116 University Place: Standing Out While Fitting In
/Architect Morris Adjmi has been called “The Brick-Master.” His luxury condominium creation at 116 University Place in New York City certainly lends credence to that title. It uses an understated canvas of buff-gray brick from manufacturer Glen-Gery as a background for dramatic, deeply-corbeled, oversized window openings to create depth and shadow like only brick can.
In fact, Adjmi highlighted this particular talent of brick in a 2022 interview with CityReality saying, “One of the things I always try to do is create a building animated by shadow and light. Brick lends to creating that kind of detail that makes a building feel alive and feel contextual that it has substance, it’s not just a thin veil.”
The facades of the multi-family structure at 116 University Place would not be mistaken for a “thin veil.” The mass and permanence of brick is apparent even from the perspective of its disproportionately narrow width, holding its own in its corner position and anchoring the block. It’s strength is apparent even while its airy color, generous glazing, and playful shadows keep things light.
In reference to this structure and his other brick masterpieces, Adjmi further explains his fascination with brick in the CityReality interview in this way: “I have always admired brick. Hand-pressed brick was one of the first man-made building materials dating back to the Romans. Similarly, there are amazing brick and mud structures from Africa, as well as Lewerentz’s exceptional use of rough brick in Sweden. Its past and potential are extremely vast and exciting.”
Based on his past, there’s plenty of reason to be excited about future designs in brick from Mr. Adjmi.
All photos by Jimi Billingsley.
