Standing Architecture» Small Work, New York Apartments

Madison Avenue

Alastair — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:14:50 +0000

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The design for this two floor apartment combination lies at the coincidence of two events. Light and shadow. Light, as in getting it into the middle of a normally dark building type, the brownstone. Shadow as a way of tracing the movement of occupants as they block this light and their silhouetted shadows are traced onto room dividing screens. Following an analysis of the existing light distribution pattern of the top two floors, light transmitting glass elements were placed in the existing structure (walls, floor and roof) to “fill in” dark areas in the space. They were in the form of skylights, floor openings, additional windows and a stair. The light from the entire sky vault is considered except when it is mediated by neighboring buildings within the city. Light from windows is seen on the floor and passes through wall openings (a plan idea) and light from skylights is seen on the walls and passes through floor openings (a sectional idea). So the same idea is used to unify the space of one room to another and one floor to another while maintaining privacy. Giving an occupant the sense of being in a single space while functioning as a series of discrete rooms.When people move around within this new “filled in” light pattern, they create shadows or silhouettes. Whether they are crossing a room or walking up the stair their movement will be traced against a translucent surface. For the stair it will be an etched glass work surface near the kitchen or one of the full height sliding, translucent partitions that divide the space into rooms. These screens and the glass floor openings are always placed perpendicular to the direction of the light.

All the functional aspects associated with an apartment, the kitchen appliances, laundry, bathroom fixtures, storage units and bookshelves are placed in the space according to the new light distribution profile. They are placed in the remaining darker areas on both floors, which are all adjacent to light areas. Providing light for the user and a silhouetted tracing of that user for other occupants of the apartment.

The glass stair at the center of the space was placed according to the light distribution pattern (and a verity of structural considerations). Its primary purpose beyond movement is to diffract light from the skylight above into the lower floor of the apartment. To promote this idea the stair structure is minimized, by hanging it from the floor opening.

Hudson River

Alastair — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:13:59 +0000

A penthouse renovation on the 20th floor of a building on Riverside Drive NYC. Overlooking the Hudson River with spectacular views north to the George Washington Bridge and west to New Jersey. Originally 2 apartments the loft like space with a fire place in the middle and roof terrace became this 2 bedroom maritime oculus. Most of the 18 windows were reconfigured to take advantage of the scenery from the new room layout. Steel windows with a narrow profile were used to reduce the frame obstruction of views. The living room was conceived of as a library or comfortable reading room with great windows facing the Palisades. Whereas the dining area resolves the geometry with a round table; to the Bridge view.		Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment
The ceilings were designed to define rooms within a fluid group of reception spaces. Lighting design addressed a number of issues: integrating LED’s into the ceiling concept. Recognizing the night views by providing soft light so they are visible over internal reflections.

Riverside Park

Alastair — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:12:54 +0000

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On Riverside drive at 90th Street, this apartment looks into the tree canopy of Riverside Park. The living room was lined along its length with LED cove lighting to reinforce the view axiality. Furniture and finishes were selected to have a minimal aesthetic impact thereby increasing the apartment’s apparent space.

The kitchen was designed to the same conceptual value. A highly functional cooking facility laid out in such a way to work effectively and seem spacious. With the tubs left in place bathrooms were renovated with new fixtures tile and fittings. Radiator covers concealed both radiators and wall AC units, with bar grille fronts and stone tops.

Chelsea Condo

Alastair — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:11:59 +0000

3000sf of space in a new building on 18th Street and 7th avenue NYC for a collector and his family; became this 3 bedroom apartment with media room and home office. The Art collection was the point of departure for the work where careful lighting design for display while creating a warm living environment was the program. A furniture collection had to be accommodated as well.

The interior architecture utilized long clear lines and crisp detailing while establishing discrete areas of the program to exist within the larger spaces. A drink collection for example was inspiration for the illuminated bar; a collection of artifacts motivated the display cases in the living room.

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The HVAC covers doubled as storage, and the media equipment location. The bar grill motif allows speakers to be concealed without sacrificing sound quality.