David Rockwell talks personal taste: Part Two
The architect and designer concludes his compendium of likes with steak tartare at Chiltern Firehouse and kicking for the Chicago Bears
My style icons are the artist Ruben Toledo and his fashion designer wife Isabel. These longtime friends always look fabulous: his aesthetic is sleek and streamlined, especially in contrast to hers, which is baroque and more flamboyant. They are also masters of spontaneity and forever generous with their time and ideas.
The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a beautiful Prada tuxedo I bought to wear to the Tony Awards, when I was nominated for my Kinky Boots and Lucky Guy set designs. It is slim-cut and exquisitely crafted, with beautiful stitching along the lapels – I will wear it forever. www.prada.com.
Giant Cubebot at the David Weeks Studio | Image: Floto+Warner
The site that inspires me is Dia:Beacon, the Dia Art Foundation’s gallery in Upstate New York, where the sprawling former factory itself is as important as the art it houses. The indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly and inspired me when I was designing the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, while the daylight galleries and their 34,000sq ft of skylights are particularly impressive. It is a wonderful place to see work by artists such as Richard Serra, Dan Flavin and Louise Bourgeois. 3 Beekman Street, Beacon, New York, NY 12508 (+1845-440 0100; www.diaart.org).
The last meal that truly impressed me was at Chiltern Firehouse, where I enjoyed a festive lunch with a great group of friends. The restaurant is a perfectly cast piece of theatre: the quality of light is beautiful and the space feels warm and lively. The steak tartare – my absolute favourite dish – was especially memorable. 1 Chiltern Street, London W1 (020-7073 7676; www.chilternfirehouse.com).
The last music I downloaded was Beethoven: The Complete Symphony Collection, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. I heard the LSO live when I was a student in London and have always wanted this comprehensive recording, conducted by Josef Krips, for my library. I also bought the album of the 1978 musical The Wiz, featuring the original cast, which is perfect for my morning workouts.
If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose Tribeca in New York. Favourites include Urban Archaeology and Wyeth, which sell wonderful decorative objects, and David Weeks Studio is a must for original furniture and lighting. I also love good coffee and The Smile and Fika are two of the best places for a caffeine hit before shopping. David Weeks Studio, 38 Walker Street (+1212-966 3433; www.davidweeksstudio.com). Fika, 450 Washington Street (+1212-706-0565; www.fikanyc.com). The Smile, 177 Franklin Street (+1917-728 3023; www.thesmilenyc.com). Urban Archaeology, 143 Franklin Street (+1212-431 4646; www.urbanarchaeology.com). Wyeth, 315 Spring Street (+1212-243 3661; www.wyethhome.com).
Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimmage of the Flesh by John Lahr
The best souvenir I’ve brought home is a catalogue from the Barbican exhibition Constructing Worlds: Photography and Architecture in the Modern Age. Images by Berenice Abbott, Walker Evans and Andreas Gursky grace the pages, and I ended up buying multiple copies for friends and family. The Barbican’s gift shop is a wonderful hidden gem. £39;www.barbican.org.uk.
The books on my bedside table are very varied. I am currently reading Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimmage of the Flesh by John Lahr, and Walker Evans: Decade by Decade, a beautiful book of photographs by this chronicler of American history. Pop Up City, a book about mobile designs, a current obsession, and Pierre Christin and Olivier Balez’s graphic biography Robert Moses: The Master Builder of New York City are next on my list.
A display at the David Weeks Studio | Image: Floto+Warner
My favourite room in my house is actually my rooftop garden. It’s surrounded by the landscape of Tribeca and the ever-changing skyline, yet it’s quiet and overlooks the Hudson River; it’s the perfect place to be at the end of the day.
If I didn’t live in New York, the city I would live in is Barcelona. I grew up in Mexico so I’m fluent in Spanish, and I love its café culture and the fact that it’s a city that never sleeps. There’s the Palau de la Música Catalana, a place of great beauty, wonderful for listening to music; Gaudí’s Park Güell; the Boqueria food market, a favourite for the sizzling shrimp and seafood paella; and the light and airy Hotel Arts, with Frank Gehry’s enormous fish outside. Most of all, though, I like the people, who are proud but not arrogant. La Boqueria, La Rambla 91 (+3493-318 2584; www.boqueria.info). Hotel Arts, Calle Marina 19-21 (+3493-221 1000; www.hotelartsbarcelona.com). Palau de la Música Catalana, Calle Palau de la Música 4-6 (+3493-295 7200; www.palaumusica.org). Park Güell, Carrer d’Olot (+3490-220 0302; www.parkguell.cat).
Palau de la Música Catalana | Image: Matteo Vecchi/Teolds Photography
In my fridge you’ll always find lots of fresh pineapple, red grapes, watermelon, mangoes and berries from the Union Square Greenmarket outside my offices. Then there’s sliced turkey; DiPaola’s turkey sausage for making stir-fries; pitchers of freshly brewed Tazo green iced tea; Edy’s fruit popsicles in grapefruit, tangerine and lemon; and the ingredients for making chocolate-chip cookies. Union Square Greenmarket, East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 (+1212-788 7476). www.dipaolaturkeyfarm.com. www.edys.com. www.tazo.com.
The grooming staples I’m never without are Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream by Bliss – at whose spa I have a facial once a year – and Juniper Ridge Big Sur Trail Crew Soap for the bath. Big Sur Trail Soap, $30; www.juniperridge.com.Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream, $55; www.blissworld.com.
An indulgence I would never forgo is chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s rock-shrimp tempura. I was introduced to the dish at the Feast of the Many Moons almost 30 years ago and it has been a favourite ever since. It comes with two dipping sauces – one creamy but spicy and the other a light ponzu; I always opt for the latter. www.noburestaurants.com.
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a concert pianist. I have played my entire life and love the idea of having incredible skill. And if I weren’t doing that, I’d be a kicker for the Chicago Bears.