How We Innovated & Helped Create a Custom Concrete Install for D.S. & Durga in Williamsburg
When Interior Design Firm, K&Co came to us for this project, we were really excited to help bring their vision to life. They showed us a few ideas they had in mind and mentioned how they wanted to create a continuous line around the small space. One of our favorite parts of this process and what really set it apart from previous projects, was the “concrete play-date” we set up where we were fortunate enough to work side-by-side with the architects from K&CO and owners of D.S. & Durga to test out different colors and pouring techniques. This activity proved to be really rewarding because there was a great synergy between the three parties as we all have a deep appreciation for different materialities & the meanings embedded within them.
The plan was initially to utilize a technique called “rammed earth” for the walls which involves literally compacting dirt, or a damp mixture of soil, into a wall - usually with correct proportions of other “Earth” materials such as clay, sand, gravel, and occasionally a stabilizing material such as cement. Upon visiting the site and taking a deeper look at things however, we soon realized that we had limited room available and had to come up with an alternative method if we wanted to make this happen.
The creation of the stratified linear look, rendered in thin precast panels, was a completely new process for us and getting each layer to line up properly from panel to panel would not be easy.We knew we had our work cut out for us but, like with all things concrete, we welcomed the challenge. Instead, we decided to create 1” inch thick panels with the ‘rammed earth’ effect and then mount them to the walls which would achieve the same effect.
Once we determined the correct course of action and mapped out the most feasible manner in which to complete the project, we were able to lock in and produce some of our best work to date as a studio. Looking back at it, we were really thrilled to get to work with such a diverse, passionate and creative team and we look forward to the opportunity to work on similar projects in the future.
K&CO, founded in 2014, is an Interior Design Firm that serves as a visual thought leader for a range of forward-thinking clients. We specialize in the cross section of design disciplines – carrying rich conceptual ideas into the programming, material selection, and furniture.
D.S. & Durga is a Brooklyn-based fragrance house that was founded in 2008 by David & Kavi Moltz. They seek to “create authentic studies of real world objects, plants, and places” and “weave them into narratives that transport you to far off places, material and imaginary.”