Morris Adjmi Architects
Encyclopedia
Morris Adjmi Architects is a New York City
based architecture and interior design firm that provides design services to corporate, commercial and residential clients.
Morris Adjmi, founder and principal of Morris Adjmi Architects, began his career working with the Italian architect Aldo Rossi
in 1981 after obtaining his Masters of Architecture degree from Tulane University
. In 1986, Adjmi partnered with Rossi and opened Studio di Architettura in New York City. They collaborated on numerous international projects including the Hotel Il Palazzo in Fukuoka, Japan, Disney’s Celebration Office Complex in Orlando, Florida, the ABC Headquarters in Burbank, and the Scholastic Headquarters in New York City.
Adjmi established his own design firm in 1997 after a successful ten year partnership with Rossi. Morris Adjmi Architects, which also goes by the 'MA', has developed an identity as an office that creates architecture composed of clear contemporary forms that are inspired by context and history. As a matter of process, MA focuses on being site specific and relating to the specific context of a site and its surrounding buildings, both now and historically. Their attempt is to recognize the elements or essence of what makes a space unique, and channel that element through their architecture. Adjmi’s background also contributes to his design sensibility. Growing up in New Orleans, he learned an appreciation for historic architecture and a reverence for history, but also an interest in continuing the spirit of architecture and not necessarily mimicking the exact style and details. In a recent speech about his work in New York's Meat Packing District, he said, "It was really about understanding what makes that architecture relevant and what is the vernacular. How we can continue that tradition and build on that tradition, without copying it verbatim?” Adjmi believes that there are many ways to approach contextual architecture, but he also believes that it is important to make buildings that are new. This can be seen in some of his more recent projects, which attempt to rethink the traditional uses of materials in a way that is both modern and integrated into the historical context. Also incorporated into their design is a deep rooting in sustainability, which is evident in their use of design elements such as green roofs, living walls, and adhering to LEED
guidelines.
MA's work, which mainly focuses on New York City based projects, includes commercial, office, and residential buildings primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The firm recently completed two buildings for the NYU School of Law, one of which included the restoration of the historic Provincetown Playhouse. The firm also has several projects based in the Historic Gansevoort Market District, including a building that sits directly over the new High Line Park just as it intersects 14th Street. Other built work in Manhattan include buildings in Tribeca
, SoHo
, and the Ladies' Mile Historic District
. The office has also completed a number of commercial buildings and hotels in Florida (see Celebration, FL), as well as private residences in the Bahamas (see Albany, New Providence
). MA's work has been covered in numerous publications, and Adjmi has edited two books on Aldo Rossi
. Adjmi is a member of the American Institute of Architects.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based architecture and interior design firm that provides design services to corporate, commercial and residential clients.
Morris Adjmi, founder and principal of Morris Adjmi Architects, began his career working with the Italian architect Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer who accomplished the unusual feat of achieving international recognition in four distinct areas: theory, drawing, architecture and product design.-Early life:...
in 1981 after obtaining his Masters of Architecture degree from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
. In 1986, Adjmi partnered with Rossi and opened Studio di Architettura in New York City. They collaborated on numerous international projects including the Hotel Il Palazzo in Fukuoka, Japan, Disney’s Celebration Office Complex in Orlando, Florida, the ABC Headquarters in Burbank, and the Scholastic Headquarters in New York City.
Adjmi established his own design firm in 1997 after a successful ten year partnership with Rossi. Morris Adjmi Architects, which also goes by the 'MA', has developed an identity as an office that creates architecture composed of clear contemporary forms that are inspired by context and history. As a matter of process, MA focuses on being site specific and relating to the specific context of a site and its surrounding buildings, both now and historically. Their attempt is to recognize the elements or essence of what makes a space unique, and channel that element through their architecture. Adjmi’s background also contributes to his design sensibility. Growing up in New Orleans, he learned an appreciation for historic architecture and a reverence for history, but also an interest in continuing the spirit of architecture and not necessarily mimicking the exact style and details. In a recent speech about his work in New York's Meat Packing District, he said, "It was really about understanding what makes that architecture relevant and what is the vernacular. How we can continue that tradition and build on that tradition, without copying it verbatim?” Adjmi believes that there are many ways to approach contextual architecture, but he also believes that it is important to make buildings that are new. This can be seen in some of his more recent projects, which attempt to rethink the traditional uses of materials in a way that is both modern and integrated into the historical context. Also incorporated into their design is a deep rooting in sustainability, which is evident in their use of design elements such as green roofs, living walls, and adhering to LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
guidelines.
MA's work, which mainly focuses on New York City based projects, includes commercial, office, and residential buildings primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The firm recently completed two buildings for the NYU School of Law, one of which included the restoration of the historic Provincetown Playhouse. The firm also has several projects based in the Historic Gansevoort Market District, including a building that sits directly over the new High Line Park just as it intersects 14th Street. Other built work in Manhattan include buildings in Tribeca
TriBeCa
Tribeca is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York in the United States. Its name is an acronym based on the words "Triangle below Canal Street", and is properly bounded by Canal Street, West Street, Broadway, and Vesey Street...
, SoHo
SoHo
SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City, notable for being the location of many artists' lofts and art galleries, and also, more recently, for the wide variety of stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale national and international chain stores...
, and the Ladies' Mile Historic District
Ladies' Mile Historic District
The Ladies' Mile Historic District was designated in May 1989, by the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission to preserve an irregular district of 440 buildings on 28 blocks and parts of blocks in Manhattan, from roughly 18th Street to 24th Street and from Park Avenue South to west of the...
. The office has also completed a number of commercial buildings and hotels in Florida (see Celebration, FL), as well as private residences in the Bahamas (see Albany, New Providence
Albany, New Providence
Albany is a luxury resort community on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas, which opened October 2010. Tavistock Group, Tiger Woods, and Ernie Els created the community on approximately 600 oceanfront acres on the southwestern end of the island...
). MA's work has been covered in numerous publications, and Adjmi has edited two books on Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer who accomplished the unusual feat of achieving international recognition in four distinct areas: theory, drawing, architecture and product design.-Early life:...
. Adjmi is a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Selected Projects
- 408 Greenwich Street408 Greenwich Street408 Greenwich Street is a postmodernly neoclassical condominium designed and built by Morris Adjmi Architects. It is located in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. The design of the building was inspired by Italian architect, Aldo Rossi. It is included in the Fifth Edition of the AIA Guide to...
- Prudential Center
- Theory Building
- Scholastic BuildingScholastic BuildingThe Scholastic Building at 557 Broadway between Prince and Spring Streets in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, was the first new building to be constructed in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, replacing a one-story garage built in 1954. Completed in 2001, it is the only New...
- High Line Building