Live/Work Experiment Hosts Inaugural Open House

Andre Architecture has completed renovation of a storefront in downtown Manhattan, converting an underutilized commercial unit into a multi-functional live/work residence and new headquarters for the namesake company. The 1000 square foot, ground floor unit showcases how design and planning can merge residential and commercial typologies — both in practice and compliance with local zoning and building law. This milestone occasion was marked with an open house on June 26th, 2025. 

The event took full advantage of a bright summer day, with open doors and streetside cooking led by Joseph Ruiz Tapia, principal at Andre Architecture and part-time culinary entrepreneur. Guests were invited inside to explore the newly transformed storefront, which featured digital slideshows presenting years of mostly unpublished and in-progress works, including sketches, photography, and renderings from the firm’s archives.

Beyond a bespoke polycarbonate-and-oak door, guests toured the private residence of Andre Gomez and his wife, Rebecca. The home revealed a harmony of local and reclaimed furnishings paired with custom-made contemporaries in wood and industrial metals. Select imports from international makers such as Viabizzuno and Verdi underscore the studio’s commitment to authentic, enduring design.