For brothers Siamak, Babak, and Daniel Hakakian, collecting is a family affair. The trio, who own and operate the New York furniture mecca DDC Group, along with their father, Nader, focus on acquiring furniture pieces that have made a mark on design history. Before an item can enter their remarkable collection, all three must agree on its purchase. One standout in their fraternal trove is a pair of original doors by Antoni Gaudí for Casa Batlló in Barcelona (right). “Casa Batlló is an extraordinary project, and one that offered Gaudí complete and total creative freedom,” explains Babak. “It feels like we are the custodians of a real treasure.” Clearly, this addition required no debate. “Gaudí continually pushed the envelope in pursuit of his own aesthetic, and each project has such a monumental quality,” adds Siamak. Daniel agrees: “His material selections and attention to detail were incredible.” Of course, the doors are just one of the brothers’ many prized possessions— Babak is especially proud of a Zibaldone bookcase by Carlo Scarpa and Gaetano Pesce limited-edition chairs that were, he says, “basically made for us in red, white, and blue to honor 9/11.” And Siamak is quick to endorse a Calatrava chaise as a major find. But the family’s enthusiasm is not only for pieces from the past; their NoMad showroom, where they regularly display their personal collection, proves there’s a dazzling design future ahead and a world of new talent still out there for them to discover. —J.T.
Galerie Winter 2019
