John Barrett Salon by Ronnette Riley Architect | World Design Awards 2020

Ronnette Riley Architect: Honorable Mention of World Design Awards 2020. The former sleek, glass, chrome and lavender salon was housed on the penthouse floor and former residence of Bergdorf Goodman. Organized as a series of rooms, each provided a different service. There was limited natural light from the residential scale windows.

The new salon is located two blocks away. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto East 57th Street and the Four Seasons Hotel. The client wanted a homey atmosphere, so reception is designed as a living room with floor lamps, area rug and vintage modern furniture. Skin-care, beauty products, art books and jewelry are on offer. The client’s personal artwork is displayed along with rotating art exhibits.

The salon is a modern gathering space for patrons and events. The open layout table arrangements and custom bookshelves with an eclectic book collection are inspired by refectory & reading tables and create a new temple to self-edification in a reading room of sorts.

The main salon is ringed with red terrazzo floors inset with wide-plank oak. Squiggly LED light fixtures, decorative bubble lamps and track lighting illuminate the space. An antique hand-blown glass chandelier reigns over the make-up area.

The colorists are arranged by the windows to take advantage of the abundant natural light while styling stations are scattered throughout. Hair-washing is separated by a clear glass wall. A private VIP room and manicure/pedicure room are located off the main salon. A small pantry provides gourmet fare from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon.

The salon was designed in six weeks and constructed in eight weeks.

Firm: Ronnette Riley Architect
Architect: Jennifer Greene
Category: Commercial Interior Built

Project Location: New York City
Team: Ronnette Riley, FAIA, LEED AP, NCIDQ, Principal; Yumi Moriwaki, AIA, LEED AP, Project Architect; Andres Lizarraga, Assoc. AIA, Project Manager; Rachel Schad
Country: United States
Photography ©Credit: Peter Aaron

Ronnette Riley Architect is recognized for integrating both innovative and traditional materials and methods into intelligent and well-crafted solutions and for our ability to manage the collaborative process of construction on time and within budget. The firm’s reputation for comfortable design and technical proficiency has led to many repeat clients and a steady growth in educational, healthcare, institutional, government, retail and commercial projects. Founded in NYC in 1987, the 100% Woman-Owned firm has earned a reputation among large and small clients for the vigor of its architectural and interior design work and the rigor of its follow-through.