Achille Salvagni finds New York at its most compelling in the moments where history lingers—woven into museums, libraries, and quiet sanctuaries that invite reflection. The Rome-born architect, artist, and designer is the creative force behind Achille Salvagni Atelier, a gallery dedicated to collectible design, as well as his internationally acclaimed architecture and design practice. Known for blending echoes of antiquity with contemporary vision, Salvagni gravitates toward havens where history whispers through marble, canvas, and text, inviting a conversation across time. These rituals are not escapes but vital sparks, grounding his practice in reverence and wonder. With each return, he unearths fresh meaning, shaping his world of design with depth and grace.
As a majestic new art season opens in New York, Whitewall spoke with Salvagni about the newly revived Frick Collection, the literary sanctuary of Albertine Books, and more, exploring the places that continue to enrich his creative journey.
Portrait by Francois Dischinger, Courtesy of Achille Salvagni.
Photograph by Matt Harrington, Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier.
WW: Best spot to find inspiration in New York?
ACHILLE SALVAGNI: When I’m in New York and I find a free afternoon, I’m often drawn to the Frick Collection or the Met. These are places I return to time and again—not out of habit, but because they continue to reveal new layers of meaning.
My creative process is deeply rooted in the dialogue with history and memory, so immersing myself in these institutions becomes an essential ritual. Whether it’s the patina of an 18th-century frame, the composition of a Renaissance altarpiece, or the quiet dignity of a marble bust, these encounters spark ideas for the projects I’m working on. They are, quite simply, inexhaustible sources of inspiration.
“These are places I return to time and again—not out of habit, but because they continue to reveal new layers of meaning,”
Achille Salvagni
I was delighted to experience the newly reopened Frick and discover a novel experience in an environment that was so familiar. Each room beams with youthful energy and the artworks shine brightly. The addition of Vladimir Kanevsky’s porcelain flowers for the opening, inspired by the real flowers from the museum’s opening in 1935, create an even more whimsical atmosphere, one I always loved about the Frick.
WW: Best off-the-beaten-path to see art in New York?
AS: One lesser-known place that truly inspires me in New York is Magazzino Italian Art. Although located just outside the city, it feels like a secret sanctuary for anyone with a deep connection to and interest in Italian culture. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Giorgio Spanu, who, together with his team, has done something remarkable, assembling an authoritative collection of Italian postwar and Arte Povera works in a setting that feels both intimate and monumental. For me, visiting Magazzino is not only a way to reconnect with the artistic language of my heritage, but also a moment of quiet reflection. It reminds me that rigor, poetry, and material honesty can—and should—coexist in contemporary creation.
“Visiting Magazzino is not only a way to reconnect with the artistic language of my heritage, but also a moment of quiet reflection,”
Achille Salvagni
WW: Best-kept secret in New York?
AS: If I had to share a secret place in New York, I would reveal a quiet refuge I return to often: Albertine Books, at 972 Fifth Avenue. From time to time, I retreat into that temple of silence, surrounded by books in a space steeped in stories and memories.
Housed within the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Albertine is far more than a bookstore — it’s an immersive library, a French literary salon in the heart of Manhattan. Its celestial ceiling, painted with constellations, evokes a sense of timelessness, while the shelves, lined with French and international authors, invite a dialogue across cultures and centuries.
“I retreat into that temple of silence, surrounded by books in a space steeped in stories and memories,”
Achille Salvagni
For me, it’s a place of stillness and inspiration — a corner of Paris nestled within the rush of New York, where I can reconnect with beauty, thought, and the more contemplative side of my work.
Achille Salvagni’s Best of New York:
1. The Frick Collection
Courtesy of The Frick Collection.
The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. – The Frick Collection
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Exterior view of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Brett Beyer,
courtesy of The Met.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online. – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3. Magazzino Italian Art
UPSTATE ART WEEKEND Opening Celebration at Magazzino Italian Art, courtesy of UPAW and BFA.
Magazzino Italian Art is a museum and research center dedicated to advancing scholarship and the public appreciation of postwar and contemporary Italian art and culture. Located in Cold Spring, New York, the museum was founded by Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu in 2017. – Magazzino Italian Art
4. Albertine Books
Courtesy of Albertine Books, New York.
Tucked inside the historic Payne Whitney mansion, Albertine is the only bookshop in New York devoted solely to books in French and English with more than 14,000 contemporary and classic titles from 30 French-speaking countries. – Albertine Books
5. Achille Salvagni Atelier
Photograph by Matt Harrington, Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier.
Photograph by Matt Harrington, Courtesy of Achille Salvagni Atelier.
The Rome-based collectible design atelier, with galleries in Rome, London, and New York, embodies a multidisciplinary vision where furniture, lighting, and objets d’art coexist with architectural exploration. Each visit becomes an immersive experience, transforming the space into a laboratory for experimentation with form, material, and narrative. – Achille Salvagni Atelier
