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The Brass Tacks: Architect-Designed Hooks, Shelves, and Mirrors Starring the Plus Sign

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The Brass Tacks: Architect-Designed Hooks, Shelves, and Mirrors Starring the Plus Sign

June 24, 2024

Architect Steven Gertner’s just-unveiled collection of hooks, shelves, and mirrors all have a single element in common: “I was looking for something that could be used to make a wide variety of objects,” he tells us.”I kept returning to the plus shape because of its natural strength and symmetry.”

All signs seemingly led Steven, a graduate of Harvard’s GSD, to focus on useful, everyday objects. Early in his career, after working for MOS Architects, he paid the rent by designing fasteners and fastener installation tools. “This was my introduction to precise machining processes, which I came to really love,” he says.  Steven also grew up around hardware: “my grandparents made molded oak shelving in the 1960s, first in their Brooklyn basement and later in workshops throughout the city.” So, he notes, even if unintentionally, his own Bed-Stuy Brooklyn basement workshop, Goux Studio, is a continuation of the family business.

So far, this is a word-of-mouth venture—thank you, Jess Hinshaw of Shapeless Studio for the tip-off. Join us for a first look.

Photography by Jonathan Hökklo, courtesy of Goux Studio.

&#8\2\20;the plus collection evolved from a simple experiment in the possib 17
Above: “The Plus Collection evolved from a simple experiment in the possibilities of using one form—the plus-shape—to build an entire world of objects,” writes Steven. The Plus Hook is shown here in Bone, one of four available colors; $150.

All of the items begin as detailed drawings and prototypes that Steven makes himself. His basement is where he himself does the production woodworking and assembly of each piece. The metal elements are aluminum that is precision-tooled locally.

above: the plus hook, \$\150, can be used individually or as a group and is des 18
Above: The Plus Hook, $150, can be used individually or as a group and is designed to hold hats, scarves, bags, and umbrellas. Note the pin stopper on top that prevents slippage.

Steven promises that all of the products can be installed with basic tools: “The clarity of the joinery and installation methods, both visible and invisible, are important aspects of the design.”

the plus planter type b, \$600, is made of spun aluminum and includes a plus sh 19
Above: The Plus Planter Type B, $600, is made of spun aluminum and includes a Plus-Shaped Bracket, both are shown in Graphite. See also the rounded Planter Type A.
studio goux plus shelves start at \$475. they&#8\2\17;re 3\2 inches long an 20
Above: Studio Goux Plus Shelves start at $475. They’re 32 inches long and can be used individually or in a “long run.” Shown here are two 10-Inch Base Units and and a 10-Inch Add-On Unit in maple with Clay hardware. Brackets and installation pegs are included.
plus shelves are intended for storage and display. these are in maple with bone 21
Above: Plus Shelves are intended for storage and display. These are in maple with Bone and Graphite brackets.
the plus nightstand type a, \$450, comes in solid maple (shown) or rift sawn wh 22
Above: The Plus Nightstand Type A, $450, comes in solid maple (shown) or rift-sawn white oak and in four bracket colors.
the plus nightstand type b in maple with a plus shaped bracket in oxblood; \$45 23
Above: The Plus Nightstand Type B in maple with a plus-shaped bracket in Oxblood; $450.
the collection includes two groups of mirrors made of stainless steel polished  24
Above: The collection includes two groups of mirrors made of stainless steel polished “to a remarkable degree of clarity.” This is the Plus Mirror Type B, which comes in three sizes starting at $800.

The mirrors attach to the wall at a single point: “Once installed, the small plus-shaped brackets are like little beauty marks on the mirror surface,” explains Steven, “but they’re also part of a fastener assembly that securely clamps the mirror to a mounting cleat on the reverse side.”

if you&#8\2\17;re looking for steven, you can find him in his brooklyn base 25
Above: If you’re looking for Steven, you can find him in his Brooklyn basement workshop—he’s captured here in a Plus Mirror Type A.

Take a look at our Brass Tacks stories for more ideas, including:

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Product summary  Item 6 155Item 7 156

The Brass Tacks ArchitectDesigned Hooks Shelves and Mirrors Starring the Plus Sign portrait 4
Hooks & Rails

Plus Hook

$150.00 USD from Goux Studio
The Brass Tacks ArchitectDesigned Hooks Shelves and Mirrors Starring the Plus Sign portrait 7
Cabinet Hardware

Plus Shelves

$475.00 USD from Goux Studio

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