Loft in New York City
New York, NY, USA
2006

The Loft in New York City, a 5600 square foot renovation, is intended as a reevaluation of the classic New York City loft typology. In the renovation, the singular open space of the loft, in which both private and public programs coexist, was carefully reconsidered and reinvented to accommodate the particular programmatic needs of the client.

The design strategy refers continually to the loft typology while also providing cellular spaces for more private programs. The previously undifferentiated open space is divided into two main zones. The first retains all the characteristics of a ‘loft’—a large open space defined not by partitions but freestanding furniture pieces. Kitchen, living space, and a children’s play area are differentiated by these furniture elements, but still read clearly as one expansive space. The second zone encloses private spaces along the perimeter of the site.

To mediate between the two disparate spaces, a third zone is introduced—the solarium. The airy room, on axis with both the open and closed areas, can be read as public or private space depending on the particular interaction. Enclosed entirely of glass, the solarium is centrally located to encourage social gathering and bring large amounts of light into the loft. A library/media room along the perimeter of the site can also open up completely to the central loft space to further connect the public and private spaces.

Credits:

Design Team: Toshiko Mori, Wendy Cronk, Sonya Lee
Contractor: Vanguard Construction
MEP: ESC Engineering
HVAC SUB: Donnelly Mechanical

Photographs © Iwan Baan