His work has elevated hospitality and residential interiors, including restaurants like the new and refined Scarpetta in Soho’s James Hotel and jeweler David Yurman’s Tribeca headquarters, as well as the residences at The Beekman and the private residences of Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. But before now, he had never tackled an event space.  “We wanted to differentiate the hospitality experience at our venue – to provide an atmosphere of timeless luxury.  Equally as important was to create a feeling of comfort that would mirror the coziness of a high-end condo,” says Glasshouses partner Jack Guttman.  “We want our clients and their guests to experience a type of glamourous hospitality, which is Thomas’ forte.”

“What Glasshouses does is rent space just designed enough that an event planner can add their own expression,” he says.  “Usually, the last thing I want when I design a space is that someone comes in and adds another layer. That’s like someone shaving your kid’s head.”  It was clear to Juul-Hansen that he would need to take a different direction, but the challenge intrigued him.

His approach with The Glasshouse was thus to find balance.  Throughout the event space, Juul-Hansen executes classic design with signature expression, creating a foundation nonspecific enough to easily customize.  Subtle gold leaf complements programmable levels of color-changing ceiling lights for elegance when formality is appropriate.  “If you’re having a wedding for 700 people the space has enough integrity where elegant design would be feasible,” says Juul-Hansen. “The beauty of The Glasshouse is that the next day Beyoncé can give a concert.  The day after that you can launch a new Tesla.”

And everyone else would feel like Beyoncé in the stunning VIP lounge, a dramatic yet warm respite with a sexy backlit bar of Kenya Black marble.  The floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the glittering New York City views expected from a Glasshouses venue.  Brass umbrella light fixtures create an ambience appropriate for both a business meeting or an afterparty.  “I wanted to create a sort of chandelier-like light fixture that operates more like a down light,” says Juul-Hansen. “So light is actually sent downwards, illuminating the table and the furniture that’s below.”

The green rooms are extremely rare event space amenity offered at The Glasshouse, each featuring their own floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces for maximum vitamin D impact.  Each room boasts luminous Broadway-style vanity mirrors with a legion of attractive silver-bowl bulbs, pleasing both the keynote speaker with a professional makeup entourage and the discerning mother of the bride with opinions to share.

Each green room features a unique design; textured and low-slung modern furniture open up the spaces, while carpet softens the effect created by the rich hardwood floors. “There’s an emotional response to having these huge rugs that cover almost the entire floor,” says Juul-Hansen.  “It creates a much warmer environment, which I think is what you want to do in a green room. To almost de-stress the behind-the-scenes environment a little bit.”

Each green room and the VIP lounge provide an additional level of hospitality.  They come equipped with their own private bathroom with shower, immediately calming guests with wrappings of sumptuous brown Italian marble, a Juul-Hansen specialty and hand selected by Glasshouses partners Jack Guttman and Alex Holiday.  “The restrooms were places where we thought we could add a little more design impact,” says the designer.  “Obviously, an event designer isn’t going to come in and re-do the bathrooms.”

It’s a prime example of what positions The Glasshouse as a disruptor in the New York City venue landscape.  Not only are the superior space, lighting, and sound systems the best there is to offer, but for event planners and their clients, behind-the-scenes is a sought-after destination on its own: meditative spaces with sleek yet comfortable and luxurious cosmopolitan design befitting the sophisticated glamour of New York City herself.

It’s a secret that won’t be a secret much longer.

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