Brooklyn Townhouse (Brooklyn, New York)
In harmony with the environmentalist values of our clients, we employed sustainable materials and practices to renovate this classic 19th-century Brooklyn townhouse. Our approach focused on preserving the existing structure while modernizing it to create a duplex apartment. This involved combining two floors, adding new amenities such as a kitchen, bathrooms, yoga room, and bookcase, and making various enhancements to adjacent spaces.
A key feature of the design was the installation of a lightweight steel staircase to serve as a light well, bringing much-needed sunlight into the lower level. This staircase, with reclaimed wood steps sourced from an old dismantled barn, became a striking focal point.
Interior partitions were removed to create a more open and airy atmosphere. Eco-friendly materials such as cementitious panels, bio-glass vanity tops, cork flooring, bamboo cabinets, and post-consumer glass tiles were used throughout, maintaining the earthy tones and sustainable theme. Additionally, radiant floor heating and cleverly enclosed metal grilles were utilized to maximize heating efficiency at a low cost.
Featured on AU magazine.
 A new staircase acts as a light well maximizing daylight coming from the rear façade at South. |  Existing street façade prior to renovation |  Renovated street façade |
|---|---|---|
 Detail of building entry with new exterior finishes to match the fresh, green ambiance of the interiors |  |  Kitchen with white-washed bamboo cabinets |
 Kitchen backsplash with and 80% post-consumer glass tiles |  Steel spine staircase that also works as a light well |  Steel spine staircase with reclaimed wood steps |
 The staircase works as a light well and features reclaimed wood steps sourced from an old barn |  The custom bookcase in the upper floor hallway |  The custom bookcase in white washed wood and low VOC matte lacquered shelving |
 The new master bathroom sets back from the rear bearing wall to allow for maximum sunlight penetration, housing a yoga room |  1st floor washroom with bio-glass vanity top and bamboo cabinets |  Master bathroom with bio-glass vanity top, bamboo cabinets, Eco-cem wall panels and Eco-gres tiles. |
 Detail of staircase railing and reclaimed wood steps |  The master bathroom featured on AU magazine |