The Smile, the new luxury rental designed inside and out by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, is the very first building in New York City to outfit some of its apartments with a modular furniture system by Bumblebee Spaces. The Smile features five apartments outfitted with modular furniture by Bumblebee Spaces. Most are already occupied, with plans to install more in the near future.
Designed by former Apple and Tesla engineers, Bumblebee’s modular furniture system creates interactive surroundings by utilizing cubic space rather than relying solely on square footage. Using a sophisticated robotic system that’s affixed to the ceiling, Bumblebee can effortlessly summon and stow-away storage, bed, desk, and wardrobe into the ceiling.
Carefully considered and beautifully crafted, the modular system is built into a ceiling-mounted grid that can hold several tons of weight, allowing the furnishings to come and go when the resident needs or wants to use it. For example, users can “ask” Bumblebee to bring down a particular item they’ve stowed away. Looking for a hat or umbrella on a rainy day? Don’t worry, Bumblebee remembers where you put it all!
The Smile
Inspired by its unique curved architecture and playful amenity programming, The Smile is a one-of-a-kind new rental development from the internationally known Danish architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, built by a leading New York developer with strong community and philanthropic ties.
Image © NOISE 
Image © NOISE
The Smile is located in Upper Manhattan in the heart of Harlem at East 126th Street and Lexington Avenue, a rare new ground-up residential building in the neighborhood, overlooking Harlem’s historic “Main Street” and cultural capital, 125th Street steps from the subway and Metro-North stations. The 11-story building features 163 market-rate apartments and 70 affordable apartments set aside for low- and middle-income residents (with preference given to those already residing within Community Board 11).
Inside, the lobby’s rainbow colors and Harlem-inspired murals lead to studio, one- and two-bedroom homes that play with industrial and minimalist design with modern comforts. Within the apartments, white monolithic floors and exposed concrete details create a unique backdrop for custom open kitchens with Italian stainless steel cabinetry. Every home features touchless Latch smart entry locks, a washer and dryer, oversized closets rare for NYC apartments and floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure each room feels full of sun and air.
Image © NOISE 
Image © NOISE
The Smile provides residents with a robust amenity package including complete spa, fitness and work-from-home experience. The list includes The Smile Rooftop Club, with swimming pool, three whirlpools, grilling and dining areas and open-air movie theater all in a beautiful landscaped setting with panoramic views of the Harlem River and Manhattan skyline.
The Smile Fitness Club, a state-of-the-art fitness center that includes yoga and personal training rooms. The Smile Spa, a facility on par with the city’s leading spas and featuring a Hamam, sauna and steam rooms, color-changing LED Himalayan salt room, cold room and private treatment rooms. The building also includes a spacious co-working studio, lounge and game room with wet bar, commercial kitchen, 24-hour attended lobby and virtual concierge services. Source and images Courtesy of NOISE.