Just over two years ago, architect Donald M. Rattner founded a bricks-and-mortar shop in Brooklyn called Module R. The store sells modular and customizable art and design objects, and from the looks of its positive online reviews, it’s built a devoted following. “When people come into the physical store and see this collection of objects, they have a great response,” Rattner says.
The concept for Module R actually came out of a prefab residential project Rattner did in the early 2000’s. (It won a Residential Architect Design Award in 2003.) “That project introduced me to the whole idea of modularity in general, starting with architecture and then moving to fine art and product design,” he explains.
Architects are well represented on Module R’s in-person and virtual shelves, including their own section on the website as well as an enticing list of gift ideas. And Rattner has instituted a program for design professionals and artists, giving them a 10 percent discount on many items.