04 Feb
Fearon Hay Architects from New Zealand have completed a renovation on a 550 square meter apartment located in Tribeca, a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York, USA. The loft has a panoramic view, 3.6 meters high, and is entirely designed in a minimalist style made of wood and steel.
According to the architect,
the original volume was converted into a residence with the insertion of glazed volumes and associated enclosed service rooms.
The intention was to leave the existing shell of the loft unencumbered by internal partitions, maximizing the sense of openness while providing the hierarchy and division of spaces required for living.
Operable fabric screens ans sliding partitions allow further modification of the open space.
The existing space is defined by the exposed reinforced concrete frame and the large multi-paned windows offering panoramic views of the skyline on three sides.
The strategy was to provide the required division of space with minimum interference with the existing structure and maximum perception of the overall volume.
The insertion of steel framed, glazed volumes with raised timber floors provides elevated sleeping platforms within the loft space. The glazed volumes are accompanied by blank, white, volumes containing bathing, service and scullery functions. These service components are arranged in a linear sequence in the centre of the space.
Both of these insertions are carefully placed amongst the existing structural elements of columns, beams and corbels, freeing the structure and the perimeter of the loft from division.
Further layering and configuration of the space is offered by layers of operable fabric screens and sliding panels. The various areas of the residence may be separated from one another or connected to each other as desired.
Collaborating with artisans of both New Zealand and New York has enabled the creation of custom fittings such as blown glass pendant lights, treated steel and freestanding stone washbasins and bath, resulting in a highly crafted and bespoke construction.
