Designer Spotlight

Redtop Architects
Amy Shakespeare AIA, partner
Virginia Kindred AIA, partner
Lauren Rubin AIA, partner

Where did you grow up, and how did it affect your sense of design?
We grew up in largely rural and suburban towns where uninspired track homes, poor or non-existent planning and drab public spaces dominated daily life and culture. In many ways, our minds were the perfect blank slates because of this nondescript environment. Later, through our architectural education and travel abroad, we were inspired by new experiences and observations of creative approaches to architecture, urban design and interior design. These observations, such as the rich use of color and materials, intricate spatial relationships at every scale and historic precedents continue to affect our everyday methodology and design sense.

What do you feel is your best quality as an architect?
Our best quality as architects lies in our ability to take clients' specific needs, reinterpret them and transform them into spaces that are often unexpected. We do this while maintaining a sense of humor and creating a design process that is fun for ourselves, our staff and our clients.

What is the most common design problem you see, and what is the solution?
The most common design problem that we see is the lack of a clear plan; either too many design interactions occurring in a small space or just the opposite: stark minimalism with no rich, inviting qualities. The solution is to have a simple architectural idea that is sensitive to plan relationships. We start with a large scale concept or concepts and reinforce these concepts as the design progresses, right down to the final details and materials.

Where are your favorite places to shop?
Ann Sacks (tile), Stone Source (stone), AF Supply (plumbing fixtures), ABC Carpet and Home (accessories), Jacque Torres (gifts and chocolates), Alessi (housewares) and Issey Miyake (clothing).

What originally inspired you to become an interior architect?
The three partners at Redtop Architects came to the field of architecture and interiors from diverse backgrounds and avenues, but all had the same goal: to enhance daily experiences in an uplifting way through the use of unique light, mood affecting color and form and successful spatial relationships. We believe that architecture has the power to affect the lives of its users. This power and possibility is our inspiration for practicing in the field of architecture.

What are you excited about in the world of design?
We are extremely excited about the move toward sustainability beyond the specification of green materials, especially the use of green mechanical systems. Recently, we were able to complete two geothermal heating and cooling systems; one in a university library and the other in a Manhattan townhouse. We foresee the use of this type of technology expanding in the future, creating exciting results: limited fossil fuel usage, major economic benefits and freeing space in buildings from bulky mechanical equipment.

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