Art of the Maker: Gabriel Hendifar

Apparatus is a New York-based interdisciplinary design studio with locations in New York, Los Angeles and London. Overseen by lighting designer Gabriel Hendifar, the spaces evoke different moods, yet each is grounded in a sense of escapism.

“Lighting is magic,” says Gabriel Hendifar, lighting designer, artistic director and co-founder at Apparatus. “I first started playing with light as a need, in a moment where my life presented a beautiful new relationship and an opportunity to reimagine what it felt like to live together.  There was a real creative energy and desire to make things that we lived with, and light was just a natural exploration in that moment,” recalls Hendifar.

Since its inception, Apparatus has grown into a thriving interdisciplinary studio exploring the relationship between lighting, furniture, objects and spaces.

Since its inception, Apparatus has grown to explore the relationship between lighting, furniture, objects and spaces. Today, the studio structures its collections as acts. “They all have both historical and design references and create envelopes for us to tell specific stories. Ultimately, those stories are populated by the people who interact with the work, both here and in their own homes,” explains Hendifar. The collections favour humble and natural materials such as stone, leather, glass and brass – “things that feel almost elemental.” These acts also have Hendifar’s personal histories interweaved within them, like the exploration of his family’s past in Iran.

Located on 30th Street in Manhattan, Apparatus’ New York location houses the studio’s creative and operation headquarters and a gallery. One enters via a bank door and elongated entry hall that leads to Gallery One, a space reimaged as the red room in anticipation of the launch of the Cylinder System. Gallery Two has a slightly more intimate feel, and Gallery Three houses the majority of the collection that’s in continuous production, which is bordered by the executive offices and the lounge. “I almost think of it as a soundstage,” says Hendifar. “There’s something about the fact we’re so close to this reality outside of our doors, that’s so different to the reality we have created here, that gives me the continuous desire to create this fantasy that’s insulated from the outside world.”

“There’s something about the fact we’re so close to this reality outside of our doors, that’s so different to the reality we have created here, that gives me the continuous desire to create this fantasy that’s insulated from the outside world.”

The Los Angeles space takes a slightly different approach. Featuring an entry foyer with two adjoining sales galleries completely clad in stone, it emulates an early ‘70s grotto feel. From there, one moves into Gallery One, which is entirely silver plastered, before moving into the warm enveloping hug of the cork in Gallery Two.

Hendifar is most proud of taking the chance to pursue this creative journey and letting it direct his path while inspiring others with what he creates. “When you get to make an object that creates light, and when you get to think about how that light touches people and the things in the room that it’s illuminating, it’s really a powerful expression.”

Interior design by Apparatus.