Case Study: Skyline on Stokes
Luxury Residential Lobby, in collaboration with Christy Gray Art Consulting
Project Overview
For the Skyline on Stokes, a new luxury residential development, art consultant Christy Gray invited me to create a large-scale work for the building’s lobby. The vision for the project was clear: to bring modern, colorful activations into the shared spaces — art that could both complement the interiors and infuse them with life.
The Challenge
Several constraints shaped the design. The lobby featured existing finishes — a wood paneling detail that ran halfway up the wall — which meant the artwork needed to “bump out” in specific places to align with the architecture. An existing painting had already been selected for the space, so my piece needed to complement without competing: standing in dialogue with the painting rather than clashing. And finally, the installation itself had to strike a balance — complex enough in concept to feel layered and engaging, but executed with enough technical clarity to install seamlessly.
The Process
I focused on introducing color in an abstract, formally driven way. After experimenting with multiple approaches, I landed on a composition built from wood and enamel. Enamel offered a rich, luminous finish, while wood provided grounding structure. Over 150 individual wood components were cut and hand-sanded — a small but intentional gesture that softened each plane, bringing a subtle warmth and tactility to what might otherwise feel flat or mechanical. This attention to touch transformed the overall rhythm of the work, allowing the handmade quality to reveal itself quietly through surface and edge.
The Final Work
Errant Three (10' x 4' x 3.77") was installed in the lobby as a commanding but playful presence. Its abstract composition adds depth and movement to the stark modern interior, while its colors resonate with the nearby painting, creating harmony without mimicry. The piece feels integrated — belonging to the space yet activating it with new energy.
The Impact
The work has been warmly received, both by the design team and in early impressions from residents. For those living in the building, Errant Three adds personality and warmth to the public realm, shaping their everyday experience of coming and going. In its balance of form and feeling, the work embodies two of the studio’s guiding values: harmony — through its dialogue with architecture and neighboring art — and reverence — through its handmade presence and careful attention to detail.