Architect Visit: Delson or Sherman Architects in Brooklyn

Perla Delson and Jeff Sherman–who met as classmates at the Yale School of Architecture–set up their Brooklyn-based architecture firm in 1997, inspired by the belief that “good architecture makes life better by improving interaction between people, by creating more beautiful environments, and by making daily existence more graceful.” Delson or Sherman Architects approaches each project as an opportunity for creating an original design; to that end, one of their strategies is to collaborate with talented local artisans. “Working with artists and specialists has allowed us to extend our design intent beyond the usual architectural limits,” they say. Below is a sampling of Delson or Sherman projects featuring five of their favorite New York- and Brooklyn-based artisans.

Above: “For a foyer screen, we commissioned glass artist Frank Close (212-736-9616) to create a stained glass wall made of colored roundel and spun molten glass suspended in cemented leading. The partition functions as a room divider while allowing daylight to shine through.”

Above: “A skilled landscaper is a valuable resource; finding one with a shared design sensibility is a real coup. Mac Carbonell of Verdant Gardens (917-817-9158) understood the elements of this Carroll Gardens roof deck at first glance. His choice of plants bring the deck elements–raised ipe planters, sunken border, and cable trellis–to life.”

Above: “Elodie Blanchard of Elastic Co. (917-676-0478) is a gifted creator of custom draperies and window treatments. For this renovation project, we asked her to create window coverings combining sheer cloth for sky views and rip-stop nylon for street level privacy and light diffusion. The black grommets play off the industrial character of the converted warehouse.”

Above: “Hiroko Takeda (917-676-8329) is a textile artisan who is adept at integrating her work into architectural projects. We commissioned her to create a woven backdrop for this waiting room alcove; the end product fulfills several goals at once: the weaving absorbs sound, it compliments the office’s art collection, and it’s decorative.”

Above: “We wanted the cabinetry in this open kitchen in a prewar building to look like furniture. Stephen Reinert of Polygon Projects in Brooklyn (718-852-4466) is our go-to cabinetmaker for crisply detailed carpentry work.”