elemental

04/16/2026

This project in Sardinia by elemental is the adaptation of a utility building set among abandoned olive trees to serve as a country home. With a limited budget and working with local building methods, this was a collaboration with the owner to create a living and working space that demonstrates careful attention to its own form, space and detail, while drawing much of its character from its particular sense of place – land forms, plants and the interaction with climate.

02/24/2026

This 1,300 square foot loft interior was designed by elemental for a pair of artists in NYC’s west village.
The original duplex, designed by Richard Meier in the 1960’s, was modified to cater to the residents’ artistic needs, while preserving the original character of the industrial building, including its 1900s plasterwork and expansive river views.
The design strategy focused on respecting the original building and Meier’s layout, while updating the space to meet the artists’ tastes and evolving lifestyles. The lower level of the duplex features the couple’s bedroom, bathroom, and a drawing studio, adorned with an extensive collection of early-American folk art. The main floor, accessed by Meier-designed stairs, comprises a digital and photo studio, living and dining area, powder room, and kitchen.
The design highlights the view from the building’s interior courtyard to the south, to the Hudson River and Whitney Museum to the north. To create contrast with the rich colors and textures of the lower level, the upper level is predominantly white and showcases earth-toned
Aboriginal Australian artifacts, along with modern artwork.

06/05/2025

GRC's Case Study specifically for Elemental's restoration of Shepard Hall at City College prove that these technologies are still an important component in current and future restoration projects:
https://www.power-sprays.com/shepard-hall/

© Elemental Architecture, LLC. GRC Project Case Study New York, USA GRC Project Case Study Since 1907, Shepard Hall has stood as the centrepiece of City College of New York’s main

04/28/2025

IM=X Pilates’ Clinton Hill ( )studio occupies a thoughtfully composed interior within one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The space unfolds as a study in clarity and refinement, where a minimalist approach orchestrates a dynamic interplay of textures, forms, and light. Natural materials and curated sensory experiences are expressed through a restrained palette, evoking a sense of tranquility, focus, and understated luxury.

The layout emphasizes seamless flow and intuitive circulation, balancing privacy and connection with architectural precision. Distinct spaces—including the reception, studio areas, and amenities—are meticulously integrated, each expressing a quiet sophistication that mirrors the studio’s holistic philosophy. Subtle illumination, juxtaposed with abundant southern daylight, articulates sculptural forms, while custom millwork and tactile finishes—white oak, Riverstone, and limewash—anchor the experience in material richness.

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04/09/2025

Elemental’s recent project, for the primary living space in a Soho loft with 14-foot ceilings, replaced continuous white-painted cabinets along 52 feet of windowed wall. The layout of the cabinets bore no relationship to the windows and was visually unconnected with anything else is the in the loft. The cabinets enclosed three fin-tube radiators with limited grilles under three of the seven 6-foot by 10-foot windows resulting in significant drafts during the cold months. The goal was to unify the space by the choice of materials and layout based on the window module, and improve the heat distribution. The overall approach called for a solution in which the cabinets remain in the background but demonstrate a strong design sensibility. Heat distribution was achieved by creating a continuous insulated plenum at the back of the cabinets. The top of the plenum is a strip of dark wood matching the windows and having CNC milled openings. The rest of the millwork is maple to match the existing floor. The cabinet pulls are concealed grooves in the tops of the doors with the locations marked by small inlaid circles of dark wood.

04/11/2022

We are pleased to announce, "Nivola and New York. From the Olivetti Showroom to the Unbelievable City" at Museo Nivola, co-curated by Elemental's Principal, Carl Stein: https://museonivola.it/en/mostra-evento/nivola-new-york-dallo-showroom-olivetti-alla-citta-incredibile-eng/

Nivola & New York. From the Olivetti Showroom to the Unbelievable City Museo Nivola, Orani April 15 – July 15, 2022 Opening April 15, 12 AM Curated by Giuliana Altea, Antonella Camarda, Luca Cheri, Carl Stein Costantino Nivola (Orani, 1911 – East Hampton 1988), a leading figure in 20th-century I...

02/07/2022

Some astute thoughts and observations by elemental's friend, Liz Waytkus (Executive Director of DOCOMOMO US), on the unfortunate demolition of The Geller House and the challenges of preserving postwar architecture: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/06/arts/design/marcel-breuer-geller-house-demolition.html?smid=url-share

The Geller house embodied the optimistic, now-vanished values of postwar suburbia: technological progress and a lifestyle built around children’s needs.

06/07/2021

At the recent lunch held for the opening of the "Nivola: Sandscapes" exhibition at Magazzino Italian Art, we had the pleasure of sitting across from Fabrizio Di Michele, the recently arrived Consulate General of Italy in New York. Not surprisingly, conversation was largely about Tino Nivola and his sculpture at the Combined Police/Fire Facilities on East 67th Street came up--our last collaboration and Tino’s last public commission in the US.

The Consul General reached out to the NYPD 19th Precinct and arranged a visit to see the six bronzes and two out of three free standing sculptures (the third is in storage). On June 4th, Fabrizio and Riccardo Cursi, Deputy Consul and Elemental's Carl Stein were met by Deputy Inspector Melissa Eger, the Commanding Officer of the 19th Precinct, Detective Michael Lombardi and Officer Anthony Nuccio, the unofficial historian of the one-nine. The original setting for the three free standing sculptures was compromised when contemporary fire suppression equipment was installed at the fuel pumps. One purpose of the visit was to see whether a simple redesign could accommodate these pieces so they could be seen as intended. Stay tuned!

Special thank you to the constant support and expertise of the Museo Nivola.

Riccardo Cursi -Deputy Consul
Melissa Eger - Deputy Inspector, Commanding Officer 19th Precinct
Fabrizio Di Michele - Consul General
Carl Stein - Principal, Elemental Architecture
Anthony Nuccio - Digital Communications Officer (and Nivola champion)
Michael Lombardi - Detective

06/02/2021

Our practice has a long and deep connection with Costintino Nivola dating back to the 1950’s. Through the efforts of many--including the Nivola family, Museo Nivola , The Cooper Union, and ourselves--scholarship, interest, and preservation efforts have been revived for the work of this important Modernist. We’re happy to see Tino’s legacy preserved and introduced to a new generation

Some 30 years after his death, Costantino Nivola’s relatives team up with Magazzino Italian Art to restore the midcentury artist’s legacy.

03/18/2021

Elemental is in discussions with several parties involved with the restoration of the playground at Stephen Wise Towers. We hope that a solution can be developed that respects the original collaboration of Costantino Nivola, sculptor, and Richard Stein, architect. When completed in 1964, the project, which was made possible by a grant from the Kaplan Foundation, was widely recognized as a breakthrough in public art and design.

Some art historians and the museum dedicated to the artist’s legacy say the Costantino Nivola artwork has been damaged. NYCHA says it will restore the works.

02/18/2021

https://resnicow.com/client-news/magazzino-announces-spring-2021-program

The upcoming Costantino Nivola exhibition at the Magazzino Italian Art will include works from the collections of Elemental's Principals Carl Stein and Tom Abraham. Carl Stein is currently representing the Museo Nivola in the U.S.

Magazzino Italian Art announces today a new slate of programming to premiere throughout the winter and spring. Including digital programs and in-person exhibitions, the museum will host an artist talk with Mel Bochner, a scholarly lecture series examining collaboration in the Arte Povera movement, a...