United We Stand

Strasen Architects unifies two distinct showrooms for William Switzer in New York's D&D building.

Sheila Kim -- Interior Design, 9/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

William Switzer has mastered the art of replicating fine antique furnishings for over 45 years, earning the company a reputation that has enabled it to obtain exclusive license to many high-end furniture collections, including that of Parisian designer Lucien Rollin. After signing on Rollin, William Switzer opened a new showroom to showcase the designer's pieces alongside the full range of Switzer's collections.

In order to achieve this, architect Allen Strasen divided the 7,500-sq.-ft. space on the penthouse floor of New York's D&D Building into two separate yet unified showrooms. Strasen created individual entryways for both the William Switzer and Lucien Rollin showrooms along a narrow corridor that links the two spaces. The architect then connected the two via the Switzer entrance by using Macassar ebony, an African wood used for many of the Rollin pieces. Further connecting the two showrooms, Strasen de-signed both spaces to be similar clean, white backdrops consisting of mostly travertine floors (unfilled travertine in the Rollin side, filled in the Switzer side).

Since Switzer's collections are primarily residential, Strasen says of the furniture placement and layout, "The furniture has a symmetrical order that reinforces organization, much as one would want in a residential setting." In this respect, every home décor detail was considered—antique mirrors hang above refined consoles, sheer curtains cover the windows, and framed art adorns the walls in both spaces.