Melissa Cohen established Context, an interior architecture and design firm in 1999. The office is a residential and commercial studio with specialties in renovation, remodeling, space planning, custom furniture and cabinet design. As an interior architect and designer, she focuses on function, comfort, space planning, circulation and visual appeal. She also brings 20 years of experience in fine art that she incorporates into her design practice. Having worked as an artist with a vast array of materials, found objects, art techniques, and site-specific installations, she can call upon these experiences to produce clean, modern design as well as unexpected, witty and wry art commentary with a nod towards the cutting edge.

The mission of Context, as its name implies, is to use the explicit vocabulary of design with meeting real life challenges such as budget and spacial considerations. Design issues can be addressed at any budget. Close collaboration with her clients is a hallmark of her work. Often this relationship leads to mutually exciting new territories to explore. Her experience encompasses a variety of projects from loft and apartment renovations, to specialty commercial projects such as medical and film editing offices. Cohen has trained with architectural and interior design firms in corporate, retail, medical and residential design. And after researching and selecting materials and products for the famous Durst Building – 4 Times Square, the first “green” designed skyscraper in the world, she was inspired to incorporate green design into her own practice whenever practical. In 2004 she was pleased to relocate her office to the Hudson River Valley, in Rhinebeck, New York, where she lives with her husband, a film director and their two energetic boys.

Born in Hartford, CT
B.A. 1986 in Sculpture - University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
B.F.A 1999 in Interior Design - Fashion Institute of New York, New York , NY

Jeffrey Kerbeykian - High end medical and commercial offices with exciting architectural elements and residential comfort in mind in New York City

Leonard Braunschweiger & Assoc.s – Elegant and sophisticated architecturally inspired residences and commercial offices.

FRCH – Worldwide retail design office specializing in major department and flagship stores.

Fox & Fowle Architects – Internationally renown architecture and interior design office. Also known for the Conde Nast Building @ 4 Times Square, a 48 story mixed-use office building which received international recognition for its environmental bench work as the first environmentally responsible project of its size.

Penny Liebman Gallery 1996-2000
The Art Exchange Show, Anne Herron Productions, 60 Broad St. New York, NY 1997
Gramercy International Contemporary Art Fair – Gramercy Park Hotel, New York, NY 1996
Miami Art Fair – Raleigh Hotel, Miami, Florida 1997
Other Rooms – Ronald Feldman Gallery 1995
Amerika Haus – Made in Germany, Berlin, Germany – 1993
Artist Live and Work Grant Berlin, Germany – 1990