ABOUT APARTMENT ZERO

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Apartment Zero sets the standard for representing the world’s most iconic and innovative design objects, created by established and emerging industrial designers whose vision resonates with those who interact with their creations. Originally a visual retreat for the style-savvy consumer from 1999-2010, Apartment Zero now represents the best in furniture, lighting, floor textiles, and outdoor furniture for corporate, hospitality, multi-family, cultural, educational, and institutional clients in both commercial and residential markets. To view our full collection, please see our Apartment Zero Vendor Line List 2024.pdf and visit our Brand Page. Additionally, Apartment Zero promotes exceptional design through its cultural public program series in conjunction with area embassies and museums. Consisting of over 50 exhibitions and events, Apartment Zero has showcased and presented collectable design, limited-editions and one-offs from some of the worlds most noteworthy artists.

HISTORY

In 1999, Apartment Zero captured the attention of design enthusiasts nationwide by pushing the boundaries of industrial design and locating its business in the heart of the nation’s capital. Partners, Douglas Burton and Christopher Ralston, quickly became Washington DC’s leading resource for experimental contemporary design by providing area residents with international objects never before seen in the region. Their large selection of well-edited products represented industrial design innovations, new materials and developing technologies. Apartment Zero marketed quality products to design conscious consumers who appreciated style in all its forms, while quickly becoming a contemporary cultural center for the community as well as a destination for design education and incubation. In a city where Corinthian columns are still the order of the day, the owners of Apartment Zero offered a refreshing alternative. The showroom, the public programs series and most recently the interior design studio all became champions of the contemporary movement both through the products they represented, as well as the support they gave to talented contemporary designers. Christopher and Douglas encouraged young artists who had the vision to create the products of the future today, and showcased their wares through exhibits and special events in venues as varied as embassies, museums, universities and cultural institutions. Working as a gallery, as well as a retail space, Apartment Zero continues to present the work of the up-and-coming with the same enthusiasm bestowed upon their network of renowned contemporary designers from around the globe.

COLLABORATION WITH INSTITUTIONS

Apartment Zero has collaborated with The National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, The National Building Museum, The Hirshhorn Museum, The Smithsonian Institution and The Smithsonian Associates, The Phillips Collection, Hillwood Museum and Gardens, MICA, The Cooper-Hewitt Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Shelburne Museum, American Institute of Architects, The Industrial Designers Society of America, The World Trade Center, Dallas, The Seattle Design Market, The High Point International Market, I-Strategy Labs, International Appraisers Association, The European Union in the United States, The Art Institute, and the Embassies of Spain, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Latvia, Italy and Switzerland.

COLLABORATION WITH DESIGNERS

The following industrial designers and curators appeared on behalf of Apartment Zero: James Dyson, Marcel Wanders, Karim Rashid, Roberto Palomba, Ingegard Raman, Constantin and Laurene Boym, Harry Allen, Peter Danko, Martin Azua, Juli Capella, Jonah Takagi, Robert Foster, Jurgen Bey, Ellen Lupton, Oiva Toikka, Norway Says, Jonathan Adler, Angela Adams, Josh Owen, Tachi Mora, Yksi Design, Pim Van Den Akker, Ben Van Berkel, Rem Koolhaas and David Trubridge.

MUSEUM DONATIONS

Apartment Zero is pleased to donate a selection of its vast industrial design collection to museums around the United States. Consisting of functional art, collectable design, one-offs and limited-edition pieces, our first round of donations can be seen here:

Apartment Zero Museum Donations: Houston, Atlanta, Indianapolis

EXHIBITIONS | PROGRAMS

Continuing its public program series and exhibition schedule, Apartment Zero produced and curated the first Washington DC International Design Festival in 2013. It was the culmination of over 50 different events and exhibitions that had taken place years prior. To view our entire exhibition series, please see Apartment Zero at 25 , Celebrating Two Decades of Cultural Diplomacy and Design Exhibitions

MEDIA COVERAGE

Apartment Zero, has appeared locally on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations and appeared nationally on HGTV, the Style Network and the BBC and has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Surface, Wallpaper, Dwell, Food and Wine, Travel and Leisure, Details, GQ, Metropolitan Home, Conde Nast Traveler, Azure, Elle Decor, In Style, Metropolis, Interior Design, I.D., Lucky, Domino, House Beautiful, Elle, Fodors, Dezeen, VM+SD, Home and Design, DC Modern Luxury, Southern Living, Oprah Magazine, Abitare, Architonic, Hospitality Design, and Dezeen among others.

AWARDS

Apartment Zero was the recipient of the Momentum Award from the city of Washington DC for its efforts to raise awareness of poverty through design fundraising with the Royal Netherlands embassy and Marcel Wanders.