The award-winning architects Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri are well known for meeting challenges with creativity. As principals of Hariri & Hariri Architecture since 1986, the Iranian-born sisters have built a top-tier reputation for innovative design. They have furthermore succeeded as women in what remains a largely male-dominated field. In 2010, Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri were named to Architectural Digest’s list of the greatest talents in architecture and design.
In 2019, the architects were asked to undertake a complete office renovation for SIBA Corp/SIBA Residences, a diversified family business based in New York City’s Diamond District. As envisioned by the clients, the project was a perfect fit for the sisters’ interest in shattering paradigms. “We have always challenged the expected and traditional way,’’ Gisue Hariri said. “To us, architecture is an inventive, experiential and poetic field. We are interested in pushing the boundaries, standards and banal approaches to design that exist in the industry.”
SIBA’s desire for a new look came as the fourth generation took the helm of the Abram family’s enterprises. Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri were asked to design for the unique needs of three largely independent businesses—real estate, building management, and diamond trading—within the same suite of offices. President Edward Abram hoped to achieve an aesthetically compelling and visually united “brand” throughout.
Stunning City Views
One main advantage of the space was its position. Occupying the entire penthouse level of a prominent Fifth Avenue tower, the location offered ample access to daylight and stunning city views all along the perimeter. A full wraparound terrace even provided access to the outdoors. However, the clients sought to retain the traditional rim of walled perimeter offices, making it more challenging to bring that exterior light into the center of the floor.
With high-value inventory on the premises, the nature of SIBA’s operations also called for heightened security measures, including tightly controlled access to certain areas. While these safety precautions were indispensable, the Abram family still hoped to create a “timeless, inspiring, and healthy” atmosphere for their employees, noted Gisue Hariri.
Renovations began in early 2020, amid the unexpected backdrop of an unfolding pandemic. With work from home playing a new role for many, the architects felt it was more important than ever to approach their work with fresh priorities. As Gisue Hariri noted, “The pandemic was the catalyst we needed to finally re-think office design . . . what is important is the experience and connection we cherish in the office environment.”
In approaching their task, Hariri & Hariri Architecture viewed SIBA’s gem business as more than a reason for enhanced built-in security. It became a source of artistic inspiration.
The architects wanted “to pay homage to SIBA’s heritage in the diamond business by making the architecture like a cut stone or a jewel.” Once the renovation began, the design team discovered that further artistic gems were at their disposal. Artworks by such well-known figures such as Josef Albers and Ellsworth Kelly came to light in the office collection. Additional pieces by Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Alexander Calder were then acquired to contribute to the new design’s high-end, cutting-edge sensibility.
Translucent Materials
Ultimately, Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri were able to preserve privacy and structure for the outer ring of private offices while bringing light and color to the core of the interior. In the private perimeter spaces, contemporary windows captured the views of New York City with a minimum of interference, as if framing paintings of the cityscape. Then, careful selection of key building materials allowed the flow of light to reach beyond these enclosed rooms.
For the interior-facing walls and doors of the offices, the architects specified the use of Bendheim SatinTech™ etched glass, in a jewel-like celadon hue. As described by Gisue Hariri, these translucent panels allowed daylight to filter through, “creating a bright, airy, and tactile central space which is an inspiring, dynamic, and comfortable environment to work in . . . the quality, variety, dependability and size are what make Bendheim products special.”
Resistant to fingerprints and staining, SatinTech™ glass diffuses light, reduces glare and minimizes reflections. In the design for SIBA, it allowed the architects to maximize the benefits of natural light while meeting other structural and practical needs. “Large frameless sliding doors and panels along the perimeter offices needed to be tempered for safety and etched for privacy,’’ Gisue Hariri noted. “We also wanted a maintenance-friendly surface unlike coated, sandblasted glass.” Hariri & Hariri Architecture also used SatinTech™ panels to create new cubicle partitions for the central work area, creating a harmonious and integrated design.
Feeling of Domesticity
The architects added both comfort and interest to the office interior through the careful placement of each functional area, avoiding the sterile feeling of a grid layout in favor of a more experiential and eventful design. A custom reception desk, sculpted to resemble the facets of a diamond, and a comfortably furnished jewelry viewing lounge set the tone at the entrance. Throughout the rest of the space, a combination of home-like features with distinctive artistic elements reflected the influence of the COVID pandemic and work from home on the design.
White or gray paint on most of the walls allowed the brighter colors of the SatinTech™ etched glass panels and exhibited artworks to pop. Other wall surfaces (such as metal access panels) were visually softened with a custom millwork of pale rift-cut oak. A garden for meditation was created on the outdoor terrace, and “pockets” of comfortable seating were provided for indoor socializing. Even the required security features were used to create the atmosphere of a cultured home. “We created an art gallery out of the airlock spaces,” noted Gisue Hariri.
Overall, this forward-looking approach resulted in the complete transformation of a classic city office environment. As the Abram family looks to the future, Gisue Hariri reflected on the project with pride. In keeping with her firm’s track record as pioneers, their latest project has created a “safe, healthy, and inspiring space unlike any other office you have known. Sustainable, timeless, and a work of art.”
Katherine Bonamo and Thomas Renner write on building, construction, engineering, architecture, and other topics for trade industry publications throughout the United States.