Architect Arthur Lasky From Home To Hearth

Architecture wasn't part of the plan when Arthur Lasky, of Silberstang Lasky Architects, first completed college. But that all changed after sitting in on graduate school classes. An architect since 1978, he's worked on projects not only in New York and several other US states, but also internationally—in Mexico, Canada, Peru and the Dominican Republic. Arthur has taught at Columbia University, where he received his architecture degree, and NYC Technical College and was a guest critic at Pratt.

More surprisingly, he's the designer behind the HearthCabinet, a ventless fireplace enclosure. First created for the developer of the gel that creates smokeless flame, the HearthCabinet allows homeowners without a chimney or ventilation system to enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a traditional fireplace.

What prompted the journey from big-picture design to focusing on one (albeit room-defining) element? We asked Arthur to explain.

TotalHousehold: What made you decide to become an architect?

Arthur Lasky: I always was interested in design, but my passion was for painting, sculpture and stage design. It wasn’t until after college that I even thought about architecture as a career path. I remember standing on the UCLA campus—a friend was going to film school there, and I was acting in some class exercise for him. During a break I noticed a particularly dreadful building. I thought it was a shame it had been built and, with an utter lack of humility I thought, “ I can do better than that.” I was still undecided about what to do with my life, so I set off on a cross-country trip and visited a friend who was in law school and a friend who was in architecture school. I sat in on classes with both. I was bored to tears in the law classes, but eager to get a pencil in hand at the design studio. Choice made.

The Waterside House, Silberstang Lasky Architects

TH: What design challenges do you face when taking on a remodel as opposed to a new build?

Arthur: Remodeling generally poses more problems than owners know or like to hear about. So there’s a bit more of a need to educate the client in advance. And a lot of hidden conditions may pop up to cause challenges—you often have to accommodate intractable decisions made in the previous design that can become obstacles to the current goals.

TH: Do you have a favorite project to date?

Arthur: It’s hard to pick one. Some I liked for the experience, some for the problem solving involved, some for the clients and some for the appearance. There was a gut renovation I did 30 years ago of an old small barn near Stone Ridge, New York. I didn’t know much then and it was a complicated program—two men and the aunt of one of them were to live together and share the structure. There was barely any budget. In the end they were all pleased with the result, which met their needs, looked good and was on time and within budget. One of them still lives there.

Gable House, Silberstang Lasky Architects

TH: You're also an expert on high security installations for the jewelry and precious metal industries—how did that come about?

Arthur: I kind of fell into it. A developer that my then-partner and I were doing work for was trying to relocate jewelry manufacturers to a building he had in Long Island City, NY. We did a few projects for him. Often the deadlines were ridiculous and the technical difficulties great, but I liked the challenge. People in that industry saw the spaces and I was asked to do more. Silberstang Lasky Architects is still doing that type of project today in various locations.

TH: Do you have any security tips for homeowners and their valuables?

Arthur: Get a security system from a reputable company. Install a professional grade safe for you home. Make sure it is heavy enough to not be easily carried. And have it properly anchored to the building. Lightweight safes that you see in hardware stores or building supply stores will not do the trick.

HearthCabinet Installation

TH: What are the best ways to get to know a client’s design style?

Arthur: The usual ways are still the best. Spend time with your client looking at what they currently have in their life. Ask a lot of questions. Have them collect images of what they like—in other words, ask them to make their own “look book” for you. Then show them lots of images of your own selection. Include clothes, paintings, sculpture, flowers—anything you think might work for them or get them reacting. I once drove around the suburbs of New York showing a client examples of houses that had elements that I thought would help her see what I had in mind for her project since drawings and renderings weren’t doing the trick. It took a lot of time, and you can’t afford to do it for every project, but it was definitely worth the effort in the end.

TH: Do you collaborate with interior designers for your projects?

Arthur: Yes. Sometimes we suggest one and sometimes the client already has somebody in mind. I think a good team can produce better results than one person working alone in today’s architecture and design world.

TH: Have you been surprised by any trends when doing international projects?

Arthur: In the Internet age it is so easy to see examples from everywhere that hardly anything is a surprise. But I do remember being startled a few years ago when I saw gun turrets on some buildings in Lima, Peru when I traveled there to work on a jewelry manufacturing project.

HearthCabinet Installation

TH: What was your inspiration for HearthCabinet?

Arthur: Need. A lawyer friend of ours didn’t have a chimney in his loft, but he wanted to enjoy a fireplace in his apartment. He invented and patented the alcohol gel fuel cartridge and holder that produces our wonderful flame. We then built the HearthCabinet firebox designs around that system. Safety was our highest priority and HearthCabinet Ventless Fireplaces remain the only ventless fireplaces approved for use in New York City.

My aim was to make something beautiful and functional that would be a benefit to other designers to use in their projects. Since the alcohol gel fuel burns very cleanly, no chimney, gas line or electricity is required—it allows for a lot of flexibility in how they can be incorporated into a space, much more so than wood or gas fireplaces. We have had clients place them in every type of project from Park Avenue mansions to restaurants to Madison Square Garden’s event suites. And we chose to design it and make it here in New York City so that we could make standard and custom models and guarantee the quality of both.

To see more of Arthur's work visit, www.slanyc.com. For more information about HearthCabinet visit, www.hearthcabinet.com