Modern in Carroll Gardens?

Yeah, I was going to swing by the house on Baltic this morning on my way to work. Someone also mentioned a few houses on Pacific Street. I am starting to compile a list of ideas.

I've emailed FlatPak and they think they could do the job. I've got a list of other local architects who work with modular too, so it seems like a viable solution. Our main issue right now is to get the land situation finalized (we've got a promise, but nothing in writing yet) and then figure out where we can go from there.

Thanks everybody for the great ideas!

Posted by: dalton at October 17, 2008 6:52 AM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

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 in response to Front Page Forum: Modern in Carroll Gardens

Thanks, that's an interesting link. Lots of great ideas in there, and the house was featured in Dwell, also. Does anyone else have examples of modern rebuilds that fit well into the character of the neighborhood?

As I mentioned before, we are also thinking prefab/modular... not so much to save money as to stick to a budget (I've heard that you're less likely to experience crazy overruns with prefab) and a reasonable time line. We'd like to move in within a year, if at all possible. I haven't found many examples of urban prefab, though. There's this one:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/05/nzinga.php

And that seems to be about it.

Posted by: dalton at October 16, 2008 10:10 AM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

Actually, I took that photograph. Some dunce on Flickr "borrowed" it.

http://www.seriouslyexcited.net/2007/06/12/lafayette-grocery-dairy-fort-greene/

Posted by: dalton at February 20, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Friday Links

There's a nice modern (and I don't even love modern) townhouse around 322 13th st bet 5/6Av in PS. Glass/brick/alum facade and imo fits in well with adjoining buildings. Visible on street view google on S side of 13th. There's another on bet 6-7th Avs on 13th as well.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=298+13th+st+brooklyn&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image

Posted by: cmu at October 16, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

If you at least avoid brick and a leaded glass front door like the horrible house in Windsor Terrace that was just posted on the main page, you can get something more modern and attractive. It's all about the materials you choose and keeping it simple. I personally love cedar. There's a modern townhouse in North Park Slope on a street I can't remember that's all cedar and modern on the exterior. Also Brownstoner posted earlier in the week about the top floor of a house in Williamsburg that went from ugly vinyl siding to modern and cedar.

Another idea: buying already existing plans for modern houses and having an architect adjust them for the plot of land you have and for NYC code.

I've seen them before on eBay. Once years ago I had the idea of creating a database of important past and present, historic and modern architect's house plans that could be available to the average person. All to counter ugly new architecture. But I haven't researched it in a while and don't know sources. Anyway here's an article on eHow.com about getting house plans:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2294966_find-mid-century-house-plans.html

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 16, 2008 11:34 AM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

not going to be cheap but have a look at Huf Haus for inspiration.

http://www.huf-haus.com/gb/intro.html

Posted by: the chicken at October 16, 2008 12:01 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

You would do well to hire an architect and explore the possibilities.

Posted by: an architect in Brooklyn at October 16, 2008 12:23 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

There is a great modern house in Carroll Garden right off of Hoyt...it is a block passed Baltic. I also love Flatpak modulars. Congrats!

Posted by: Madove at October 16, 2008 11:14 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

There is a great modern house in Carroll Garden right off of Hoyt...it is a block passed Baltic. I also love Flatpak modulars. Congrats!

Posted by: Madove at October 16, 2008 11:14 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

There is a great modern house in Carroll Garden right off of Hoyt...it is a block passed Baltic. I also love Flatpak modulars. Congrats!

Posted by: Madove at October 16, 2008 11:14 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

Yeah, I was going to swing by the house on Baltic this morning on my way to work. Someone also mentioned a few houses on Pacific Street. I am starting to compile a list of ideas.

I've emailed FlatPak and they think they could do the job. I've got a list of other local architects who work with modular too, so it seems like a viable solution. Our main issue right now is to get the land situation finalized (we've got a promise, but nothing in writing yet) and then figure out where we can go from there.

Thanks everybody for the great ideas!

Posted by: dalton at October 17, 2008 6:52 AM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?

Hi Dalton,
I have designed and built townhouses which are both modern and contextual both in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I'm also working on a modern prefab residence in Conneticut right now. I would be very interested in talking with you about the possibilities of building a townhouse, and the difficulties and rewards of doing prefab. My email address is 9temple@gmail.com if you would like to talk further.

Devin

Posted by: do at October 17, 2008 3:48 PM in response to Modern in Carroll Gardens?