We are delighted to share our collaboration with the renowned architectural design-build practice Marmol Radziner on the iconic Lever House in New York City. This project gave us the opportunity to create a series of bespoke, large leather panelled walls as part of the transformative reimagining of this historic landmark. Our wall panelling, starting at the lift lobby and flowing through the corridor into an expansive open-plan office and breakout area, delivers a subtle, sophisticated refresh of the interior, all while paying homage to the building’s architectural legacy.

Originally unveiled by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 1952, Lever House was a pioneering marvel of glass-and-steel architecture, dramatically altering the brick-and-stone skyline of Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Now, this culturally significant building is undergoing a thoughtful repurposing, blending its mid-century heritage with the demands of modern office life.

Each panel, crafted from deep chestnut, full vegetable-tanned European cattle hides from Tuscany, stands over 3 metres tall. More than 150 panels have been produced for the project. The shoulder panels are joined with a precise compressed butted detail horizontally and a 5mm radius on the vertical to highlight the leather’s weight and body without exposing edges. A recessed saddle stitch technique is employed to conceal seams, resulting in a seamless surface touch.

The use of aniline dyed vegetable-tanned leather ensures durability, due to the lack of surface pigmentation and it’s dyed through nature, scratches can be dressed out, ensuring a character that only improves with time. Unlike synthetic alternatives, this material offers a sensorial experience that engages multiple senses, adding to the sophisticated ambiance of these thoughtfully designed spaces.

‘Architecture isn’t just about how things look: people forget about smell and touch,’ Ned explains. ‘The panels have a really subtle feeling that’s not to be underestimated.’