Crina Arghirescu Rogard

Crina Arghirescu Rogard’s New York-based architecture and interior design studio, Crina Architecture, is renowned for its sophisticated approach to contemporary luxury interiors. Specializing in designs that blend minimalist elegance with audacious creativity, the studio’s award-winning projects seamlessly merge timeless European aesthetics with a luxurious sense of modernity.

Since its founding in 2013, Crina Architecture has quickly become a leading force in the global design landscape, earning recognition for its bold, imaginative, and boundary-pushing work. The firm has been awarded the IFI gold medal for excellence in interior architecture, and is the four times winner of NYCxDESIGN Awards, further cementing its position as an innovator in the field. Crina Arghirescu Rogard’s designs have been featured in esteemed publications such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Wallpaper, New York Magazine, and Elle Decor.

(Portrait, photo credit Sheena Kim @UniqueLapin)

As a kid, what did you answer when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
My answer always wove together a few different lives. In the mornings, I imagined myself as a doctor, using precision and care to make a difference. By afternoon, I’d switch gears entirely, dreaming of being a ballet dancer, embracing movement, creativity, and artistry. And on weekends, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my primary school teacher, someone who inspired and guided me with patience and dedication.

It’s funny how life unfolds—working as an architect, I feel I’ve somehow embraced each of these aspects. Architecture blends artistic expression with the precision required in medicine, where every millimeter matters and attention to detail is crucial, whether reviewing shop drawings, creating plans, or solving on-site challenges. And in a way, my role includes a bit of teaching, as I guide clients, collaborate with teams, and mentor younger colleagues. It’s a career that encapsulates each of those childhood dreams in its own unique way.

Which designer and/or piece of work inspires you? Why?
I am passionate about furniture created in the 20th and 21st century, and spend many nights scouting auctions in Europe and the US. Maria Pergay, Gae Aulenti, Franco Albini, Charlotte Perriand, Gio Ponti are amongst my all time idols. In fact, I recently designed an armchair, which we named “Dreaming of Gio” in honor of this Italian design mastermind. But I also equally enjoy immersing myself in the creative scene, and keeping close to young artists and creatives, showing support, and being among the first to commission pieces from them, such as Aurore Vullierme, Hugo Besnier, Thomas van der Noten, Roxanne Revon to name a few – before they get snatched by well-known galleries. This intricate bond between history and contemporary talents is what, to me, brings poetry, audacity, and an unexpected harmony to a project.

How would you describe your design philosophy?
I see space and interior design as a story of contrast between the spare fluidity of the architecture and the poetic dialogue that I seek to establish between the furniture, objects and art that I assemble to create unexpected connections between them as well as a calming sense of atemporality.

My architectural inspiration is definitely anchored in the pure lines of minimalism. I always look to create a simple, natural and elegant flow in the spaces that I build or remodel. For me, the harmony created by a perfectly serene and architecturally unadorned space is a perfect canvas upon which to create an elegant and poetic interior, which I believe is at the heart of my practice. My approach is not dissimilar to that of a collector in that I seek inspiration in pieces of different periods –vintage and contemporary – as well as different materials, colors and textures and assemble them to create a new, personal and atemporal, reality.

Can you tell us two design studios you love to follow on Instagram?
Lionel Jadot @atelier_lioneljadot
Studio Daniel K @daniel.k________

Give us some context about where you live: How long you’ve been there and how does it influence your work?
After living in Milan to study at the Politecnico di Milano School of Architecture where I became captivated by Italy’s artistic and architectural heritage, and Paris where I immersed myself in the elegance, luxury, and craftsmanship for which France is renowned, honing my skills and refining my eye, twelve years ago, I made New York my home. This city, like my approach to design, thrives on contrast—the grandeur and the grit, the bold eccentricity alongside minimalism. New York’s ceaseless creative energy, especially within its dynamic art scene, continues to shape and inspire me. I frequently visit artists’ workshops, and the city’s vibrancy sparks fresh ideas and potential collaborations daily. It’s a place that demands innovation and offers boundless inspiration, fueling my work in ways I could never have anticipated.

Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to be a designer? If so, what was it?
My interest in architecture first took root during my early high school years in Romania, at Mihai Viteazul. I would spend weekend mornings at the Sala Dalles Library, captivated by architecture books that opened up worlds of possibility. I was especially drawn to utopian architecture and the conceptual, poetic visions of architects like Étienne-Louis Boullée. His imaginative, monumental designs captured my imagination and inspired me to see architecture as a discipline where vision and reality intersect—a perspective that still guides me today.

Which of your projects or products are you most proud? Why?
The greatest fulfillment in my practice comes from designing spaces that resonate deeply with our clients’ lifestyles. One project that stands out is our Warren Street apartment, on the 21st floor of a new glass-clad building in Tribeca. Our client, a sophisticated socialite with a passion for design but a surprising near-color-blindness, presented an intriguing challenge. We reimagined a whimsical yet minimalist interior, blending exacting architectural purity with a bold, unexpected color palette. We juxtaposed the rigor of modern architecture with a playful, eclectic mix of vintage Italian pieces and custom-designed art objects, all of which unexpectedly and beautifully belong together.

The result—a combination of sophistication, creativity, and unexpected elegance—captured the attention of The New York Times and earned us an NYCxDESIGN Award. This project embodies my belief that design should not only reflect the client’s taste but elevate their lifestyle in ways they never imagined.

What is the most pressing issue in the design world today?
One of our most critical challenges is the need to design responsibly in the face of environmental and social pressures. This means adapting interiors to last, rather than perpetuating a cycle of disposable design where spaces are ripped out and redone with every trend or tenant change.
Good design isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about layering it with intention, preserving what holds value, and seamlessly integrating the new. This allows interiors to evolve with purpose, balancing timelessness with modern relevance.
In this way, we foster a built environment that is rich in meaning, sustainable in practice, and adaptable for generations to come.

What’s now?
We are honored to have been entrusted to reimagine the interior decoration of the historical New York landmark building known as the Waterfall Mansion, originally built by architect Toshiko Mori. Known for its 22-foot high indoor waterfall, the townhouse is undergoing a transformation into a prestigious Piano Music School, La Maison École de Musique Française, led by visionary piano virtuoso Héloise Pieaud. Originally a hub for art, culture, and community, the building will now serve as an inspiring setting for music education, blending its iconic features with refined, acoustically tailored spaces that reflect French musical heritage and Arghirescu Rogard’s sophisticated design approach.
We are also excited to get more and more international projects, currently working on a villa in Saudi Arabia, and going back to my roots with a showroom in Bucharest for celebrity fashion designer Maria Lucia Hohan.

What is your favorite movie? And your favorite band or/and song?
‘Koolhaas Houselife’ by Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine. One of the most successful films about architecture in my opinion, that I think every architect and interior designer should watch. The film modestly yet brilliantly documents Rem Koolhaas’s Maison à Bordeaux through the perspective of Guadelupe, the property manager. Her day-to-day interaction with the building offers a raw, insightful lens that captures not only the creative brilliance and innovation of the design but also the practical challenges and nuanced beauty it brings to everyday life.
At the risk of sounding old school, classical compositions resonate most deeply with me. There’s something timeless about classical compositions that never fails to captivate me. I find Handel’s Keyboard Suite in D Minor particularly captivating, evoking a sense of drama and elegance that feels both grounding and inspiring.

To discover more about Crina’s work, visit: Crina Architecture