Furniture company Vitra has opened a new showroom at 46 Bowery in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
The showroom occupies a 582m² loft on the third floor, overlooks the Manhattan Bridge, and is designed as a multifunctional space for showcasing collections from Vitra and its subsidiary Artek. The layout is open, with a concrete floor and exposed ceiling infrastructure, allowing for flexible partitioning to accommodate events and exhibitions.
A bar counter made of light-coloured terrazzo serves as a gathering place. The bar is designed with two distinct heights to facilitate flexible seating, including a lower section that accommodates wheelchair access. A relief of Dorothy Becker’s Uten.Silo storage systems is displayed as a sculptural installation on the wall opposite the bar.
Behind the bar, a tiled backdrop incorporates tiles from historic Alvar Aalto projects, linking the showroom to a rich heritage, with Artek being the brand that was originally set up to market Aalto’s furniture. The darker tiles are sourced from the Kaufmann Conference Room, completed by Aalto in 1964 at the United Nations Plaza in New York.
The initial presentation in the showroom highlights both iconic Vitra products and new collaborations. Key pieces on display include the Anagram Sofa by Panter&Tourron. Additionally, a selection of tables and seating by Jean Prouvé showcases Vitra’s mid-century roots. The showroom also features Artek’s Stool 60.
The showroom is intended to serve as a hub for New York’s design community, providing a venue for exploration of colour, material and products.
