Lee Mindel's Extensive Design Collection Goes to Auction

Architect and designer Lee Mindel boasts an extensive collection of art and __design objects, which was auctioned off in a sale at Phillips called "Light & Aerie: The Collection of Lee F. Mindel, FAIA." The Interior Design Hall of Fame member is relocating from his New York City penthouse, where he has lived for over two decades, to 56 Leonard Street, a new tower by Herzog & de Meuron in TriBeCa. Mindel's firm, Shelton, Mindel, & Associates, designed the sales center for the building.

Mindel has spent the past 30 years amassing his collection, which includes works by celebrated __design talents Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Ettore Sottsass, and others. "[Building the collection] was discovering my own deconstructed architectural DNA—finding the opportunity to surround oneself with the great minds of design and architecture as articulated in their works," Mindel says.

The sale of his belongings (a collection of over 130 lots) presents Mindel with an opportunity to explore a new approach to living in his new home. "We are always in search of a new case-study type in architecture that seamlessly intregates architecture, interior, and context," he says.