Brooklyn Row House is a private residence designed by Office of Architecture.
The home is located in Brooklyn, New York City, USA.
Brooklyn Row House by Office of Architecture:
“In New York City, apartments, lofts, and row houses are often found as remnants of multiple renovations performed over time for a variety of residents. New Yorkers are used to shoehorning their lives into these inherited homes. Eventually, though, life changes; the home is outgrown and the tenant is forced to move on. It’s a lifestyle that hinders commitment and long-term investment in our buildings. In short, it discourages sustainability.
When we were approached by our clients to gut renovate and add to a 110 year old row house, our goal was to create a home that could adapt to the anticipated changes in their lifestyle instead of the reverse. The building is designed to oscillate easily between a two-family and one-family configuration, giving the owners the ability to gradually grow into and out of the house as needed. 70% of the building can be used as a 2 bedroom / 2 bath unit, while the remaining 30% of the building is given over to a 1 bedroom / 1 bath unit.
Depending on their priorities at any given time, the owners have the option to occupy one of the units themselves, while using the other for rental income. It also gives the owners the ability to combine both units to create a 2100SF one-family home for themselves simply by removing a small demising wall on the second floor and demolishing the rental kitchen – a job that can be executed over the course of a long weekend.
Elegant material choices, s ubtle detailing, and thoughtful spatial sensibilities belie the building’s intelligent space planning. Careful placement of bathrooms and kitchens, along with the integration of a second stair (highly unusual for a 15′ wide row-house) enable the architecture to accommodate its owners as their spatial requirements change from that of a young couple to a family of four to empty nesters.
In doing so, the building becomes much more an active participant in the lifecycle of its inhabitants, encouraging them to stay longer, maintain their property, and contribute to a culture that is truly sustainable.”
Photos courtesy of Office of Architecture
