FR Review:
Wayne Turett, principal of his namesake firm, designs with an agile mind and an inventive spirit. Turett first made his mark on New York in the mid-80s, redesigning a classic urban icon, the newsstand (receiving the prestigious City Art Commission Award). Following that, he worked on a number of commercial products, including the conception of the NewsBar chain (combination newsstand and coffee bar). Turett brings that same entrepreneurial spark to his current focus: residential architecture. His projects tend to be large, often in scale and always in ambition. They blend a crisp, warm contemporary style with unique design elements, enlivening everything from country retreats to townhouses (the latter being a particular specialty). Clients emphasize Turett's creativity, but also praise his patience and integrity, saying he will only take those commissions on which he can do his best work.
Turett received architectural degrees from the University of Illinois and Pratt Institute, worked for a number of New York firms, and founded The Turett Collaborative in 1984. He currently fields a staff of fourteen, with anywhere from nine to twelve projects in the works at any given time. Clients say he is the most animated during the design phase, where his problem-solving skills and attention to detail are roundly praised. Once construction begins, a project manager steps up to bat, handling the follow-through, while Turett remains available if issues arise. Weekly meetings are standard, though for more involved projects, the firm is often in daily contact with clients. The firm has several interior designers on staff and can supervise the building process as well, making it a true full-service operation.
Budgets typically start at $150,000, and go up depending on the size and scope of the project. Clients note that Turett's experience in commercial architecture means that the paperwork is always tidy and organized. They also stress that Turett is brilliant with creative challenges, saying that while all architects solve problems, Turett “solves them in ways that nobody has ever thought of."
Representative Client Comments:
"We had a tough project due to lack of interior light, out–of-date plumbing, and a ‘divided’ narrow area. Wayne & Co. brought our long, narrow, dark space into the light by raising a loft and creating a new and fabulous ‘open’ connected interior design." "Does his best work on complete projects." "Wayne was able to deal with a sometimes difficult contractor with skills of a diplomat." "Listened to me, but insisted on some points. There was some friction, but he was right, so I'm glad he stuck to his guns." "Wayne is both classic and avant-garde." "A good listener." "Wayne will find a way to make your home more interesting." "The architecture was very high end--it included a floor fish pond in the living room, an elevator, custom stairs, a custom kitchen, and much more." "Don't try to make him do anything too traditional, let him do what he does best: clean, contemporary, brilliant work." "Wayne has a straightforward, unpretentious style of explanation that is disarming. Mutual respect and calmness (as well as lightheartedness) seems to be the most fitting description of his office." "For Wayne, design is not produced in a vacuum but responds to unique conditions established by the client and site."
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