Our Designers

MICHAEL WOLK

Making Design Matter is Michael Wolk’s guiding philosophy……an approach that is integral to the timeless style, inspired solutions and ultimate comfort that Wolk brings to each of the design projects and furnishings collections that his studio undertakes.

As a student at Pratt Institute in New York, where he grew up, Michael Wolk’s intense design focus and burgeoning talent attracted John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who hired him to design their Joko Recording Studio…..his first professional commission.

After graduating from Pratt, Wolk was invited to Miami to explore a variety of professional design opportunities. His classic, modernist approach melded perfectly with the needs of both residential and hospitality clients there….. and Michael Wolk Design Associates was established. The firm’s more prestigious clients have included The Related Group, Dezer/Trump Developers, Burger King, Lionstone Development Corporation, Goldman Properties, MIA Shoes……plus numerous private clients. The firm’s acclaimed style and versatility have resulted in clients who return frequently with new projects.

Equally well-known for his furniture and furnishings designs, Wolk creates collections for a select group of the country’s leading residential and contract furniture companies. Many of his designs are now regarded as enduring classics. Among the manufacturers of current Wolk-designed collections are Brueton, Directional, Loewenstein, R. Jones, David Edward, DIA, Campbell Contract, American Leather, Della Robbia, Cabot Wren, Tomlinson, and Johnston Casuals, as well as lighting for Ilex and Boyd.

Throughout, Michael Wolk has maintained an abiding interest in creating one-of-a-kind art furniture and wall art. His art furniture has had repeated gallery showings and his wall art includes collections that he has designed for Rosenbaum Fine Art. One of which was picked up by Crate and Barrel.

Michael Wolk is the recipient of frequent accolades for his work, including Best of Neocon, AIA Interior Designer of the Year, ASFD Pinnacle Awards, the DCOTA Stars of Design Award for Best Product Designer, grand prizes in many Florida Style Furniture Design Competitions, the American Corporate Identity Award for Excellence, numerous Sandi Awards from IIDA and Sophie awards from NEWH.

The firm’s interiors and product designs are regularly published in top publications in the US and internationally.

 

 

DEAN MALTZ

Dean Maltz’s practice encompasses three areas: an independent architectural practice, a partnership with Shigeru Ban, and furniture design.

In 1990, Maltz founded his design practice, Dean Maltz Architect (DMA). The firm has a diverse portfolio of residential projects throughout the United States, including estates, houses, apartments, and lofts, as well as commercial projects, such as offices, retail space, building identity, and hospitality design. Maltz began working with Shigeru Ban Architects (SBA) in 1999 and is the Managing Partner of the New York office, responsible for all SBA projects in North and South America. Recent projects include the Cast Iron House (2017), the Aspen Art Museum (2014), the Metal Shutter House (2011), and the Nomadic Museum (2005).

Dean Maltz Architect designs furniture for leading residential and commercial furniture manufactures in the United States and Italy. Product categories include upholstery, chairs, bedrooms, dining groups, occasional tables, and storage systems. Maltz has received recognition in competitions and exhibitions such as Progressive Architecture’s 3rd Annual International Furniture Competition, and he was awarded the ASID Pinnacle Award for furniture design (2005), the Society of American Registered Architects’ Architectural Innovation Award (2012), and an International Property Award (2014).

Maltz graduated from the Cooper Union School of Architecture in 1984, and was awarded the A.I.A. Certificate of Achievement. Prior to completing his undergraduate education, he spent a year living and working in Tokyo, Japan. He attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design, graduating with a Masters of Architecture in 1986. Maltz has taught at a number of institutions, including Columbia University, Washington University, and Cornell University.

 

 

STANLEY JAY FRIEDMAN

Stanley Jay Friedman is an American Furniture and Product designer . Born in New York, and a graduate of Parsons the New School for Design ( Parsons School of Design ). Friedman formed his own atelier in New York City in the mid 1970's. In order to express his belief's, Friedman's ethic is a total commitment to a design philosophy he has always believed in, which is to influence, control and design the entire project. Whether or not it proved successful he leaves it to the future to decide.

In 1997 , Friedman gave up his architectural interior design practice to concentrate solely on his major passion which is furniture and product design. His designs have been published and have appeared in many motion pictures numerous times. He has achieved many successes, as well as awards and commendations: including the Dupont Antron Grand Prize Award, IBD Awards, Roscoe Awards, Good Design Awards, The Pinnacle Award, and many others.

Although Friedman's name has been synonymous with designing product for the architecture and designer trade he also designs for notable American and European manufacturers. He is recognized by fellow designers and architects for his clean barrier-breaking modern designs. With an eye on cutting edge technologies, Friedman's passion for pushing boundaries and experimenting has led to his reputation for being a savvy forward thinking designer. Friedman's lecturing on the evolution of modernism has taken him to cities around the world from New York to Moscow. His focused concern is the relatively slow emergence of the understanding and acceptance of modernism in our homes. Friedman says he never tires of designing. He has more inspiration today then he had in 1970. Motivated by today's larger and younger audience, he constantly challenges himself and looks forward to doing his best work.