--- title: "Axis Mundi — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/axis-mundi-pfvwus-pf~847344046 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~847344046.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Axis Mundi" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e503ef2208d328b9_9031-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "315 West 39th Street Suite 805, New York, New York 10018, United States" latitude: 40.7547 longitude: -73.9925 phone: "(212) 643-2608" website: http://www.axismundi.com rating: 4 review_count: 12 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 1086 last_updated: 2026-09-14 --- # Axis Mundi Original Houzz profile: [Axis Mundi](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/axis-mundi-pfvwus-pf~847344046) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** New York, NY - **Serves:** New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco - **Houzz rating:** 4.0 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2013), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves ICONIC. VISIONARY. CURATED. Axis Mundi is a leading contemporary architecture and design firm specializing in providing personalized high-end residential, commercial and cultural projects. Our completed projects in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York, embody glamour, urbanity and sophistication, while simultaneously functioning practically and offering a highly crafted sense of place. Our work embraces the time that we live in. Axis Mundi was launched by John Beckmann in 2004, who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Design from Parsons School of Design. During his studies, he apprenticed with master minimalist Joseph P. D’Urso and, after graduating, collaborated with other design luminaries. Throughout his career he has honed an astute understanding of the intersections between architecture, design and contemporary art. Beckmann’s honors include a grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts (1998) and a McDowell Colony Fellowship (2010). He both edited and contributed to The Virtual Dimension: Architecture, Representation and Crash Culture (Princeton Architectural Press, 1998), one of the first books to grasp the implications of digital technologies in the fields of architecture and design. Beckmann has also been a visiting critic at Yale School of Architecture, Pratt Institute and Parsons the New School for Design, and he has been a featured guest on Bloomberg TV and NBC's Open House. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Home Restoration - Project Management - Staircase Design - Construction Drawings - Custom Homes - Interior Design ### Areas Served - New York City - Chicago - Los Angeles - San Francisco ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 4.5 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Axis Mundi | | Address | 315 West 39th Street Suite 805, New York, New York 10018, United States | | Phone | (212) 643-2608 | | Website | http://www.axismundi.com | | License Number | New York + Chicago | | Followers on Houzz | 1086 | **Social profiles:** - Blog — www.axismundi.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Axis Mundi](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/axis-mundi-pfvwus-pf~847344046) - **Website:** http://www.axismundi.com - **Phone:** (212) 643-2608 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2019: HGTV 2019 Designer of the Year Awards (Nominee) 2015: HGTV's Fresh Faces of Design (Nominee), 2014: Best of Houzz Design, 2010 MacDowell Colony Fellowship, 1998 Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2013), for Design. **Affiliations** - [Architecture For Humanity](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/architecture-for-humanity-pfvwus-pf~344158813) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 — 12 reviews** ### All 12 reviews **★★★★★ — Alyssa Egnew, Sept. 2018** > I worked at Axis Mundi for three months this summer (2018) and it was a challenging, creative, and yet fun environment to work in. They work hard yet value work-life balance, are personable, and they enjoy creating a genuine learning environment for the interns. I had a wide variety of experiences while working there: hands-on work at sites, creating detailed construction drawings for the contractor, visiting ICFF and high-end vendors at the D&D building, meeting clients, networking with other professionals, contributing to theoretical projects for submission to competitions, gaining exposure to the luxury residential design world, and understanding of how boutique firms are run and operated in NYC. I highly recommend students to intern here if you want to be part of a very creative team that cares about you as a person and as a young professional. It's was an invaluable experience that I would have never received in a classroom. Somethings can't be taught in school—you just must go out and do it. > > I cannot stress enough the creative quality of work they do, they are attentive to details, and are genuinely people-oriented. They encourage their interns to succeed. I felt like my opinion mattered, I was treated with equality, and was able to significantly contribute to the office ethos and the projects. Highly recommended. **★★★★★ — Jayant Ray, Sept. 2017** > John Beckmann is an artist. Had he been a filmmaker, John would be called an auteur: someone who controls every aspect of the job and raises the game of everybody involved in the project. He is vastly knowledgeable about the nitty-gritty of construction and design so he is able to direct contractors and even other architects about both the practical and design aspects of the job. He has photographic recall of your space; this relieved one of my biggest anxieties: that of talking over the phone with someone who cannot always be physically present. This combined with the encyclopedic list of suppliers, materials and design concepts that John has locked away in his brain makes him a hard act to beat. > > John also has the personality of a designer worked out: he knows when to charm and when to be merciless and this works very well with obdurate contractors. I remember when in a commercial job he helped me with, John insisted that a large and expensive soffit be torn out and redone to his specs. At the time even I agreed with the contractor that John was being unreasonable, but John's will eventually prevailed and although it added $1200 and a day of work to the budget to remove the soffit, I have thanked John every day for the past six years when I walk through that reception. His insistence on that occasion changed the look of the entire space from stodgy to modern and made it much more usable for staff members and customers alike. > > On other occasions John saved me money: he suggested affordable alternatives that matched or surpassed what I had in mind at a fraction of the cost. On one occasion he drove me personally to pick out a single toilet paper dispenser for the office because he thought it would be perfect. At the time I didn't know him that well so I was scared that his final bill would make that one expensive purchase but I was pleasantly surprised then (and every time since) by how reasonable and meticulous John's billing has been for the kind of quality service he provides. > > Lastly there is the educational aspect. I feel that I have internalized so many of my discussions and debates with John that it has fundamentally changed the way I look at spaces and objects. You don't always have a professional designer to advise you at every moment but interacting with someone like John has helped me make better design decisions by myself. > > I wish I knew a professional of John's caliber in every field of life that I have reason to interact with. It is a joy to do business with someone who knows his craft. > > I give John Beckmann my highest rating and recommendation. **★ — Karena Wells, July 2017** > We engaged Axis Mundi in an interior design project for our living/diving space. John took a high retainer fee and then did little more than post a bunch of random pictures to a messy online file that didn't reflect our aesthetic and ignore our requests to incorporate certain existing furniture pieces. He did nothing to help us on the items that we specifically requested help with such as the kitchen backsplash (he just posted two random pictures of granite which anyone can find) and the living room wall unit (we got 2-3 images which were not even on the same planet as what we asked for), and charged us to order samples for things we didn't even want. He also refused to work within our budget and came back with a line item plan that included custom pieces in rooms that weren't even in scope (master bedroom (?!?)) - I can only assume as a way to boost his profit. > > We basically got nothing out of Axis Mundi of any value. The bill John sent was outrageous. It is not possible that posting images (which he should have ready access to as part of his profession) plus a simple floorplan with a sofa, a few chairs (existing), a rug, a credenza (existing) and table should have taken the time he claimed. We provided CAD files from our architect so all he had to do was drop in the dimensions for the few items. I did it myself -to scale- in Excel in 30 min. > > Generally, he didn't listen to us, ignored our budget, wasted time/our money posting images of items we explicitly said we wanted to keep, and berated us for going on vacation and not responding on his timeline. When we tried to talk it through with him he agreed to put $2500 of the amount billed back on the table until it was actually earned. At that point we realized we could not productively work with him and requested that that amount, plus the unused part of our retainer ($500) be refunded. We have seen nothing. > > I have never seen a service business run like this. Please think twice before hiring this company. **★★★★★ — Rishi Bali, May 2017** > I have known John for the last 10 years. We have worked together on 15 separate projects both on the East Coast and California. > > I originally hired John's firm - Axis Mundi to do the interiors of my recently purchased apartment on Wall Street which was a design conversion project headlined by Philippe Starck. > > It was my first project in engaging an interior designer/architectural firm to design a custom space and I was very pleased by the results. John designed a incredible space for me with great furniture, carpets and custom built in cabinetry which not only made the space more functional but also gave my apartment a sense of scale. The project has been featured in several real estate television shows. > > I subsequently commissioned John to do a significant retail project for me which encompassed designing and building of unique interiors for a yoga inspired retail concept. John developed a design concept called "Naked" for the project which had the design genesis of going back to our core roots with the use of organic elements such as reclaimed wood and an ancient Japanese burnt wood treatment called “Shou Sugi Ban.” This was a perfect fit with the ethos of my yoga company. We did a total of 14 individual projects in varied locations such as San Francisco CA, Malibu Country Mart CA, Beverly Hills CA, Brentwood CA, La Jolla CA, Short Hills NJ, Westchester NY and Greenwich CT, amongst others. Each location was individually designed and built to fit with significant oversight of contractors and the permitting process. The results were absolutely spectacular. > > In my opinion, there are three core elements that uniquely differentiate John Beckmann's work from the litany of other designers on the block: > > First - Well thought-out design solutions that are individually tailored: In all my projects, John has gone deeper to develop a design esthetic that fits the needs of the project. Unlike many other designers whose work looks the same from project to project, John has a unique sensibility to deliver a design solution for the specific client needs. For example - John designed the living spaces for both me and my sister - my apartment used finishes and furnishings that were bold and masculine, whereas he used more subtle design elements for my sister’s apartment, like a floating glass bedroom with silk curtains that made the apartment more feminine. The feeling that he delivered to each of the spaces were the perfect fit for our own individual personalities. > > Second - Understanding of design lineage: I feel that John is a great student of design lineage, as such he can did deep into his design experience and learning to suggest a solution that fits his clients. For example - I am Indian and John's just wowed me which his knowledge of Indian Yantra's and contemporary design lineage of designers who had worked in India like Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. While our goal was to build a contemporary designed apartment, John used subtle design features that reflected the history of my culture like a custom banquette which had red silk velvet cushions and bolsters like you would find in traditional Indian seating. I really enjoyed this process of discovery, of learning different styles while working with John. And how art, furniture design, lighting, and carpets all come together to create a spectacular space. > > Third - Collaboration in projects: Constructing a space is truly a collaborative effort and you want someone on your side who has done it quite a few times, as they have experience and patience to ensure that projects don't go off in the wrong direction. I find John to be a methodical worker, his drawings are very realistic and unlike other designers who show rendering on paper which are impossible to convert to real life, John's work has been consistently bang on. I find John easy going on items that are noise, but have seen him take a tough stance with contractors when he feels that a mistake is being made that will compromise the design esthetic. Overall you need a person like John who has seen the movie before, and has the focus and dedication to see a project to fruition. > > John loves his work and does his utmost to accommodate various budgets and timeframes. Having worked with him on numerous projects I don't think his combination of taste, design knowledge, focus and dedication can be beat. > > If you are looking for a tasteful, contemporary style, John Beckmann's your guy. **★ — Laura Bray, March 2017** > Dear future customers, > > I engaged Axis Mundi business to assist me with design services for decorating my home. I paid a high premium retainer fee for the services he would deliver, with the remainder of the fee paid once the services were complete. The contract called for measuring the existing space at my home and preparing computer plans, multiple shopping visits to be scheduled, detailed budget spreadsheet to be created, and much more. > > To my disappointment, not only did Axis Mundi business owner not deliver any of the above; but, he consistently did not respond to my emails and several requests to measure the space diligently and provide feedback throughout the process. He instead threw together images of products in a "drop box" from random places and other customers and unorganized in any logical order. I found myself having to chase him to answer my inquiries and determined that they did not care for the project he took on nor were they going to commit the time required to do it successfully. > > Shortly thereafter, we terminated the working relationship, and though John did not dedicate time toward the services, he refused to provide a full refund nor a partial refund for the project which is sizable. > > I have worked in corporate for a long time; and, I have yet to encounter a similar experience with any other business dealings. > > Please read other reviews on his Houzz webpage and you will see others were victim to this experience as well. > > I document my experience only for the purposes of informing other customers. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. > > If I could give a minus review I would. > > Thanks, > Laura **★★★★★ — kschoepflin2, Oct. 2016** > I work with John and Axis Mundi on a regular basis and it is always a great experience. > They have a unique modern/contemporary vision. Very specific attention is given to the personality of the client; translating to the design of individually crafted spaces as an extension of the lifestyle of the client. No repetition! > As a purveyor of Modern Furniture, I have worked on both residential and showroom projects with Axis Mundi; all smooth sailing and on schedule. > I have referred several clients to Axis Mundi to use as their Interior Designer for larger projects. They have been thrilled with their particular brand of personal service- and with the results of their adept mixing of new technology and the handcrafted; classic pieces and contemporary / futuristic styles. > In addition, Axis Mundi has enabled said clients to sell their apartments for exponentially more than their purchase+renovation price! > Highly recommended for a fun and interactive experience. **★★★★★ — Marco Martinoli, Oct. 2016** > I know John and his team and their job and design are always stunning > Great architecture and design firm to work with. > John is a nice guy a brilliant designer with a great experience in residential corporate and hospitality projects \*\*\*\* **★★★★★ — Joseph Carini Carpets, Oct. 2016** > John Beckmann and his firm Axis Mundi are great to work with. Always professional and incredibly talented, the work they do is anything but common. John and his team always create and design rooms that are fresh and exciting. At the same time he takes the clients wishes and needs very seriously and manages to elevate them. I highly recommend Axis Mundi. **★★★★★ — Danielé Perna Designs, Sept. 2016** > I connected with Mr. Beckmann 8 years ago because I appreciate his design vision and wanted an associate in the business to share firm experiences and discuss architecture, design and development. He is passionate about his craft and open to sharing ideas with colleagues. In time we developed an strong relationship which lead to several collaborations. > > While collaborating, I observed his business and design operations; an impressive orchestration of team work, focused processes, technical proficiency, and efficient communication. His team is an intelligent group of hard-working individuals who share a desire to be the best in the industry. Mr. Beckmann focuses his staff on making sure the client is completely satisfied. > > John Beckmann is one of those rare design talents who has the discipline and drive to meet deadlines and respect budgets, while always maintaining a unique poetic vision. **★★★★★ — User, Dec. 2013** > The team at Axis Mundi is super focused on their craft. They are true professionals in that they live and breathe design and have enough years of experience in the field, dealing with all kinds of clients and manufacturers and technicians, that they truly know their stuff. They know what they're doing and do it really well. They keep a sharp eye on value and quality and efficiency. Most important;y, they enjoy what they do. Working with the people at Axis Mundi is intense, but also fun. The results are always inspiring. **★ — Laura, July 2013** > It just makes me sad to think of the time and money I wasted with these guys. After taking my retainer check, all I got was email links to various mass market products (West Elm, Design Within Reach, etc) and I did not like the direction they were taking. Instead of working with me to find things that I did like, I felt like the ran out the clock to eat up my retainer and then I never heard from them again. > > To add insult to injury, they sent me a promotional email touting that an apartment they decorated was being featured in NY Mag. I was shocked to see that it was all the same recommendations they had made for us. Same artwork, same pillows. No wonder I felt like their recommendations weren't for me... they literally weren't... they were for someone else. **Comment from Axis Mundi:** > We try to help every client, even with very limited budgets. We directed you towards items that were within your budget, and available for immediate purchase. Unfortunately, you weren’t able to make any decisions that would have moved the project along. We were disappointed that our time spent with you did not end in a completed project too. But the minimal retainer you paid us barely covered our initial agreed upon time; you can't expect to get that back just because you changed your mind about us. > > Furthermore, an even casual look at our work will show that each and every project we do is unique. What elements may be similar is called a “style.” We hope you have found another designer to work, who was able to work with you. **★★★★★ — James Wilford, April 2012** > My wife and I recently hired John and his firm Axis Mundi for the design of our loft after seeing a recently published project of theirs. We were thrilled with the design they came up with and the attentive professionalism through the construction process. He is a very creative thinker, pays a great deal of attention to the details, and is down to earth. He is on top of his game. Highly recommended. ## Selected projects - [432 Park Avenue](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/432-park-avenue-pj-vj~3137146) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 17 - Description: Conceived by architect Rafael Viñoly—432 Park Avenue is the tallest residential skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. This apartment designed by John Beckmann and his design firm Axis Mundi has some of the most breathtaking views in Manhattan. Known for their glamorous low-slung aesthetic, Axis Mundi took the challenge to design the residence for an American client living in China with a family of four, and an important art collection (including the likes of Cy Twombly, Gerhard Richter, Susan Fr… - [Bond Street Industrial Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bond-street-industrial-loft-pj-vj~397311) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 24 - Description: This NoHo apartment, in a landmarked circa 1870 building designed by Stephen Decatur Hatch and converted to lofts in 1987, had been interestingly renovated by a rock musician before being purchased by a young hedge fund manager and his gallery director girlfriend. Naturally, the couple brought to the project their collection of painting, photography and sculpture, mostly by young emerging artists. Axis Mundi accommodated these pieces within a neutral palette accented with occasional flashes of b… - [Tower Power](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tower-power-pj-vj~5667601) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 12 - Description: Vista Tower - Sky 360 Penthouse Vista Tower designed by Studio Gang is a 101-story, 1,191 ft skyscraper built in Chicago, Illinois. It is the third tallest building in the skyline. Vista’s full-floor Sky 360 Penthouses take luxury to another level. Rising from the 76th floor, these magnificent residences command uninterrupted 360-degree views across downtown Chicago and beyond. The prominent American architecture and design firm Axis Mundi designed the entire space of this 5500 sf penthouse in w… - [Movie Star Media Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/movie-star-media-room-pj-vj~3194739) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Some spaces define glamour, this media room for a movie star in one of them. Designed by John Beckmann, with Hannah LaSota. - [CitySpire Duplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cityspire-duplex-pj-vj~2670339) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 18 - [A Modern Cottage in Sagaponack](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-modern-cottage-in-sagaponack-pj-vj~363637) - Location: Sagaponack, NY - Photos: 16 - Description: The exterior of what looks like a vernacular Hamptons shingle cottage, designed by architect Blaze Makoid, is intentionally deceiving. For the interiors, Axis Mundi typically decided not to play by the rules. Instead of de rigeur nautical artifacts, floppy sofas and wicker furniture, the firm responded to Makoid’s all-white interior envelope by injecting rooms with comfortable modern elegance that’s more contemporary Cap Ferrat than Eastern Long Island. Clean furniture silhouettes—from Cassina,… - [Greenwich Village Townhouse for an Art Collector](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-village-townhouse-for-an-art-collector-pj-vj~43524) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 32 - Description: "Revival” implies a retread of an old idea—not our interests at Axis Mundi. So when renovating an 1840s Greek Revival brownstone, subversion was on our minds. The landmarked exterior remains unchanged, as does the residence’s unalterable 19-foot width. Inside, however, a pristine white space forms a backdrop for art by Warhol, Basquiat and Haring, as well as intriguing furnishings drawn from the continuum of modern design—pieces by Dalí and Gaudí, Patrick Naggar and Poltrona Frau, Armani and Ver… - [Cloud House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cloud-house-pj-vj~1982331) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: This weekend retreat, nestled in a grove of aspens in Lizard Head Pass, Colorado, embodies the words of Henri Poincaré: “Ideas rose in clouds; I felt them collide until pairs interlocked, so to speak, making a stable combination.” It directly challenges many of our ideas about home. Rather than a place offering the illusion of protection from the outside world through solid structure, its openness, light and reflectivity make it arguably more transparent than even Philip Johnson’s iconic Glass H… - [XYZ House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/xyz-house-pj-vj~3181627) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: XYZ House Wengen, Switzerland "The horizon is the line that emphasizes the infinite." - Victor Hugo Sitting majestically high in the Alps, the cruciform like assemblage contains three bold architectural volumes clad in corten steel. Conceptually the project is organized by three mutually perpendicular planes (the three Cartesian coordinates of x, y, and z): An entry tunnel/bridge, a tower which contains the vertical circulation (staircase and elevator) and the main habitable space, which is susp… - [Light Filled Duplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/light-filled-duplex-pj-vj~167741) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 13 - Description: Packing a lot of function into a small space requires ingenuity and skill, exactly what was needed for this one-bedroom gut in the Meatpacking District. When Axis Mundi was done, all that remained was the expansive arched window. Now one enters onto a pristine white-walled loft warmed by new zebrano plank floors. A new powder room and kitchen are at right. On the left, the lean profile of a folded steel stair cantilevered off the wall allows access to the bedroom above without eating up valuable… - [Penthouse for Miss X](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/penthouse-for-miss-x-pj-vj~2111299) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - [Sky High Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sky-high-penthouse-pj-vj~2206070) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 7 - [Recursive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/recursive-house-pj-vj~2481063) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 11 - Description: Where can a line lead you? The Surrealists believed automatically drawing one continuous line could take you into your subconscious. Many artists also use one unbroken line to create two-dimensional portraits or to limn recognizable forms. For Axis Mundi, one uninterrupted line leads to home. Or, more intriguingly, to the rhythmic underlying structure of this concept house for a successful digital entrepreneur in the Palm Springs desert. An homage to Austrian architect Frederick Kiesler’s 1950 “… - [Grand Army Plaza - Brooklyn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grand-army-plaza-brooklyn-pj-vj~43427) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 12 - Description: It wasn’t necessary to overthink things when Axis Mundi designed interiors for an apartment at Brooklyn’s glass-sheathed 1 Grand Army Plaza, the luxury building by Richard Meier already endowed with all the “starchitect” bells and whistles, as well as drop-dead stunning views of Brooklyn, the harbor and Prospect Park. What did require considerable aptitude was to strike the right balance between respect for these assets, particularly the panoramas, and livability. The all-white scheme doesn’t ju… - [A Family Affair](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-family-affair-pj-vj~43528) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 11 - Description: Good design must reflect the personality of the client. So when siblings purchased studios in Downtown by Philippe Starck, one of the first buildings to herald the revitalization of Manhattan’s Financial District, the aim was to create environments that were truly bespoke. The brother’s tastes jibed synchronously with the insouciant idea of France’s most popular prankster converting a building that once housed the buttoned-up offices of JP Morgan Chase. His collection of Takashi Murakami works,… - [Combined Upper Westside Apartment, New York](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/combined-upper-westside-apartment-new-york-pj-vj~43617) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 6 - Description: When marrying two Upper West Side apartments to accommodate a growing family’s needs, the team at Axis Mundi was faced with a conundrum: how to distinctly delineate public and private spaces without sacrificing the greater openness conferred by the expansion. So they limned that line with a six-foot square sliding glass door, which enables parents to block out the sounds of rambunctious youth emanating from private quarters, while also shielding sleeping children from the later night activities… - [Downtown Duplex for a Bachelor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/downtown-duplex-for-a-bachelor-pj-vj~43611) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 10 - Description: The mammoth phalanxes of white-brick apartment houses that proliferated in the 1960s occupy an architectural purgatory; generic, with boxy interiors devoid of detail, many aren’t even interesting enough to excite a raised eyebrow. Our solution for this exemplar near Astor Place, which fortunately was blessed with premium skyline views, was to relieve the interior ordinariness by stimulating the senses with tactile variety. Axis Mundi created a complexly layered textural palette that injects visu… - [Vertical House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vertical-house-pj-vj~634) - Location: Smugglers Notch, VT - Photos: 2 - Description: European gardens of the 18th and 19th centuries boasted architectural follies that mimicked Greek temple ruins, Chinese pagodas, Egyptian pyramids and other buildings. They were intended to make connections to the virtues of classical antiquity, travels to exotic lands and other evidence of one’s sophistication and breeding. This house adopts the idea intriguingly by excising pretense and frivolity to devise a unique solution to the steeply sloping topography of this site in Smuggler’s Nest, Ver… - [Old Greenwich Moderne](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/old-greenwich-moderne-pj-vj~43548) - Location: Old Greenwich, CT - Photos: 8 - [Upper East Side Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-east-side-apartment-pj-vj~328045) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 11 - Description: When the Gimbels department store chain closed in 1986, many of its selling floors were converted into luxury apartments, including those of this branch at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue. The retailer’s soaring ceilings allowed Axis Mundi to create bedroom mezzanine spaces overlooking the living and dining rooms. Defining them with translucent glass welcomed natural light while retaining privacy. Downstairs, spaces bleed one into another, their basic monochromatic black-and-white palette actin… [See all 51 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/axis-mundi-pfvwus-pf~847344046) ## Ideabooks - [Lighting](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73448321/list/lighting) — 94 ideas - [Dining Table](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73449318/list/dining-table) — 34 ideas - [Chairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73448521/list/chairs) — 108 ideas - [Light and Shadows](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74721891/list/light-and-shadows) — 31 ideas - [Bars](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74809871/list/bars) — 1 idea - [Coffee Tables](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73449198/list/coffee-tables) — 99 ideas - [Flooring](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76846105/list/flooring) — 10 ideas - [Daybeds](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/83818849/list/daybeds) — 2 ideas - [Work Tables](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75118690/list/work-tables) — 2 ideas - [Armchairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73450440/list/armchairs) — 37 ideas - [Desks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73451782/list/desks) — 13 ideas - [Sofas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73452202/list/sofas) — 40 ideas - [Chaises](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73450282/list/chaises) — 10 ideas - [Cabinets](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73450512/list/cabinets) — 21 ideas - [Beds](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73450490/list/beds) — 10 ideas - [Hardware](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73448453/list/hardware) — 13 ideas - [Area Rugs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73448725/list/area-rugs) — 19 ideas - [Doors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73448395/list/doors) — 34 ideas - [Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73451540/list/details) — 11 ideas - [Bar Stools](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73451353/list/bar-stools) — 15 ideas [See all 28 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/axismundi) ## Community Q&A **Q: What type of wood product are the cabinets, beautiful! Thanks** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The cabinets are oak from Henrybuilt - https://henrybuilt.com/ **Q: Have you had any problems with the Saarinen table?** *(in Photo Questions)* I would love to get the large Saarinen with a black base and wood top. Does the base get scratched? Any comments on their quality appreciated. A: I can't say we've had any issues with the base. **Q: what is the material of the wall ? where to find and buy?** *(in Photo Questions)* Wall material A: These are custom concrete panels that were designed just for this project. **Q: What material is on the walls, is it the same as on chairs?** *(in Photo Questions)* I probably wouldn't have never put the colors and material designs that is implemented here in these photos but I'm so loving it all A: The walls are upholstered in leather. Thank you. **Q: Can you please tell me the source of these chairs? Thanks.** *(in Photo Questions)* I love these chairs, and would appreciate any information you can provide. A: The chairs are from Poltrona Frau **Q: where are the chairs from? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The chairs are from Knoll or DWR - Saarinen Executive Side Chair with Wood Legs --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-14.*