News, Thoughts & Ideas

Some random thoughts about architecture, design and architectural practice. Hopefully informative or at least an enjoyable read with nice pictures. From our Instagram.

Light filtering down onto the stairs and bridge-like hallways in our Williamsburg townhouse.

The pattern of a parquet floor imprinted onto the subfloor planks that were below it. The layers that are uncovered during demolition can be pretty fascinating. - - - - #brooklyntownhouse #architecture #townhouserenovation # #renovation

Restoration of original woodwork in this Manhattan townhouse project. - - - - #architecture #townhouserenovation #interiordesign #renovation #manhattantownhouse #historicpreservation

Old wood frame buildings in NYC often had brick infill between the wood studs of the exterior walls. This was called “nogging” and added some degree of fire resistance to the exterior envelope of the building. In select areas of this project we reinstalled the existing wood studs and nogging after reinforcing the structure with steel beams and columns. We left the entire assembly exposed as documentation of the history of the building. Before and after photos of the same location. - - - - #brooklyntownhouse #architecture #townhouserenovation #interiordesign #renovation #brick

The subdued facade of our Williamsburg Townhouse, featuring brick, steel and concrete block, emulates the surrounding context of brick warehouse buildings that exist in this corner of the neighborhood.

In this Fort Greene townhouse we created an undulating surface out of penny tiles that cascades down the wall, over the tub deck, down to the floor and up to the window sill. - - - - #brooklyntownhouse #architecture #townhouserenovation #interiordesign #renovation #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #bathroom

Another shot - reclaimed wood studs made into stair treads.

Repurposing demo material: here are stair treads and ceiling slats made out of studs that were removed while reconfiguring this 1860s building. The stair treads were built up like butcher block out of the old wood material and set into steel stringers. - - - #brooklyntownhouse #architecture #townhouserenovation #interiordesign #renovation #house #design #greenarchitecture #upcycling #farmhouse

A little color peeking out. This was a conversion of a doctor’s office to a loft-like apartment. High ceilings, mostly white, very selective use of color. - - - - - #architecture #interiordesign #renovation #loft #loftdesign #loftliving #loftinterior #loftconversion

History resonates in a gutted shell.

A lush palette of finishes enhances this master bathroom in our Fort Greene townhouse design. . . . . #townhouse #interiordesign #architecture #renovation #brooklyntownhouse #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #bathroom #bathroomrenovation #renovations #brooklynarchitects #brooklynarchitecture

Double-height kitchen, view from balcony above.

A banquette integrated into kitchen millwork. Tribeca loft renovation.

Williamsburg Townhouse. Skylight at the top of the main stair.

Skylit bathroom in our Williamsburg townhouse project. #design #architecture #townhouse

The mystery of the weird wall bump is solved. We learned from the contractor that this knot of piping is not going anywhere without the risk of damaging the incoming water service. So we’re stuck with this, but we can design around it. It will be a vast improvement to what was there before and it will also make our design more interesting. Design work does not end when the drawings are done. - - #construction #renovation #inprogress

Our Cobble Hill townhouse is almost complete. This was a tricky detail integrating structural components and HVAC, not to mention cabinetry and new crown moldings. Second photo shows what’s inside. - - - #architecture #inprogress #brooklyn #townhouse #townhomes

The original idea was to expose the old wood joists, but we discovered after demo that they were completely shot. They were replaced with light gauge steel joists, which don’t have much character, so we came up with the idea to paint the entire exposed ceiling black - joists, electrical conduit, recessed light housings, piping - all of it. It could have turned out horribly but I think it’s really going to work. A design is never complete until the building is finished and sometimes the most difficult challenges can spark the most interesting ideas.

Multiple levels surround this view of our Williamsburg townhouse. Standing in the sunken living room looking toward the rear of the house, the main entry hall is below on the left, bridge-like hallways to the bedrooms above are on the upper left and the the upper right. The bedrooms in the front and the rear are on separate levels, made possible by the laterally-configured stair.

In progress: complex curves at the underside of a new winder staircase.