at Saint Peter's Church, a midcentury masterpiece in New York City.

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