Banda’s most recent project might be their most noteworthy thus far: an expansive duplex penthouse inside New York’s landmark 111 West 57th Street building. Occupying the 76th and 77th floor, with sweeping views over Central Park, the penthouse evokes the feeling of flying high in the sky – at 1,428 feet. Taking cues from the building’s rich history and location, the London-based design studio have seamlessly blended the old, new, subtle, and bold to create a coherent and dynamic interior narrative.
The kitchen overlooks New York’s iconic skyline. The space features bespoke cabinetry in a hand-rubbed finish, white quartzite countertops and splashbacks, and Louise Liljencrantz Strict bar stools.
A Francesco Balzano dining table is paired with Juliana Lima Vasconcellos chairs in the adjoining dining area. Artwork by Per Kirkeby.
The formal dining room features Atelier Pendhapa chairs, a Studio Parisien dining table, an Atelier Fevrier rug and a pair of Apparatus Studio Reprise pendants.
The vision for the penthouse was clear from the beginning: a visually striking interior that spoke to both the natural and built context and adhered to Banda’s design ethos. “The building is such an astonishing feat of architecture and engineering; our vision was to create an interior design scheme that reflected its story and blend of architectural styles,” Banda CEO and creative director Edo Mapelli Mozzi says.
“We could explore the concept of contemporary opulence with this expansive duplex space. Our definition of luxury is subtle and understated; it’s about knowing the true value of pieces, including their back story,” Edo explains. Soft lines, sensual fabrics and calming shades manifest in vintage and contemporary pieces, filtering the city bustle out and situating occupants comfortably in their ‘urban nest’. Reinforcing this, the colour palette borrows greens from the park, browns and burgundies from the surrounding buildings and blues from the sky and water.
At 50 feet long and 14 feet high, the ‘great room’ is a monumental space within the expansive penthouse, featuring statement pieces such as Pierre Augustin Rose’s Saint Honour sofa and Pierre Bonnefille’s Cuprite d’Eau coffee table. These pieces rest upon a 5-metre-wide hand-knotted rug from Nepal. Apparatus Studio’s Signal Y pendants complete the space. Sculpture (right corner) by Wang Keping.
The great room also features Pierre Augustin Rose’s 280 sofa and Craft round table, Charlotte Biltgen’s Ebisu armchair, Galerie Jag’s The Resin Stool and a daybed by Charlotte Taylor and Garc & Dimofski. Photograph by Thomas Ruff.
Comprising 6,512 square feet, the penthouse accommodates a 50-foot-long ‘great room’ on the north side, which looks directly onto the park. Light pours through 14-foot-high floor-to-ceiling windows into the space, embellishing the carefully curated contents.
“The aim was to select purposeful pieces from different genres, eras and locations,” Edo says, which the Banda team have achieved with the contributions of NYC-based furniture company The Invisible Collection. In the great room, the soft curves of the Saint Honour sofa by Pierre Augustin provide a strong contrast to the angular lines of the building, while a trio of Apparatus Studio Signal Y pendants crown the space without distracting from the spectacular view.
Upstairs on the 77th floor, the primary bedroom and ensuite occupy the entire glazed north facade, drinking up city views. The space features its own study, walk-in wardrobe and dressing area, and an onyx-clad bathroom with a handmade freestanding bathtub finished in polished nickel, designed by William Holland. Other bespoke pieces include a custom bedhead by Banda, a plaster chandelier by Nicholas Haslam and the Alta chair by Oscar Niemeyer. Artwork above bed by Andy Warhol; artwork above chair by Elizabeth Payton.
Banda also worked closely with Paris-based art consultancy Noûs Art. “From the beginning, we felt that Banda had planned to create a timeless and peaceful design experience that resonated with the rich history of the building,” Nous Art founder Nicolas Beutler says. “We worked with Edo and his team to carefully select pieces that would pique interest, resonate with Banda’s unmistakable signature, and bring a sense of elegance.” Encompassing paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures, the collection speaks to the diversity and vibrancy of New York City.
One of Nicolas’ favourite pieces is in the kitchen: a painting by Danish artist Per Kirkeby, who also designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet. Another is the photograph in the great room, taken by German photographer Thomas Ruff of the surface of Mars, which further cements the feeling of soaring high above the ground.
Artwork by Andy Warhol
One of the two guest bedrooms is painted olive green to match the dark-green velvet headboard.
