Nikolas Koenig

Public Chicago Hotel by Ian Schrager

Nikolas — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:31:54 +0000

Here is an interesting write up by Pilar Viladas of the New York Times Magazine on Ian Schrager’s latest endeavor, the Public Hotel in Chicago. Her article is accompanied by some of my pictures I have taken for the hotel. I am now in my 12th year taking pictures of Ian Schrager’s projects, and I will always remember my very first shoot, which was the model room of the Hudson Hotel in NY. I have probably photographed several hundred hotel rooms by now, and can say that that particular shoot, my first big shoot for him, and as “luck” had it, of this tiny room with dark wood panelled walls, in the pre-digital era, when I was still shooting 4×5″ on chrome and everything had to be lit, exposed & filtered perfectly, was more stressful and felt technically more challenging than almost anything I have ever done since.

For anyone interested in a visual of this little anecdote, I found this link on the web. The image on the left is a crop of my picture from 12 years ago.

Tom Kundig Lecture

Nikolas — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:18 +0000

On Wednesday, I attended a lecture by Tom Kundig at the New York Public Library. He recently published his second book called Houses 2, featuring 17 residential projects, of which two I had photographed (Montecito, CA and Sitges, Spain) and some of those pictures had been included in the book.

Admittedly, I have not attended many architecture lectures in my life but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Tom in person and hear him talk about his background, memories and references that have informed his work. Surprisingly down to earth and accessible human being. What a cool guy! He even managed to get me interested in hot rods (had to be there…).

Architectural Digest February

Nikolas — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:50:50 +0000

Here are the links to the stories mentioned in my last post:

James Magni: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/homes/2012/02/james-magni-design-beverly-hills-home-slideshow#slide=1

David Mann: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/homes/2012/02/david-mann-new-york-apartment-slideshow#slide=1

Architectural Digest February Issue

Nikolas — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:33:16 +0000

It’s already been on the news stand for a couple of weeks, so I thought I should mention that I have two stories in that issue:
One is the very first shoot I did for AD (Clarity of Vision, p.82) with the amazing Robert Rufino last May of a modernist home from the 60′s in Beverly Hills by James Magni of Magni Design. Given that I had never worked for AD before, there was a natural nervousness on my part going into the shoot. Also, during my “interview” at the magazine’s offices within the Conde Nast building on Times Square preceding the shoot, Robert had flipped silently through both of my portfolios that I had brought into the meeting, and I only recall him saying two things: “hello” when we met and “thank you” when he left the room. So, it is fair to say I didn’t exactly have a good read on what he thought of me and my work and what working together would be like. Needless to say, there was no reason to worry, and Robert turned out to be, beyond the obvious refined taste and immaculate style he brings to a shoot, a “very cool cat” (no further comment) and I consider every shoot I have done for AD in general, and with Robert in particular, to be a great honor.

The second story, also with Robert, is of a beautiful project by David Mann of MR Architecture + Decor (Sparkling Attitude, p.112) for Darcy Miller Nussbaum and her family. A very nice little moment was orchestrated by Darcy, Senior Vice President and Weddings Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, who had learned literally only minutes before the end of the day, that it was my birthday. I was surprised with a cake and little drawing by her, and considering all the things she had going on that day (she was at the time preparing, styling and organizing for an upcoming private event for Martha Stewart at her house with several co-workers), I found it to be a very considerate and sweet gesture.

Darcy Miller's birthday card

Works for me!

Nikolas — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:48:55 +0000

This is what awaits you when you enter your room at the Sunset Tower hotel in LA.

My past seven weeks:

Nikolas — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:59:04 +0000

San Diego, Helsinki, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Jamaica, Bilbao, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin =
359 GB unprocessed raw files (stills only, no video data)

I received this email from American Airlines while traveling, which made me appreciate the number 1 Million (during times where people own billions and countries owe trillions) in a refreshing new way:

“Dear Nikolas Koenig,

Congratulations on earning 1,000,000 AAdvantage® miles!

Whether you eagerly awaited this achievement or didn’t realize it occurred, I want you to know that we think it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating.”

AD & W

Nikolas — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:44:30 +0000

Photographed several stories for Architectural Digest in the past months. First one to be published in their October issue. Also photographed my first piece for W magazine.
Shot Yotel in Manhattan for Softroom/Rockwell Group. Other noteworthy projects include a private townhouse at 40 Bond St, a private residence in the Nouvel building on the West Side highway, another building for Studios Architecture, and the first (and incredible) private Residence designed by Daniel Libeskind.

Nikolas — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:51:31 +0000

Photographed a spectacular private residence by Tom Kundig in Sitges, Spain. Photographed for Hyatt their new Andaz brand in New York on 5th Avenue.
Finally started to shoot Ian Schrager and Marriott’s new hotel brand “Edition”. Visited and photographed their first property in Waikiki over three shoots in 2010. The design company for this was Yabu Pushelberg.
Went to Istanbul a couple weeks ago to photograph their second collaborative effort, this time with the help of Gabellini Shepherd architects. Images are still being retouched but should be up to the public eye very soon.
Currently being completely occupied by a big project for Addison Group, an Annual report for one of their clients. Shooting for Rockwell Group at the end of the week.
I left my agent Chris Boals Artists of nine (!) years at the end of last year, and am enjoying being in complete control again, and communicating directly with my clients. This year has started tremendously, and I am excited for what is to come.

New York Times T Design Fall 2010

Nikolas — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:14:14 +0000

Michael Maltzan’s design for a house in the San Gabriel, California

Latest editorial

Nikolas — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:10:31 +0000

Story and Cover for Inc. Magazine on New York Jets new training facility designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

New stories coming out in August in Wallpaper and Conde Nast Traveller UK