Archinect - News

Formation Association designs new west coast HQ for Phillips in LA

2023-04-03T18:58:00-04:00

The west coast operation of London-based auction house Phillips has a new home courtesy of Los Angeles’ Formation Association.

Their West Hollywood design was unveiled recently and features a remodeled series of existing structures that includes three showrooms, a covered patio, and offices set amongst a bespoke covering of ficus trees.

Image © Eric Staudenmaier

A rounded marquee greets visitors to the main showroom’s Santa Monica Boulevard entrance, punctuated by an overhead oculus and encased in a heavy gray dash stucco material that conjures the "textures of workaday local building materials in a sculpted manner [while] lending a distinctly southern California identity to the architectural treatment."

Image © Eric Staudenmaier

Inside, a sequence of light-filled gallery spaces begins with the largest Showroom A, which is framed by a soffit ceiling and features a second oculus that plays host to an exposed si...

Refik Anadol's Casa Batlló NFT sells for $1.38 million

2022-05-11T11:32:00-04:00

A landmark of the Art Nouveau style is on center stage after Refik Anadol’s NFT of the Casa Batlló sold for $1.38 million at Christe’s 21st Century Evening Sale last night.

Titled Living Architecture: Casa Batlló, the piece was commissioned by the group responsible for managing Gaudí’s converted House of Bones last year and is currently on display in a larger format outside the Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza headquarters until May 13. It was also the lone digital-only lot to sell in the auction house’s marquee New York spring sales events this week.

Previously on Archinect: Refik Anadol unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ AI artwork NFTs

A spokesperson with the Casa Batlló named Gary Gautier called Anadol a “perfect fellow traveler” and told reporters that his work “resides between art and technology, expands the possibilities of architecture and brings a new outlook beyond space and time.” Gautier also commented that the Turkish-American artist “connects past, present and future, reminding u...

The anticipated Phillips HQ opening will be postponed due to COVID-19

2020-03-23T13:05:00-04:00

Previously on Archinect, the 55,000 sf studioMDA-designed Phillips HQ was due to open this May. Located in New York City, the building sits at the corner of 432 Park Avenue, providing a space that will feature private galleries, an auditorium, cafe, and more. To inaugurate the opening day, Phillips' 20th Century and Contemporary sale had planned to open along with auctions and exhibitions.

Now, in the midst of the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, the scheduled May opening and auction have been postponed. The Phillips team is currently working to reschedule dates.

New studioMDA-designed Phillips HQ will open this May

2020-03-05T18:41:00-05:00

The new 55,000 sf studioMDA-designed Phillips headquarters is due to open this May. Located in New York City, the opalescent structure will illuminate the corner of 432 Park Avenue, providing a space that will feature private galleries, an auditorium, cafe, and more. To inaugurate the opening day, Phillips' 20th Century and Contemporary sale will open along with auctions and exhibitions.

Phillips will commandeer a large underground space free from columns, allowing the housing of exhibitions and auctions. Enveloped by glass, this milky-lit transparent cube will allow pedestrians to peer into the happenings of the building.

"Having worked on numerous cultural spaces, I believe we can create a new kind of auction house with a more exciting relationship to the city to present Phillips' ever-changing exhibitions," said Markus Dochantschi, founder of studioMDA in a statement, speaking to the design focus to create a flexible space that will be able to provide a seamless level of freedom ...