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November 15, 2006
A Modern Reno We Could Live With
Designed by the same architects responsible for the reno of the double-wide West Village townhouse that reportedly sold last week for $37.5 million, this 7,200-square-foot Brooklyn house is a wonderfully clean and light example of a succesful modern renovation of an old structure. While the traditionalist in us hopes that there wasn't much original detail left to destroy before this reno began, we gotta hand it to the firm 1100 Architects for a pretty stunning job. Here's what they have to say about the project:
The aim of this renovation was to create a family home that fully integrates the site’s rear garden into the plan of the house, while creating both familial and private spaces. Occupying the existing footprint, the new building employs glass and aluminum to create a more open and continuous feeling in the back of the house. These materials, in addition to a new staircase connecting the garden and the second floor, firmly establish the garden as an extension of the house and as a communal location. Using green roof technology, a private garden accessible from the master bedroom creates a small, personal outdoor space. Inside, the house is designed to fit the needs of the family.
Who knows where this is? We'd guess Brooklyn Heights but can't be sure.
Residential: Brooklyn Brownstone [1100 Architects]
Record Set for Downtown Single-Family Home? [Curbed]
Comments
I have to agree, that looks pretty cool.
Posted by: Anon at November 15, 2006 10:31 AM
This house is way better than any traditional brownstone.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 10:34 AM
Yeah, it looks like it's Brooklyn Heights. I hope they open it for the house tour next spring! The dining room and playroom are fantatsic.
Posted by: Whitbo at November 15, 2006 10:36 AM
Oh my god, I am in love. I loved that fact that the owners did not destroy all the original detail in the renovation - old and new living in harmony - I love it, just love it.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 10:49 AM
How many mio have been put into this renovation?
I would guess a few.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 10:53 AM
the gardens are really inspiring! i LOVE the roof deck on the extension garden sooo much.
Posted by: lc at November 15, 2006 10:59 AM
absolutely gorgeous and i'm sure the renovation was truly, truly expesive to the tune of a price of another brownstone.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 11:08 AM
i want this house...anyone truly know where it is? I live in BH and you usually hear about these wonders and I haven't heard a darn thing...
Posted by: m at November 15, 2006 11:10 AM
That place looks really expensive. Buy building in Brooklyn Heights = $2.5m, spend gobs of money renovating it + $1.5m. Showing it off to everyone so they can see how cool your house is and how crappy theirs is = PRICELESS.
Posted by: anonymous at November 15, 2006 11:27 AM
wow, this looks like the setting of a reality tv show. All they need is the hot tub or in-ground, outdoor jacuzzi. Would be a fantastic place to host a cocktail party that spills from the kitchen to the stairs, to the backyard, to the downstairs area. Neighbors are probably green with envy though. Probably would call 311 as soon as the party starts.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 11:27 AM
wow! i feel like i'm back in silverlake!
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 11:32 AM
look through the architects website. they do tons of great stuff, i like almost all of it. they did this townhouse in the west village with a glazed glass or plexiglass roof decks that let light in, i love it. i'm currently renovating a house in cobble hill, trying to figure out how to do that myself.
Posted by: anon at November 15, 2006 12:28 PM
I believe that this house is on Willow Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 12:41 PM
WOW WOW, amazing.....
11:27am, so true, this is priceless...
I wish I could live there.
Maybe they will rent out for parties...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 12:44 PM
Belch! All those big windows, you would have to have a full time maid to keep everything perfectly clean. Or be an obsessive cleaner yourself.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 12:49 PM
anonymous 12:49:
I heartily agree! Give me a dark, cozy hobbit hole any day.
Posted by: bilbo baggins at November 15, 2006 12:52 PM
Check out 1100 Architect's Client List! The "Who's Who in Finance and Entertainment!"
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:07 PM
I love looking at this house... but I'm not sure how I'd do with so little privacy...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:09 PM
No privacy - your neighbors can see everything and every move you make.
Why are there no steps directly off the kitchen on the 2nd floor leading to the backyard? Are you suppose to step on that ramp to get to the other set of steps.
I'm also not crazy about the tile in the backyard. The scattered brown pieces look like dirt.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:14 PM
This house in on Willow St between Pierrepont and Clark St. It is one of the 25 footers. I know the people that live almost across from them on Columbia Hts. and visit this house often.
Nice folks --- spend oodles on dough on the renovation (steel beams and all). It is a little wierd when people come into the kitchen. Not sure they know how exposed they are to about 10 other backyards. They look like ther are in a fish bowl.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:15 PM
Hot Tubs!! yea Spend 1.5 on renovating and Put in a Tacky hot tub. Wow.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:21 PM
tacky isn't the word for it.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 1:35 PM
Anyone who doesn't like this house is just filled with envy peppered with a little bit of jealousy.
Posted by: anon at November 15, 2006 1:36 PM
Anon 1:36 - surely, if you read Brownstoner frequently, you know that's why 80% of the people post.
Posted by: dcardoni at November 15, 2006 2:24 PM
That's funny, I was just going to say, I really love the scattered tile in the backyard. I was assuming that WAS dirt between them, and I think that's genius. Get a few weeds growing between the tiles, make it look less sterile. It's a nice contrast to the (identical?) tile indoors, just on the other side of the glass...
Posted by: sylvia at November 15, 2006 2:38 PM
Gorgeous. I would want everyone to see me if I lived in a cool place like this. Hell I'd be parading around naked.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 3:06 PM
given the privacy walls on the first floor and parts of the second floor, your neighbors would not see too much. BTW, what do you look like naked ;-)
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 3:08 PM
looks like a flip job and a marginal one at that...these flippers do not have any concept of attention to detail and no sense of compassion for the poor saps that get stuck buying it and having to redo a cheap renovation just to rent it out at market value.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 3:20 PM
wish I were the poor sap who could buy/live in this place. Much better than being an ignorant sap like anon 3:20.
Dope must think realtors are much more savvy than the folks that can afford a few million for a roof over their heads.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 3:48 PM
So nobody thinks that at 7200 sq, this example of excessive consumption, however beautiful, should be condemned, not lauded?
I know from other posts that there are a number of people concerned about sustainability and good stewardship, etc, where are you guys on this one?
Posted by: anon at November 15, 2006 4:32 PM
looks like a very nice job, i dont know what will happen come winter though. i'd imagine those rooms would be FREEZING! i see no base boards, perhaps floor radiant heating? But the rest of the year is prob like living in a fancy LA LOFT
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 4:42 PM
I really like the style of the paved back yard. In general, I think white & black goes well with victorian style (e.g. chess-board-like). However I like that black (or gray) squares here are sparse and random (modern style).
Does anyone know what kind of pave might have been used here?
Posted by: kmt at November 15, 2006 4:52 PM
the house is beautiful but if you look at the architect's website ALL of the houses tend to look the exact same. i understand that they have "their style" but it seems to me that they could come up with something more.
these type of houses are definitely for the ostentatious types, who feel the need to show off. it is overkill, but....
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 4:54 PM
I have a pretty nice house but am going to feel like I'm slumming it when I go home tonight. that is an amazing house. the renovation must have cost a fortune.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 5:10 PM
you can't pick your nose in the kitchen.
Posted by: suzy at November 15, 2006 5:46 PM
4:32, here I am! Sorry, I was away from my computer all day.
Posted by: yente at November 15, 2006 5:55 PM
ok yente, what do you have to say about this use of space.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 6:09 PM
i'm curious how their neighbors felt when those giant brick walls on all three sides of the garden were installed...they look to be at least 8 feet high. They are gorgeous though.
Posted by: sba at November 15, 2006 7:23 PM
I thought the limited on fence height was 6 feet. Yet in the front of some homes I see chain link fences that are 7 or 8 feet. Is there a different limited on stone walls?
Did the architects have a special permit for this?
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 8:29 PM
heating and cooling must cost a fortune.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 9:21 PM
the fence height limit is set base on the neighbor's yard, ie if your own yard is excavated and hence deeper/lower than your neighbors, you can exceed the limit. otherwise, if your fence is only 6' tall but your yard is actually 6' LOWER than the next lot, the fence renders useless. looks like this is what they might have done.
as for all these questions/concerns re energy loss from glass, if the right kind of material and technique are used, all should be fine. there's been so much advancement in technology with glass that heat loss is a non issue when done properly (ie see glass skyscrapers, Apple cube stores)
heating/cooling should be highly efficient as this house has a green roof. the house costs more operate on a square foot basis compared to something else smaller, but not because of inefficiency due to leakage. if anything, unrenovated browstones tend to incurr larger bills due to their lack of insulation and older equipment.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 15, 2006 11:02 PM
ZZZZZZZZZZ. you made an incredible house and "run" into a boring chain of comments. i love that everyone has an opinion and different taste, but I am so bored with nastiness...haters should get to steppin'
Posted by: m at November 16, 2006 8:48 AM
It's the urban version of a McMansion. Perhaps more tasteful (or geared towards "our" tastes), but it's a HUGE sterile house. When I say "our" taste, I don't mean me...it's really not my taste. If I'm going to appreciate modern design, it has to look original and be "out there!". That's just my opinion. I know I'm going to get attacked for being a jealous hater...
I'll hold off comments on the energy factor because I don't know how green this house is. Probably about as green as a Hummer, I'd imagine, but I don't know.
Posted by: yente at November 16, 2006 8:54 AM
'looks like a flip job and a marginal one at that...these flippers do not have any concept of attention to detail and no sense of compassion for the poor saps that get stuck buying it and having to redo a cheap renovation just to rent it out at market value.'
Is it a running joke that halfway through every thread someone writes that the house in question looks like a flip job? Is it the same person writing this every time? How bored and mean spirited must you be to call this a flip job?
Posted by: renogirl at November 16, 2006 11:46 AM
I never understood the lure of real estate porn until now. I am salivating. Whoever says money doesn't buy happiness hasn't seen this house. I feel so dirty.
Posted by: ParkSlopeRenter at November 16, 2006 12:59 PM
The flip job comment was obviouly a joke - made me laugh, so I'm surprised it was taken seriously by some.
The place is stunning, but I'm not sure how "green" it is. It only mentions a green roof as a garden for the master bedroom. The rest is unknown. I'm trying to get a green roof, so I've been studying the technologies. It can reduce energy costs (~ 25% or more), but is much more effective on one-story buildings (i.e. Walmart).
I think this building is fantastic, but for the amount of money it would cost to buy/live there, I'd prefer other places.
Posted by: HC at November 16, 2006 7:04 PM
yeah, i've got to give them this one. my jaw dropped when i saw this photo. i would LOVE to be tripping around that garden with a drink in my hand!
Posted by: C at November 16, 2006 7:11 PM
I'm in awe, I love it. The fusion of the old with the new is perfect. The details are so elegant - LOVE the light fixtures over the long dining table, LOVE the stair railing. As for lots of huge windows that's a personal thing. I happen to really enjoy huge windows. Keep in mind photos do not show what it's like in a space like that; you need to spend some time in it. And then oftentimes you're a convert. I've had the pleasure of staying in one friend's Neutra house and another friend's Paul Rudolph house, and it's like nothing else. Also it's possible these guys have installed lights above the windows that at night create a glare that makes it hard for people to see in. That's the old trick from the mid-century architects.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 16, 2006 11:08 PM
horizontal sstair railings not permitted by building code and local policy. stair from second floor to rear yard not permitted by zoning resolution. oops beauty is only skin deep.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 17, 2006 12:41 AM
Obviously shades are necessary and perhaps tall hedges. But otherwise, this house is HOT HOT HOT. A great mix of old/new.
Posted by: Ed at November 17, 2006 3:32 AM
Actually if you look closely enough, I think one can see that shades have been installed (see first photo - kitchen) - which is clever as you can pull the shades down for privacy.. or if prefer, walk around nude or pick your nose for the world to see.
Posted by: Anon at November 17, 2006 3:13 PM
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