AFA is moving! Read below for a snapshot of the past 15 years...
After 15 years in Nomad, we're moving a few blocks south to 20W20 for more space, great views, and abundant northern light—hello, Flatiron! The process of moving has sparked reflection on the projects we've completed and the growth they've inspired. Hillside House, Shared Office, Manhattan Penthouse, East End House, Hill Office, Meadow Beach House, Tribeca Loft, La Marina…These standout projects over the past 15 years illustrate our commitment to integrating interiors and architecture to create one cohesive experience with meticulous consideration of light, materiality, craft, and proportion and our love of working with wood to create inviting and sometimes sensual experiences.
Hillside House
One of our most recent projects is Hillside House, a contemporary "modern lodge" designed for two families. Drawing inspiration from the turn-of-the-century mountain lodges that are iconic to the region, the home features expansive, thoughtfully designed communal spaces at its heart, ideal for gathering and hosting.
The main living-dining space hosts expansive views, a large stone hearth, and interiors inspired by nature’s seasonal colors and the local farming community. We call it the living “porch.” We’re excited to share more about this project soon!
This year-round retreat occupies a unique island, nestled between a wooded forest on one side and a bluff that offers sweeping views of a sandy beach and the water's edge on the other. Designed to harmonize with its surroundings, the house is purposefully kept low, stepping down with the terrain, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the natural landscape and minimize its presence on the stunning site.
Designed to foster a continuous connection with the ever-changing natural landscape, every space in the home is thoughtfully oriented to the surrounding vegetation, water, and sunlight. The use of tactile, natural materials like wood and stone deepens this connection, grounding the inhabitants in the environment (and helping to hide traces of sand that might be brought in on bare feet...)
[Above] The living area is sunken to allow for views from the entry and adjacent kitchen.
This duplex is a study of inside-outside living, and the result is a warm, lush residence that gives you the sense of being enveloped by nature. This two-level residence features a broad-gardened green roof that flows into the interior through large retractable glass walls to create a continuous living area, whether indoors or outdoors. Organic materials, a play of hard and soft surfaces, vivid, deep colors, and textures reference nature’s role as sanctuary and sustenance.
[Above] A bluestone floor extends from the dining area to the terrace’s softscape herb garden, expanding the living space to the outdoors.
Completed in 2016, this home is a casual, comfortable island retreat filled with charming nooks and alcoves perfect for reading or relaxing year-round. The beauty of the site captivated us from the start—the light on the vineyard, particularly near the beach, is specific to both summer and winter. AFA dedicated considerable time on-site observing the land, studying both predictable natural patterns, like the movement of daylight and prevailing winds, and ephemeral elements, such as the sound of waves breaking and the rolling fogs.
This field documentation was central to the allocation of rooms, and the result is the irregular building footprint and massing. One could describe the house as having been designed from the inside out, in response to the surrounding environment. The interiors play with various colors, subtle patterns, and furnishings against the backdrop of pale, hand-rubbed white pine paneling that glows in the island light.
One of our most significant yet challenging projects is the Hill Office. Located in a double-height penthouse of a 1913 Beaux Arts building, our mission was to restore the space's majesty while modernizing it for the 21st century and exploiting the light and views throughout.
[Above] View of the new floating bridge
The final space celebrates and democratizes views and daylight equally, with perimeter areas designed for communal use and workstations centrally located at the heart of the space. The historic mezzanine is extended along a third side of the open floor plan, while a floating bridge is introduced on the opposite side. Both are carefully integrated without infringing on the building's historic fabric. The result is a space that establishes connectivity, opens up views, and invites daylight deep into the space for all to enjoy.
[Above] Near the perimeter, glazed meeting rooms clad in carved wood louvers diffuse strong southern sunlight while maintaining views and adding warmth to the spaces..
Last but certainly not least, Tribeca Loft! We are incredibly proud of this exceptional project, which has generated widespread acclaim and been featured extensively, both nationally and internationally, including a fantastic spread in Architectural Digest Germany. It has also garnered more awards than any other project in our portfolio, a testament to its design excellence.
This top-floor Civil War-era warehouse was transformed into a warm and welcoming residence centered around a mezzanine courtyard that floods the space with natural light and draws occupants up toward the new green roof terrace. Embracing the building's industrial heritage, the design engages in a visual discourse between old and new, juxtaposing modern insertions with restored original and reclaimed materials.
[Above] The new green roof, utilizing a majority of native plant species, insulates the environment below, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs.
We are enthusiastic about the future and projects underway, and we are looking forward to welcoming you to our new studio in 2025!