RENOVATION
DIAMOND IN THE HOUSE
Award-winning Sisters
The SIBA office renovation is among the many artistically inspired projects created by Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri, who came to the United States from Iran in the 1970s and opened their firm in 1986. In the male-dominated field of architecture, the sisters have distinguished themselves for their innovative work. “Not much has changed in the field of architecture over the years,’’ Gisue Hariri says. “Architecture is still male-dominated. For two women who are partners and sisters with a practice in New York City, the doors were always closed for trophy projects, awards, lectures and recognition. We expected all of these from the Islamic Republic, but not in the United States. It is shocking to see gender bias, sexism and racism in the professional fields.” Only 17% of registered architects are women, according to the American Institute of Architects. When they started their business, only about 4 percent were women. The sisters’ projects include luxury residential developments, hotels, single-family homes and high-tech, high-concept experiments. They have won multiple awards, including the “2015 American Architecture Award” from The Chicago Athenaeum Museum and the “Academy Award for Architecture” from the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters. Inducted into Interior Design Magazine’s Design Hall of Fame in 2006, they also received the Career Achievement Award from the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans. The New York City Diamond District gem is another project that adds brilliance to their resumé. “Our projects are unique, our concepts are different and our dedication has been rewarded,’’ Gisue Hariri says. “Being women has contributed to our work philosophy, vision and approach to architecture. Being different is an asset, being a woman is a gift, and being Iranian is a cultural strength.” CCR
Project at a Glance What & where: SIBA Corp/SIBA Residences, a 3,000 square foot remodeling project in New York City. The challenge: The client asked HARIRI & HARIRI ARCHITECTURE to create a plan that renovated the space of three distinct and independent businesses while also keeping it secure—one of the businesses is a prominent gem dealer—and was also “timeless, inspiring and healthy.” The solution: Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri are known for their innovative design. For this project, they took advantage of artistic objects and features of the space to create an office that transforms the office into a warm, welcoming art gallery that includes a combination of home-like features with distinctive visual elements. Lighten up: The project includes SatinTech™ etched glass from Bendheim, which resists fingerprints and staining, diffuses light, reduces glare and minimizes reflection. Frameless sliding doors and panels along the perimeter offices are tempered for safety and etched for privacy. Did you know? In creating the artistic appearance, the architects used pieces by Ellsworth Kelly, Josef Albers and Louise Nevelson that were already kept on the premises.
A full wraparound terrace provides access to the outdoors.
Thomas Renner writes on building, construction, architecture and other trade industry topics for publications throughout the United States.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 6, 2022
