Urban Archaeology

Urban Archaeology has carved an enviable niche in the design world to become a leading design resource for new lighting, bath furnishings and tile. Urban Archaeology draws inspiration from roots in architectural salvage, summoning designs from the turn of the last century through to the modernist aesthetic of the mid-20th century. What sets them apart is their willingness and ability to customize existing lines or create new custom products to suit any creative vision. In the early 1970s founder, Gil Shapiro, was at the forefront of the nascent salvaging movement; with a collector’s eye and an entrepreneurial spirit he capitalized on the burgeoning home restoration movement and the growing trend in eclectic home décor, re-imagining architectural remnants in the home environment. He excelled at bringing a fresh perspective to pieces of historical and architectural importance. In 1978 he opened his first store in SoHo selling restored pieces, and demand quickly outweighed supply. Clients craved pedigree and patina yet wanted it made to their modern specifications—longer, wider, higher and larger. The company’s focus shifted to reproducing salvaged pieces and creating new and original lines of lighting, and bath furnishings. After spending many years collaborating on design projects, his wife, Judith Stockman, a successful NY interior designer, joined the business in 1997 as the Creative Director. The company has moved its headquarters and workshop to a 35,000 SF space in Long Island City, where it houses a team of craftsmen specializing in all aspects of manufacturing, including Underwriter’s Laboratory experts. Our customers have a unique opportunity to collaborate with the company’s own team of skilled craftsmen and industrial designers to customize any product from its extensive collections or to create new designs suited to any space.