ASSOULINE PUBLISHING
New York, New York
Founded in Paris in the early 1990s by Prosper and Martine Assouline, Assouline has redefined the book as both a compelling narrative and a beautiful object. Today, the publishing house encompasses approximately 1,700 titles across three principal collections, a global network of boutiques, bespoke library-curation services, and collaborations with leading artists, photographers, writers, and designers.
For its 10,000-square-foot Park Avenue headquarters, Assouline commissioned BR Design to create a clean, open, and stylish workplace inspired by the art galleries, fashion showrooms, retail boutiques, and luxury restaurants its readers frequent. The program includes reception, open and private offices, executive offices, a conference room, studio, pantry, and restrooms. Open and enclosed spaces were carefully aligned to balance Manhattan skyline views with bookshelves and displays, while a tailored furniture plan incorporated Assouline’s existing art, antiques, and furnishings.
The exposed waffle-slab ceiling establishes a strong architectural rhythm throughout the open workspace. Minimalist furniture and industrial lighting are layered with velvet upholstery, designer sofas, flea-market finds, personal objects, and stacks of books, creating an eclectic dialogue between Assouline’s “paper architecture” and the surrounding skyline. A palette of the brand’s signature taupe, gray, and deep red completes this distinctive environment.
The project was featured in the October 2022 edition of Vogue Polska.