432 Park Avenue, New York
Awarded Best Residential Interior - ARCHMARATHON 2020

Conceived by architect Rafael Viñoly—432 Park Avenue is the tallest residential skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. This apartment designed by John Beckmann and his design firm Axis Mundi has the most breathtaking views in Manhattan.

Known for their glamorous low-slung aesthetic, Axis Mundi took the challenge to design the residence for an American client living in China with a family of four, and an important art collection (including the likes of Cy Twombly, Gerhard Richter, Susan Frecon, Vik Muniz and Lisette Schumacher, among others).

In the dining room, a Bocci ‘28 Chandelier’ hangs above an intricate marble and brass table called ‘Stealth’ by Henge, with ceramics by John Born. Entering the main living area, a monumental ‘Let it Be’ sectional from Poltrona Frau sits on a silver custom-designed Joseph Carini wool and silk rug. A ‘Surface’ coffee table designed by Vincent Van Duysen and ‘Fulgens’ armchairs in saddle leather by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia create the penultimate space for entertaining.

The sensuous red library features custom-designed bookshelves in burnished brass and walnut, as a ‘Wing Sofa’ in red velvet from Flexform floats atop a ‘Ponti’ area rug from the Rug Company. ‘JJ Chairs’ in Mongolian lamb fur from B&B Italia add a rock and roll swagger to the space.

The kitchen accentuates the grey marble flooring and all-white color palette, with the exception of a few light wood and marble details. A dramatic ‘Tubular Horizontal’ chandelier in hand-burnished brass, designed by Henge, hovers above the kitchen island, while a floating marble ledge spans the window opening. It is a serene spot to enjoy a morning cappuccino while pondering the ever-changing skyline of the Metropolis.

In a counter intuitive move, Beckmann decided to make the gallery dark by finishing the walls in a smoked lacquered plaster with hints of mica, which add sparkle and glitter. Three ‘Atomic’ suspension lamps from DelightFULL lend some retro-future counterpoint.

John Beckmann made sure to include luxurious fabrics from Christopher Hyland and a deft mix of textures and colors to the design. In the master bedroom, the 'Dream' headboard system by Marcel Wanders in leather and velvet panels from Poliform is a bold gesture, while the luxurious bedding from Frette compliment it. Dupre Lafon lounge chairs in a buttery leather rest on a custom golden silk carpet by Joseph Carini, while a pair of ‘Cross’ parchment bedside lamps by Jean Michel Frank complete the design.

The facade is treated with an LED lighting system which changes colors and can be controlled remotely by the clients from the street with their iPhones.

Video: https://vimeo.com/376582140

Design: John Beckmann, with Hannah LaSota
Photography: Durston Saylor
Contractor: Cardinal Construction
Size: 4000 sf
(Flexform, B&B Italia, Joseph Carini Rugs, Moooi, Bocci 28, Cassina, Poltrona Frau, Poliform, Living Divani, Flavorpaper, The Rug Company, Henge, Serge Mouille, Charlotte Perriand, Christopher Hyland Fabrics, Delightfull, Hudson Furniture, Mattaliano, Roll & Hill, Avery Boardman, Maya Romanoff, KLUS Lighting, Frette, John Born ceramics courtesy of Collection 20C)