Death Star Loft

Drawing inspiration from the set design of “The Empire Strikes Back,” this project dubbed “Death Star Loft” - designed by RAAD Studio - is a nod to one of the best-selling movie franchises of all time. Designing the home for a self-proclaimed Star Wars fan and the head of a large music label, RAAD Studio had one major goal for this project: to design a home that was “badass” but still felt minimal and warm. With architectural design efforts led by RAAD Studio’s Founder, James Ramsey, the duplex located in Lower Manhattan, New York showcases a familiar cinematic theme against a primarily black-and-white color palette. With the client providing considerable creative freedom, the design caters to the client’s ergonomic needs, comfort preferences, visual cleanliness, and interests in film.

Another crucial goal was to impress the client’s colleagues and musical artist clients, emphasizing the need for a space that exudes creativity and innovation. The space is a harmonious blend of functionality and the client’s tastes. The design showcases a commitment to craftsmanship with the entire space being custom-crafted, including surfaces like the white concrete flooring downstairs, Dinesen wide plank flooring upstairs, and a glass-enclosed fireplace in the living room. The chosen color palette of black, white, and neutrals not only embodies the Star Wars theme but complements the wood, black corian, and various grays used throughout the loft.

Aside from the obvious Star Wars-inspired aesthetic, the primary architectural goal for this space was to address the absence of windows in the middle and back of the two loft floors. Raad Studio needed to create a sense of spaciousness and light, which was achieved by lofting the center of the home to form a stunning double-height space that became a unique and unexpected feature.

Upon entering the space through a small vestibule, guests encounter a compressed area for storage and seating. The loft then opens up into a vast double-height volume that serves as the focal point of the design with standout features such as the sculptural matte black spiral staircase and bridge, which are both directly inspired by features of the Death Star. These features surround the minimalist, yet incredibly elevated kitchen that is grounded by a white concrete floor. A Pietra gray marble island serves as the primary source of counter space and doubles as a dining table with room for four. Five sleek black Vibia pendants hang above the island to provide more concentrated spotlights for food prep and gathering. The counter seating from Estudio Persona adds a sense of softness to the ultra-modern space.

With three, tall south-facing windows, the living room enjoys ample natural light and is decorated with cozy, low-profile furniture from Living Divani along with a built-in, sleek entertainment center and speakers. Upstairs, a bridge connects the spiral stairs to the primary suite, emphasizing the separation between public and private spaces. The raw brick and polished plaster of the primary suite make the space feel warmer, while arched mirrors opposite the arched windows create the illusion of a broader space.

Another out-of-this-world element in this loft is the infinity mirror powder room on the main level which surprises the eye with its sci-fi corridor aesthetics, directly inspired by the Death Star scene in the original Star Wars movie.

The home office - surrounded by acoustic panelized walls - is personalized with Star Wars figurines on the marble wall-mounted desk and platinum record awards. The main bathroom is sculpted from a single beige travertine surface, with curved lines that recur throughout the home.

This home - a true work of art - successfully merges cinematic inspiration with practical design, resulting in a unique space that fulfills both aesthetic and functional requirements.