Hospitality Design - June/July 2021 - 40

interview on our radar
Tal Schori and Rustam-Marc Mehta
Cofounders
GRT Architects
Tal Schori and Rustam-Marc Mehta have been collaborators since
they met in third grade. Now, the founding partners behind Brooklyn,
New York-based studio GRT Architects, which launched in 2014,
continue to apply a scholarly approach to their work through research,
discourse, and an appreciation for history. " There is an att itude or
sensibility that runs through our work, but half of any project is a
reaction to the site, client, program, historic context, " Mehta says. " We
don't believe in bringing one identifi able style to each. "
On early design ambitions
Schori managed a nonprofi t gallery and Mehta designed exhibitions
for the Brooklyn Museum before they pursued architecture fulltime.
" We knew we wanted to be in the design world, but neither of us
presumed architect was the only way to get there, " Schori says. " Our
instinct to work in the arts, publishing, and adjacent fi elds came from
a suspicion that there may be more than one way to build a career. "
Following graduate studies in architecture at Yale, the pair blazed
separate paths in the industry, with Schori joining Michael Maltzan
Architects and Deborah Berke Partners and Mehta cutt ing his teeth at
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. As the seeds of GRT ruminated, Schori
and Mehta made work-life balance a priority. " Neither of us would still
be architects had we worked at fi rms with unsustainable culture, " says
Mehta. " We seek to pay this philosophy forward. "
On their big break
In 2015, GRT gained att ention for its expansion of the Fashion Tower
lobby in Manhatt an's Garment District. " We found the architect's
original drawings for this beautiful Art Deco building and noted
much damage had come to it over the years as it lacked landmark
protection, " Mehta says. " We coupled a very technical, historical, literal
restoration of the building's exterior with a very contemporary, CNCfabricated
interior. " For its eff orts on the expansion, the young fi rm
received an AIA Award for Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation,
as well as an accolade from the Marble Institute.
The Fashion Tower lobby in New York is clad in pleated
Calacatta marble and bronze-tinted aluminum
The perimeter of Manhattan's Bourke Street Bakery is lined
with custom banquettes with a deep green leather back
Signature style
Across its diverse catalog, GRT demonstrates a singular approach to
both hospitality and residential projects. " Making time to research
and learn the history of a site has always resulted in unexpectedly
rich results, " Mehta says. Adds Schori: " We have no qualms about the
subjective and qualitative nature of design, and we enjoy the ambiguity
that comes from interpreting the facts into a coherent design. "
What's next
GRT has made a mark on the New York restaurant scene with
outdoor dining concepts for Don Angie and Quality Bistro.
However, the fi rm has not outgrown its prowess for adaptive
reuse and revitalization. " We're continuing to work in a historic
context with the restoration of two of the oldest landmarked
Greek revival townhouses in Brooklyn, which are being adapted
to meet Passivhaus energy standards, " Mehta says. The fi rm also
has several product collections on the boards. In addition to a
line of architectural hardware for Ize and custom residential and
commercial furniture, GRT plans to explore " some experimental
prototypes kicking around the shop, " Schori adds.
Photos by MICHAEL VAHRENWALD and courtesy of GRT ARCHITECTS
Hospitality Design - June/July 2021

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