Radnor Celebrates a Decade: Inside Brooklyn’s Tower Penthouse Gallery!

For the past ten years, Radnor has creatively utilized Manhattan living spaces to host exhibitions, but now, the studio is setting up a new gallery in Brooklyn, moving closer to its roots. Having operated from the American Can Factory in Gowanus for several years, Radnor is intimately connected with Brooklyn, where many of its associated designers like Egg Collective, Workstead, and Pelle began their creative journeys. The launch of the new penthouse gallery at Brooklyn Tower marks Radnor’s 10th anniversary, symbolizing both a return and a new phase under the guidance of its founder, Susan Clark, who is passionate about presenting collectible designs in a relatable, home-like setting.

Since its inception, Radnor has embraced a unique approach to its exhibitions. In 2018, the Material Interiors exhibition took over a residential space designed by David Chipperfield Architects at The Bryant, turning a two-bedroom apartment into a dynamic installation. This project was a collaboration with Workstead, and it elegantly integrated the space’s existing herringbone oak floors and honed-terrazzo accents. By 2021, Clark had replicated this immersive showroom concept at 180 East 88th Street, a development on the Upper East Side by DDG and Global Holdings. There, in partnership with Elizabeth Roberts Architects, Radnor showcased a blend of its curated designs alongside Roberts’s debut Radnor Made collection. The most recent showcase, Evolution in Form, was held in a vast 5,000-square-foot penthouse in Sutton Tower, 70 floors up, where the minimalist architecture of Thomas Juul-Hansen provided a stark backdrop for the display of collectible designs.

The Brooklyn Tower, a striking high-rise by SHoP Architects that now punctuates the Downtown Brooklyn skyline, houses Radnor’s new gallery within a sprawling 6,000-square-foot penthouse. The space boasts 12-foot-high ceilings and extensive views over both Manhattan and Brooklyn. It is designed to function as both a gallery and a residence, promoting a unique experience where artworks are integrated into everyday living spaces rather than exhibited as standalone pieces.

This philosophy of tangible, integrated art continues with the gallery’s opening exhibit, which features new handwoven pieces by Los Angeles artist Rachel DuVall. DuVall’s work explores the structural grid of weaving by introducing subtle imperfections through handcrafted techniques. Her latest pieces incorporate a painted layer beneath the weave, using natural dyes in shades like mossy green, indigo, and ochre to create depth and contrast against a colorful backdrop instead of a plain one.

For Susan Clark, this significant anniversary highlights both the physical space and the evolving artistic agenda of Radnor. By merging the roles of retailer, gallery, and manufacturer, Radnor has cultivated a diverse international collection of designers over the last decade, from Toshio Tokunaga and Loïc Bard to emerging Brooklyn-based talents, all dedicated to crafting distinctive, meticulously designed items.