Architecture business evolves

MILLERTON — Architect John Allee first rented 5916 North Elm Ave. as the pop-up store SCHOOL (Design Knowledge for the Home) in December 2013, with partners from Poesis Design in Lakeville, Conn.When SCHOOL disassembled, Allee was back to square one.“I always wanted to do a design store to design furniture and objects and sell them,” he said. “In the end, it made sense to move my office here and reconnect with an old friend.”Prior to the move, Allee’s firm, Allee Architecture + Design, had been in Lakeville since 2002. As for the old friend, that’s Charlotte Tracy, Allee’s fellow graduate of The Millbrook School.The two opened meta44 on Oct. 10, bringing a new look to the building at the corner of routes 22 and 44.Having played a role in the planning and design of the building, Allee’s expertise was enlisted again for the exterior’s recent makeover with a visually striking black paint job.The two businesses — Allee Architecture + Design and meta44 — share a roof but are separate entities.For Allee Architecture + Design, the owner said his move was motivated by a lively client-base in Dutchess County.“There’s more energy here,” he said. “I really wanted more of a presence.”As an architect, Allee designs homes in the Tri-state area and beyond.“I loved coming up here as a kid,” he said about his initial move from New York City and formation of the business. “My goal was to find a way to come up here and raise a family.”As co-owner of meta44, Allee utilizes a different facet of design, producing unique furniture with help from local craftsmen that is sold in the store.“Prior to architecture school I was a builder and furniture-maker,” Allee said. “I’ve always liked working with my hands.”Allee’s partner, Tracy, now lives in San Francisco, where she sources handcrafted objects and independently produced goods from all over the world to stock in the store.Objects range anywhere from tableware to bags, home tools to children’s toys. “They’re everyday things people may use,” Allee said.According to a business-provided press release, “meta44 is a play on words (a metaphor for … ) but also a reference to the founders’ intention to deepen awareness of the many degrees of modern.” Meta44 is open on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.For more information contact 518-592-1370 or go to www.meta44.com.