Overview

Drawing on examples of their own instantly recognisable Minimalist-inflected designs, often evoking the work of Donald Judd, celebrated architects Messana O’Rorke demonstrate how to create a serene haven for modern living. Founded in 1996 by Brian Messana and Toby O’Rorke in New York City, Messana O’Rorke describe their particular brand of minimalist modernism as 'pragmatism', with their approach to design capturing as much usable square footage as possible, rigorously limiting the number of interior elements, and extracting maximum impact from the chosen interventions. This distinctive approach extends to their entire material vocabulary: white walls stripped of mouldings, with recessed lighting at their perimeter; honey-toned oak floors; highly polished stainless steel railings and hardware; and marble fixtures and countertops and dark limestone flooring in the bathrooms and kitchen. With their masterful manipulation of space and judicious selection of materials – oak flooring wire-brushed and lightly limed to contrast white walls but also to bring out its vivid grain, simultaneously conveying the woodworker’s craft and the rawness of nature; statuary marble in a kitchen chosen for the painterly quality of the veining; architectural photography and ceramic objects adding sophisticated drama – Messana O’Rorke create complete environments of simplicity and serenity.

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The architects' projects span a wide spectrum of residential and commercial assignments in multiple geographies-city, country, mountain, desert, coastal. Yet even as they adapt their fundamental design vocabulary to address differences in program and context, Messana O'Rorke's signature remains unmistakable in the ways they carve space and light. Their designs simultaneously foster both contemplation and invigoration, repose and action. There is no straining for theatrical effect, no tortured architectural calisthenics, simply a search for order, clarity, and beauty. -ARCH DAILY

The architects' projects span a wide spectrum of residential and commercial assignments in multiple geographies-city, country, mountain, desert, coastal. Yet even as they adapt their fundamental design vocabulary to address differences in program and context, Messana O'Rorke's signature remains unmistakable in the ways they carve space and light. Their designs simultaneously foster both contemplation and invigoration, repose and action. There is no straining for theatrical effect, no tortured architectural calisthenics, simply a search for order, clarity, and beauty. -ARCH DAILY Award-winning architecture firm Messana O'Rorke was founded by Brian Messana and Toby O'Rorke in 1996. Since then, they've designed residential and commercial buildings across the globe from slick city homes to desert abodes. Though each project is incredibly unique, the duo's signature style remains: quality, minimalist spaces with a refined simplicity and tranquility. It only made sense that their debut monograph Messana O'Rorke: Building Blocks, authored by Architectural Digest's veteran west coast editor Mayer Rus, would celebrate their most distinguished projects around the world. -ROBB REPORT The architects' projects span a wide spectrum of residential and commercial assignments in multiple geographies-city, country, mountain, desert, coastal. Yet even as they adapt their fundamental design vocabulary to address differences in program and context, Messana O'Rorke's signature remains unmistakable in the ways they carve space and light. Their designs simultaneously foster both contemplation and invigoration, repose and action. There is no straining for theatrical effect, no tortured architectural calisthenics, simply a search for order, clarity, and beauty. -ARCH DAILY

Author Information

Mayer Rus is the West Coast editor of Architectural Digest. New York-based architects Brian Messana and Toby O’Rorke founded Messana O’Rorke in 1996.

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