F5: Bryan Young Talks Dominican Republic: Discover Alexander Girard’s Artwork & More!

Bryan Young, originally from Los Angeles, had an eye for architecture from a young age, deeply influenced by a structure designed by Louis Kahn. As a youth, while surfing at Black’s Beach in San Diego, California, he was captivated by the nearby Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

He chose to follow his passion for architecture at UC Berkeley, obtaining his bachelor’s degree, and later advanced his studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

In 2010, Young established Young Projects, a studio based in New York City known for its focus on the physicality of materials, exploring novel methods of fabrication such as crystal growth and manual plaster pulling.

Besides architecture, Young has a keen interest in interior design and unique display pieces. He works with skilled craftsmen to create bespoke items and operates VERSO, a design gallery in Tribeca that he opened in 2002 with his partner Amauri Aguiar, featuring custom-made furniture and artwork.

Today, we are joined by Bryan Young for our segment, Friday Five!

1. Girard

It is thrilling to realize how something you’ve watched over many years becomes increasingly fascinating.

Alexander Girard’s The Blue Triangles from 1972—coincidentally the year Bryan’s wife, Marina, was born—was a thoughtful gift for her 40th birthday in 2012. For 14 years, they have been captivated by this seemingly straightforward silkscreen. Clusters of triangles connect to form larger groups, where blue triangles serve both as individual shapes and as a backdrop to the stark white triangles of the canvas. Over time, the artwork appears to pulsate.

Upon closer inspection, one might notice triangles that barely touch or others that overlap awkwardly. These subtle details and the resulting optical illusions inspired the tiling approach for their Glitch House project in the Dominican Republic, and later silkscreen collaborations with a Soho gallery, a83.

2. Van Gogh’s Roses by Raina Lee

Seeing a long-familiar painting in a new light can be mesmerizing.

The ceramic piece Roses by Raina Lee, displayed in our Brooklyn kitchen, is a faithful rendition of Van Gogh’s 1890 Roses, part of The Met’s permanent collection. Lee’s version revives the original pink hue of the roses, a color that had faded in the original due to the aging of geranium lake pigments. The ceramic glaze adds an eerie depth and texture that both mirrors and transforms Van Gogh’s iconic strokes.

The unique pink glaze Lee developed results from a chemical interplay between chrome and tin, crafted through a hands-on process where beauty emerges through experimentation and the physical act of creation.

3. The Parrot and The Falcon

It’s quite intriguing when familiar objects begin to change due to their context.

The yellow-headed parrot, native to Central Mexico’s lowland forests, was an artwork passed down from my grandmother, a docent at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. My brothers Mike, John, and I also cherish the Millennium Falcon toy by Kenner, released in 1979, though it has been missing its cockpit cover since 1981.

The nostalgic amalgamation of the Parrot with the Falcon against the backdrop of our mother’s floral sofa not only merges memories but also aims to evoke a surreal quality through their proximity. These childhood relics sparked my interest in collecting, creating shoebox dioramas, and crafting fictive narratives encased in plex vitrines.

4. Playa Grande

Living in a city of dreams, the real jungle’s landscape is more dynamic than one could ever imagine.

The central dwelling of the retreat at Playa Grande is designed to echo the ebb and flow of the overhead jungle canopy. Its roof, composed of 160 shifting scissor trusses, mirrors the jungle’s fluid geometry without touching it. At its heart, a courtyard envelops a ficus tree, with the architecture wrapping around it to create an engaging dialogue rather than just framing it.

5. Shows

Rediscovering a beloved activity after a long hiatus can be surprisingly profound.

The first concert I attended post-lockdown was The Flaming Lips at Brooklyn Steel in October 2021. The venue was packed with people experiencing their first large gathering in years, and the sense of liberation was palpable. Wayne Coyne, in his signature space bubble, reminded us of the importance of staying connected, even in isolation.

Since then, I’ve attended a diverse array of concerts including performances by Kendrick Lamar with SZA, Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, and many more across various New York City venues. It’s not just the performances that linger in memory, but the shared experiences with friends and the spontaneous joy of strangers dancing together.

Works by Young Projects

The Glitch House in the Dominican Republic

Nestled deeper in the jungle than the Casa Las Olas retreat, the Glitch House serves as both guest lodging and a functional space for property maintenance. Its exterior features encaustic cement tiles, handcrafted in the Dominican Republic, which play with light and shadow against the staggered concrete block walls, creating a pulsating visual effect.

The Glitch House, often the first structure seen by guests at Casa Las Olas, blurs into the jungle setting, subtly suggesting the immersive experiences that define the overall retreat design.

Soho Loft in New York City

This Soho loft, situated within a converted warehouse, enhances a previously renovated three-bedroom space. A plastered mob foyer leads into an expansive living area marked by a Scagliola archway. Walnut millwork and stainless steel anchor the kitchen within the open layout, while surrounding library bookcases elegantly frame the entrance to the primary suite and other areas.

French Quarter Cottage in New Orleans, Louisiana

This interior renovation of a Creole cottage from the 1820s in New Orleans’ French Quarter incorporates one of the largest private courtyards in the area, complete with a main and carriage house. The layout is a classic four-square, with each of the primary rooms—bar, music room, salon, and dining room—offering distinct aesthetics through varied colors, finishes, and furnishings. Linking these spaces are ‘portals’ of custom ombre-patinated gold-leafed doorways, creating a seamless transition between diverse environments.

Casa Las Olas in the Dominican Republic

Positioned on an untouched beachfront property, the Retreat House maximizes views of the Atlantic Ocean while integrating with the dense surrounding jungle. The evolved architectural form is a dynamic ring that subtly shifts in plan and section just beneath the jungle canopy. The roof comprises 160 unique scissor trusses, creating a complex, fluid structural dynamic that curves and rotates, offering panoramic views of both the jungle and ocean.

Upside Down Chair

In collaboration with master plaster artisans Art in Construction, Young Projects developed the Upside Down Chair, which melds the 17th-century plaster technique of scagliola with the raw aesthetics of concrete. The chair transitions from a smooth, refined surface suitable for sitting to a rugged exterior, embodying both durability and elegance for indoor or outdoor use.