Original featureIn This Exquisitely Detailed Duplex the Sofa Legs Are Made of Glass and the Closet Doors of Embroidered CashmereArchitectural Digest · 15 October 2026 →

Architectural Proportions and Flow

The foundation of the residence relies on the classic spatial hierarchy characteristic of landmark Park Avenue buildings. Working alongside Ferguson & Shamamian, the architectural intervention focused on refining the internal proportions to create a seamless dialogue between formal entertaining spaces and private quarters. Every threshold, moulding and ceiling height was calibrated to support a sophisticated art and furniture collection.

Rather than imposing a radical modern layout, the architectural strategy respects the traditional envelope while modernising the infrastructure. Natural light is channeled effectively through restored and enlarged window apertures, illuminating gallery spaces that serve as the connective tissue of the duplex.

Uncompromising Materiality

Julie Hillman’s interior scheme is distinguished by an intense focus on custom fabrication and rare materials. Eschewing off-the-shelf luxury, the designer commissioned bespoke pieces where ordinary structural components are reinterpreted as art objects. Notable examples include custom seating featuring cast-glass legs and bedroom storage concealed behind doors upholstered in embroidered cashmere.

The material palette balances tactile warmth with rigorous geometric restraint. Silk velvet, patinated bronze, unmarked timber and custom plasterwork feature prominently throughout the rooms. Each surface has been curated to invite physical interaction, proving that high-end residential interiors can remain liveable while executing highly complex artisanal techniques.

The Collaboration of Architecture and Interior

The success of the duplex stems from an integrated approach where the interior architecture and decoration were conceived concurrently. Ferguson & Shamamian established the architectural volumes with a traditional sensibility, allowing Hillman to layer texture and contemporary furnishings without visual competition.

This methodology reflects a wider shift in prime real estate development, where high-net-worth buyers increasingly demand turnkey properties that are entirely bespoke. By engaging top-tier design talent to execute custom elements down to the hardware and textiles, such residences achieve a level of individualisation that standardized luxury developments cannot replicate.

Related reads

• In This Exquisitely Detailed Duplex the Sofa Legs Are Made of Glass and the Closet Doors of Embroidered Cashmere (Architectural Digest, 15 Oct 2026)

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