Kenne Shepherd Interior Designs creates 5,800 s/f gallery for Yares Art

Kenne Shepherd | | Interior Design Architecture PLLC

Manhattan, NY Kenne Shepherd Interior Design Architecture PLLC (KSI), a New York based, woman-owned interior architectural design firm, has completed the design of Yares Art Gallery at 745 Fifth Ave. for Yares Art Projects of Santa Fe, N.M. The new 5,800 s/f gallery will be on the fourth floor or “gallery floor” of the Plaza District tower. It is the first New York location for art dealer Dennis Yares.

Cindy Farkas Glanzrock, Glanzrock Realty Services

Cindy Farkas Glanzrock of Glanzrock Realty Services represented both Yares Art Gallery and the landlord, Paramount Group.

“This was an amazing opportunity to showcase the gallery’s multi-faceted sensibilities and their famous artists’ works in an elegant setting,” said Shepherd. “My role was to create a background that supports the diverse mediums that will be on display and showcase the art in an environment that is both unobtrusive, yet elevating.”

The design of the gallery is classic minimalism. The three primary design elements are the walls, floor and ceiling. Inserted into this “white box” is the artwork, which activates the space, and the neutral grey custom furniture by Rippel Metal Fabrications also of Santa Fe. At this level of minimalism, the perfection of each element is critical to the overall success of the design and the space.

Each element was left in its pure form so as not to distract from the artwork. The slab ceiling, with the beam exposed, allows for the maximum ceiling height in the space and the display of large works of art. The walls are a pure white canvas for the display of the art. Left unadorned, and with long expanses, they allow for maximum flexibility in displaying the artwork and have only a shadow reveal at the bottom to create the appearance that they and the art are floating above the maple floor. The flesh-toned maple floor, the only color in the gallery outside of the artwork, is a subtle soft color that does not take your eye from the art.

KSI is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) recognized for creating customized interiors that refine and express the client’s unique vision, values and mission into sophisticated, contemporary environments. KSI is especially known for its branding and design services in three vertical markets, comprising retail, residential and public spaces. Among its clients are Salvatore Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Bergdorf Goodman, the lobby at Three Lincoln Center and a host of private residential projects.

The firm was founded in 1993 by Kenne Shepherd, a LEED-accredited professional, licensed in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Nevada. In addition, Shepherd is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York Chapter, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), The Retail Marketing Society, and serves on the Board of Commercial Real Estate Women New York (CREW New York).