Architecture News

It's Showtime at Designer Show House in NYC

By Jenna M. McKnight

Michele Busiri-Vici, Guelfo Carpegna, and Ulderico Micara'of the New York firm Space 4 Architecture'were charged with creating a room that evokes the spirit of <i>Californication</i>, a show about a s — Showtime House 2010
Space 4 Architecture
Michele Busiri-Vici, Guelfo Carpegna, and Ulderico Micara'of the New York firm Space 4 Architecture'were charged with creating a room that evokes the spirit of *Californication*, a show about a struggling writer. Their answer: 'A State of Mind,' which features mirror flooring and a glass desk.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Eric Chan, Bradley Price, Jeff Miller, and Peng Zhao, of ECCO Design, created the <i>Californication</i> lounge. The room features the 'Ribbon' dimmable desk lamp with cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs, — Showtime House 2010
ECCO Design
Eric Chan, Bradley Price, Jeff Miller, and Peng Zhao, of ECCO Design, created the *Californication* lounge. The room features the 'Ribbon' dimmable desk lamp with cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs, by ECCO, along with configurable benches by Miller.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Robert Bristow and Pilar Proffitt, of Connecticut-based POESIS, designed most of the furnishings in this loft space inspired by <i>Weeds</i>, a show about a drug-dealing suburban mother. Featured here — Showtime House 2010
POESIS
Robert Bristow and Pilar Proffitt, of Connecticut-based POESIS, designed most of the furnishings in this loft space inspired by *Weeds*, a show about a drug-dealing suburban mother. Featured here is the 'Stash Box Sculpture.'
Photo © Jamie Strecker

For the <i>Weeds</i>, lounge, John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon created a fantastical space that seems apropos, given the show's subject matter. The room features digitally produced 'Wallskins' desig — Showtime House 2010
John Loecke Inc.
For the *Weeds*, lounge, John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon created a fantastical space that seems apropos, given the show's subject matter. The room features digitally produced 'Wallskins' designed by the duo.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Brooks Atwood, of POD Design + Media, and Daniel Perlin, of Perlin Studios, conceived the rooftop inspired by <i>United States of Tara</i>'a show about a housewife with multiple personalities. Landsca — Showtime House 2010
POD Design + Media/Perlin Studios
Brooks Atwood, of POD Design + Media, and Daniel Perlin, of Perlin Studios, conceived the rooftop inspired by *United States of Tara*'a show about a housewife with multiple personalities. Landscaping was by Jungle Design.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

The <i>United States of Tara</i> rooftop was conceived by Brooks Atwood, of POD Design + Media, and Daniel Perlin, of Perlin Studios. The sculptural wooden panels were fabricated by FabLab at the NJIT — Showtime House 2010
POD Design + Media/Perlin Studios
The *United States of Tara* rooftop was conceived by Brooks Atwood, of POD Design + Media, and Daniel Perlin, of Perlin Studios. The sculptural wooden panels were fabricated by FabLab at the NJIT College of Architecture and Design.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Showtime House 2010
Bruce Mau Design
The show house occupies the top three floors of the 48-story Cassa Hotel and Residences. Bruce Mau Design transformed the stairwells between the floors into colorful transitional spaces.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

A neon cross illuminates a 'media room' inspired by <i>The Borgias</i>, a new show about an infamous Italian Renaissance family. Marc Thorpe, of Third Eye Studios, and David Schwarz, of Hush Studios, — Showtime House 2010
Third Eye Studios/Hush Studios
A neon cross illuminates a 'media room' inspired by *The Borgias*, a new show about an infamous Italian Renaissance family. Marc Thorpe, of Third Eye Studios, and David Schwarz, of Hush Studios, designed the sparsely furnished space.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

For <i>The Borgias</i> great room, Keith Baltimore, of Baltimore Design Group, created a great room that evokes a sinister family in 15th-century Italy. Features include a cross-shaped rug and velvet — Showtime House 2010
Baltimore Design Group
For *The Borgias* great room, Keith Baltimore, of Baltimore Design Group, created a great room that evokes a sinister family in 15th-century Italy. Features include a cross-shaped rug and velvet drapery.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera, of BG Studio International, designed several spaces (including this hallway) inspired by <i>The Big C</i>, a comedy-drama about a woman enduring cancer. — Showtime House 2010
BG Studio International
Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera, of BG Studio International, designed several spaces (including this hallway) inspired by *The Big C*, a comedy-drama about a woman enduring cancer.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

A swinging sofa with lucite rods is the centerpiece of <i>The Big C</i>, 'Clarity Lounge,' by Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera. Other whimsical details include a Swarovski ceiling fixture, a compass — Showtime House 2010
BG Studio International
A swinging sofa with lucite rods is the centerpiece of *The Big C*, 'Clarity Lounge,' by Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera. Other whimsical details include a Swarovski ceiling fixture, a compass rug, and artificial-grass flooring.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Live plants and a 3D screen adorn one wall in the <i>The Big C</i> 'Clarity Lounge.' — Showtime House 2010
BG Studio International
Live plants and a 3D screen adorn one wall in the *The Big C* 'Clarity Lounge.'
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera also conceived <i>The Big C</i> 'Contemplation Room.' — Showtime House 2010
BG Studio International
Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera also conceived *The Big C* 'Contemplation Room.'
Photo © Jamie Strecker

A designer from MIT presents an interactive coat inspired by <i>The Big C</i>. — Showtime House 2010
Stephen Chung/Matthias Altwicker
A designer from MIT presents an interactive coat inspired by *The Big C*.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

The architect Stephen Chung, of Boston, and AB Architekten's Matthias Altwicker designed <i>The Big C</i>'s master bedroom. The nearly all-white room contains color-changing light strips. — Showtime House 2010
Stephen Chung/Matthias Altwicker
The architect Stephen Chung, of Boston, and AB Architekten's Matthias Altwicker designed *The Big C*'s master bedroom. The nearly all-white room contains color-changing light strips.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Jeff Andrews Design created 'Refuge,' inspired by <i>Dexter</i>, a show about a serial killer who only kills murderers. — Showtime House 2010
Jeff Andrews Design
Jeff Andrews Design created 'Refuge,' inspired by *Dexter*, a show about a serial killer who only kills murderers.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Gregory Okshteyn, of Studios GO, created the <i>Dexter</i>-inspired 'gaming room.' It includes a custom-designed love seat and speakers embedded in glass panels. — Showtime House 2010
Studios GO
Gregory Okshteyn, of Studios GO, created the *Dexter*-inspired 'gaming room.' It includes a custom-designed love seat and speakers embedded in glass panels.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Interior designer Katie Lydon created a lounge that takes its cue from <i>Nurse Jackie</i>, a show about a drug-addicted emergency room nurse. Glass jars are filled with pills, and the walls feature h — Showtime House 2010
Katie Lydon Interiors
Interior designer Katie Lydon created a lounge that takes its cue from *Nurse Jackie*, a show about a drug-addicted emergency room nurse. Glass jars are filled with pills, and the walls feature hand-stenciled syringes and pill bottles.
Photo © Jamie Strecker

Laura Bohn opted to transform the <i>Nurse Jackie</i> bathroom into a confessional. — Showtime House 2010
Laura Bohn Design Associates
Laura Bohn opted to transform the *Nurse Jackie* bathroom into a confessional.
Photo © Andrew French

Laura Bohn created the <i>Nurse Jackie</i> master bedroom. The design obviously takes its cue from an ER room, complete with IV bags filled with' tequila! — Showtime House 2010
Laura Bohn Design Associates
Laura Bohn created the *Nurse Jackie* master bedroom. The design obviously takes its cue from an ER room, complete with IV bags filled with' tequila!
Photo © Andrew French

This year’s Showtime House is located in the Enrique Norten-designed Cassa Hotel and Residences in Midtown Manhattan. Click on the slide show icon to see images.

Showtime Networks has unveiled its third annual show house in Manhattan, just in time for the launch of the fall television season.

This year’s house, located in the top three floors of a new Enrique Norten-designed tower, features the work of 15 design studios. Each team was charged with creating a room that takes its cue from a Showtime program, including the comedy-dramas Dexter (about a good-guy serial killer) and Weeds (about a drug-dealing suburban mother). Other programs include Californication, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, and two new series, The Big C and The Borgias.

The Showtime House is on view through October 27 and is open to the public on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15, with proceeds benefiting the Harlem Children’s Zone. The house also will be featured in a half-hour program to air on Showtime.

to see a slide show. And for more information, visit www.showtimehouse.com.

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Jenna M. McKnight is an award-winning journalist and RECORD's former news editor. She has held senior positions at print and online publications and writes regularly about architecture and design.