Architectural Digest Feature
All photos courtesy of Architectural Digest. All design credits: Olson Kundig Architects.
“Finishing Touches.” Filmed and edited by Garrett Parker Productions.
Interior Design Lead: Debby Kennedy, Olson Kundig Architects
Interior Design: Amanda Chenoweth, Olson Kundig Architects
Steel Design + Fabrication: Cole Whitmer, 12th Avenue Iron
Additional Steel Design: Nicholas Kramer, Hank Studio
Leather Design + Fabrication: Nicholas Kramer, Hank Studio
Key Challenge
5 years in the making, the Collywood House was a top focus for the designers at Olson Kundig Architects. Lead designer, Debbie Kennedy, asked me to help conceive of a large wine rack that celebrated raw materials, nodded at classic mid century designs, and was made well enough to house a world-class wine collection. She also wanted to create a baby brother to the large cellar rack to be featured in the kitchen as a hint at what was hidden in the cellar, and another small bench cushion in the living room that featured the same material. She had a vision for a look and feel, and we let the material and craft guide the path forward.
Approach
I first created a series of prototypes using steel tubing and different types and cuts of leather. What held the bottles at the right angle? What temper of leather sank between the steel, what flowed? We then tested the prototypes in cellar climates to see how the leather reacted with the wine labels.
We finally landed on a design that featured un-colored vegetable tanned bridle leather that will darken and patina with age. We built the racks to span from floor to ceiling and created a few slots for magnum bottles. I worked directly with a Mexican tannery to procure 30 double bends (full hides) without scars or blemishes, which took over 3 months of patience. The leather was prepped at my New Mexico studio and assembled at 12th Avenue Iron in Seattle before being shipped to the site in LA.