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October 16, 2008

Front Page Forum: Modern in Carroll Gardens

This post from The Forum could generate some interesting ideas. Can y'all can help a fellow Brownstoner brainstorm about his house-to-be.

blueprint-1008.jpgMy wife and I may have just happened into a house-sized plot of land in Carroll Gardens. (I know... I can't believe it either) Not historic Carroll Gardens, but a nice part of the neighborhood. I am wondering if anyone has any nice examples of new townhouse construction that fits well into a brick and brownstone neighborhood with a few modern touches? The idea of modular has also come up, although I haven't seen much in the way of urban modular architecture that would be appropriate for the site.

Modern in Carroll Gardens [Brownstoner]
Photo by pnwrap.




Posted by lisa at 11:16 AM | Comments (16)
Categories: Forum

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ck on 377 Pacific Radius Construction
and for modular check on
www.garrisonarchitects.com Jim Garrison of 45 Main BK
is an expert in this area

Posted by: chrishavens at October 16, 2008 11:36 AM

I'm not promoting these arch. co. I don't know them. I don't know anything about them, etc., etc.

But....

http://www.motodesignshop.com/
Go to Grid House...it's pretty cool.

http://www.letourneau-architecture.com
Go to Projects and Conroy Residence.

There are books you can peruse to get great ideas. (I think there's one called - The Modern Townhouse). Go to a bookstore with a strong architecture section, i.e. Urban Center Books and MOMA Bookstore.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 16, 2008 11:43 AM

Check out the book "Modern Brooklyn: Architecture, Interiors, and Design" - you can find it around town or at the very least on amazon.

I second urban center books - can be overwhelming - just make sure to ask for help.

Posted by: pHdesign at October 16, 2008 11:55 AM

54 Butler Street - was brand new construction in 2006/07 - the facade is new but looks traditional but not fake traditional whereas the back (which can be seen from Corner of Smith & Douglass) is completely modern.

Posted by: 99luftballons at October 16, 2008 11:56 AM


Again, I'm not sure whether it's appropriate for your site. But Resolution: 4 Architecture does some beautiful things.

Their offices are in Manhattan, and the houses are built in Pennsylvania.

http://re4a.com/

Posted by: arrg at October 16, 2008 11:57 AM

check these guys out:

http://www.coburnarchitecture.com/showcases/show/11

Posted by: itsagas at October 16, 2008 11:57 AM

Call Gita at Thread Collective. She totally gets it and she specializes in Urban Green modern architecture. She also understands the need to be on a budget.

She designed the new BCUE center. Website is www.threadcollective.com

All the contact info is there. Tell her that Susan from Van Brunt St told you to call...

Posted by: susanp at October 16, 2008 12:29 PM

Whether you go prefab or not, you will need an architect to build a new building. Moving in a year is aggressive. It will take you six months to get a permit, not to mention, design and bid it. good luck

Posted by: oldrte10 at October 16, 2008 12:40 PM

go talk to Jim Garrison @ Garrison Architects. He is currently doing some modern modular townhouses in bedstuy. Not to mention he has lived locally in cobble hill for 20+ years and has done some nice modernish stuff in and around the nabe. Email me if you want to know more.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at October 16, 2008 12:45 PM


I don't know what your budget is or how green you'd foresee the build; for the most part, the latter is heavily reliant on the former. But I do know that you have a rare opportunity. Good for you and your family.

I suggest a modular build as well. If everything is in place, permit-wise, one can expect construction to take place off site at a much quicker pace than a traditional on-site build. If planned accordingly, I can picture your modular home arriving at the NY Stevedores dock in Red Hook on one-two barges. Trucking=1-2 miles or less.

Invite me over and I'll help you piece her together.

Posted by: Fjorder at October 16, 2008 12:50 PM

Here's a picture of 377 Pacific Street:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flatbushgardener/2672505459/

I like it, but many of my Boerum Hill neighbors loathe it. Another cool example is on the same block (btw Bond & Hoyt) across the street. It looks more like a Frank Lloyd Wright version of a brownstone and seems more contextual to me.

While you're in the nabe, stroll down Hoyt Street to Wyckoff. There is a very modern structure on the North side of Wyckoff on your way to Smith.

(Disclaimer: Brooklyn Chicken is not an architect, designer, or someone who knows anything about design at all.)

Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at October 16, 2008 1:04 PM

All right - thanks for all of the great ideas! We're going to the MoMA this weekend to catch the Home Delivery exhibit on prefab architecture so I will take that opportunity to peruse the bookstore.

I saw the modulars going up in BedStuy and contacted Jim Garrison this morning. He gave me some great information. I've also bookmarked Resolution: 4 Architecture, Coburn Architecture, and ThreadCollective. Also discovered http://www.flatpakhouse.com/, they haven't done anything in Brooklyn before but it seems entirely possible.

So much to chew on, this is promising to be quite an adventure.

Posted by: dalton at October 16, 2008 1:12 PM

Thanks to "itsagas" for throwing our name in the hat.

Dalton,

Our firm has a number of years experience in the Brooklyn modern rowhouse/townhouse market and a project of ours was featured in the Brooklyn Modern book that has been suggested to you.

As a Brooklyn (Cobble Hill) raised architect, I'm quite familiar with the neighborhood. My family and I currently live in a Carroll Gardens rowhouse that I gut renovated about 5 years ago. Take a look at our website and be sure to check out: http://www.coburnarchitecture.com/showcases/show_gallery/25?show=true

Give me a call/email, I'd love to discuss your project.

Brendan Coburn
Coburn Architecture
bcoburn@coburnarchitecture.com
718.624.1700

Posted by: Brendan Coburn at October 16, 2008 2:29 PM

This may be obvious but back issues of DWELL just might have some similar projects. There is a DWELL cable show as well:

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/dwell/

Posted by: Carol Gardens at October 16, 2008 2:47 PM

i wrote about this house in the south slope a couple of years ago--it's great-looking, and the next door neighbor's built a replica of it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/garden/06brooklyn.html

Posted by: lisa at October 16, 2008 3:03 PM

Lisa et al, not only that house, but there's another great looking stone house up the block, definitely take a drive or walk on 18th Street.

Posted by: denton at October 16, 2008 3:56 PM

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