Luminous geometries

Designed by the prolific Japanese architect Tadao Ando, a penthouse in Manhattan incorporates the AF/21 series ABOUTWATER collection by Boffi and Fantini

Private penthouse, New York - Photo © Jeff Goldberg, Esto
Private penthouse, New York - Photo © Jeff Goldberg, Esto

One of the most prolific architects of his generation, Tadao Ando is an undisputed master of contemporary practice. Thanks to his longevity, the Japanese architect has realised more than three hundred works in his lifetime, including small-scale projects and monumental interventions. On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, an upscale residential area full of museums and art galleries, Ando has renovated a penthouse gallery, located on the top floor of a 12-story historic landmark building constructed in 1912.

The top floor of the building is connected to the penthouse by a spiral staircase. The progression of the rooms is linear – gallery, living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms – and the rooms are marked by geometric rigour, illuminated by natural light filtering through large glass surfaces.

In this architectural context, awarded for its formal cleanliness, is the AF/21 collection designed by Naoto Fukasawa for Aboutwater, the brand born from the collaboration between Boffi and Fantini, and offers taps with pure and essential shapes.