The building is located in the Gothic quarter in the old city of Barcelona. It is close to the famous Ramblas, the cathedral and the port.

The property is on two levels. On the first, a bathroom with basin, toilet and 2 showers, a single sleeping space, access to a patio with table, chairs and plants, and a large living room.

The spacious 645 sq ft lounge is sunny and bright with its 3 large windows (2 with balconies). There are 4 areas in this room; a seating area with sofa, armchairs, coffee table, then a dining area with a huge table, a desk area and finally a kitchen with a staircase leading to the mezzanine which has a sofa-bed that is comfortable for 2 people. The mezzanine leads to a bedroom with a double bed. This room has a view of the hallway and a skylight.

The penthouse apartment is located at 50 Lispenard Street inside a building built back in 1866 that has been perfectly converted.

This 1900 square foot, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath NYC loft like apartment is listed for sale by Eklund Stockholm New York for $4.55 million dollars – I think this may be considered affordable by New York standards.  Note to self: come up with $4.55 million dollars immediately before this place is snatched up.

As you step off the elevator that opens into the two bedroom, two and a half bath duplex unit, you’ll find ceilings up to 18 ft, a floating staircase, heated 8 inch plank floors, glass paneling and a gas fireplace in the skylit living room flanked by two decked terraces, one with a Jacuzzi. The Valcucine Kitchen is fitted with a Subzero refrigerator, Viking cooktop and Kuppersbusch oven, built in Miele Nespresso machine, glass counters and cabinetry and LG Washer/Dryer. Bathrooms feature imported Italian marble and glass, Hansgrohe fittings, double steam rainshowers , deep Duravit soaking Jacuzzi tubs and custom vanities. A structural glass walkway separates the master bedroom with balcony and the guest bedroom. Channel luxurious industrial chic, defined by New York City aesthetics and style.

Under the shadow of the Empire State Building, the existing Penthouse had been cut up into recording studios in the 1980’s. Windows had been filled in with glass block, and the hot tub and sauna filled up the living room. The rooftop extension had been used as an apartment for sublet, and the rooms were dark and musty.

Interior demolition alone was not enough to transform the loft, its use had to be re-thought entirely. Rather than fill the loft with a typical residential program of bedrooms and a/v rooms, the only requirements were “a place to cook for my friends” and “a place for my books”.

The owner, an avid chef, was receptive to the idea of dedicating the second floor entirely to the kitchen. Surrounded by glass doors on both sides and skylights above, the kitchen and garden are the perfect escape from the noise of 5th avenue below. Unlike the New York City stereotype of food delivery, this kitchen is made for the pleasures of cooking. By reversing the direction of the existing staircase, the view is brought into sharp focus. The cantilevered wood stair treads further emphasize the view, and pull light down from the two-storied skylight.

On the living floor below, the entire perimeter of the loft was made free of any partitions. The windows framed by walnut cabinetry pull in the views of the city. A new interpretation of the 1950’s built-in “conversation pit” seating is apparent as the perimeter millwork transforms from sofa to fireplace to piano bench to library seating. The client’s extensive library of Chinese Political theory extends around the central core of the loft, and the master suite takes a secondary role to the books and food.

Description by Koko Architecture + Design

A dining room is defined through shifting materiality within the larger living space. Secondary rooms are united with the main space with large-scale swinging doors. The apartment abuts the highline, and two loading dock apertures, formerly blocked off, are blown open and filled with glass block to let in sunlight but obfuscate direct views. Now entering visitors can see through the main space, through the guest bedroom out to the sunlit shapes of highline guests.

This loft has a distinctive country feeling, but still remains modern and a bit eclectic. Built from reclaimed materials, it features raw stone walls and bare wood in every corner of the space.

A clean and uncomplicated bar accents the room nicely while providing a touch of elegance.

A distinctive blend of bold furniture pieces helps create an eclectic ambiance.

Furniture with crisp, straight lines make an elegant yet welcoming statement

Bold fabric patterns are a little detail that can have a huge impact

Contrasting wood tones make for a dramatic yet inviting space

Hardwood accents provides the modern space with a sense of warmth

The chapel conversion sits in the Mayfield Grange development in southern Britain. It is built by Weston Homes, comprises a selection of new build and refurbished houses and apartment blocks, together with this Grade II Listed converted Chapel. The entire development is situated in rolling countryside with breathtaking views.

As befits a conversion of this type, much of the original splendour of this interior has been retained. The chapel has it all, from the beautifully decorated vaulted ceiling to the unique stone carvings and dramatic stained glass windows. The builders have provided contemporary features and finishes to complement the original style, with special attention paid to the lighting.

Much of the ground floor remains open plan. The living area is dominated by a stunning stained glass window, whilst an elegant spiral staircase provides access to a mezzanine floor. On the mezzanine you find the master bedroom and ensuite. The separate bespoke kitchen includes state-of-the-art units and integrated appliances.

“I wanted to join the team really badly,”

Mr. Wildin said.

So it’s not surprising that the couple’s loft was designed by Thaddeus Briner of the New York firm Architecture Outfit, the architect responsible for the design of a number of new minimalist Chipotle restaurants, as well as ShopHouse, the company’s experiment with fast-casual Asian food.

The couple bought the 2,100-square-foot Greenwich Village loft, on a commercial block of West 13th Street, two years ago from the actor Benjamin Bratt for $2.5 million.

Mr. Wildin, left, and Mr.Crumpacker at the marble-top kitchen island designed by the architect Thaddeus Briner. To make the countertop look very thin, Mr. Briner had the edge notched with a rabbet.

Mr. Crumpacker, 48, a graduate of Art Center College of Design, sketched the idea for the renovation. “I’m the concept guy,” he said.

Mr. Wildin, 31, is the implementer. In this case, that meant dealing with the contractor and the architect. The latter aspect of his task wasn’t difficult because he already had plenty of experience working with Mr. Briner on ShopHouse.

“I speak Thaddeus fluently,” Mr. Wildin said. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Briner and his philosophy of design, a single line from the Architecture Outfit Web site says it all: “Simple is usually better.”

The renovation, which cost $800,000, took 15 months and was completed in March 2011.

The Italian statuary marble of the counter extends onto the backsplash above the Gaggenau Vario cooktop and teppanyaki grill.

One bedroom was removed to open up the living and dining area (there are now two bedrooms). Soundproofing was installed in the wall adjoining the building’s communal hallway and in the ceiling, where a series of rectangular gypsum board “clouds” conceal recessed lighting and indirect fluorescent tubes along the edges of the apartment.

The upholstered bed is Maxalto Apta. The relatively small space it occupies, basically an alcove off the main living area, is the master bedroom.

A row of cast-iron columns that was featured prominently in Mr. Bratt’s home has disappeared into new bathrooms and closets, but the design preserved the whitewashed brick.

Mr. Crumpacker insists that their intention was not to create a “luxury Chipotle,” but colleagues have noticed connections, most notably the large walnut-clad block that sits off-center in the space, stopping just short of the ceiling. (the block was pre-fabricated by Architecture outfit and assembled in the loft. The architect claims it’s his favourite part of the loft.) It bears an uncanny resemblance to the free-standing plywood forms Mr. Briner designed to contain restrooms and drinks stations at the restaurants.

The chair that sits in Mr. Crumpacker’s office alcove is Eames Aluminum Management Chair

This volume, however, holds a laundry room, a guest bath, a home office alcove, a pantry and plenty of storage.

The design devotes so much space to storage, in fact, that some closets are still nearly empty. “We’re organized down to the built-in doggy crate,” Mr. Wildin said.

On a recent Sunday, he stood at the kitchen island, which functions as something of a command center for the apartment.

Visiting friends have noticed the resemblance to Chipotle restaurants — particularly elements like the walnut architectural block, which recalls the freestanding plywood volumes @ Chipotle

“I live at the counter,” Mr. Wildin said, “chopping and answering e-mail.” A small hole in the statuary marble surface allows him to plug in an iPad, he said, from which he can adjust the room’s lighting and the window shades.

Pivoting, tongs in hand, he pressed hanger steaks marinated in chili-and-fish sauce into the Gaggenau Vario teppanyaki grill behind him.

“Mark, can you get a silver presentation plate, like your Nambe?” he asked.

Then he filled it and placed it in front of guests seated around the enormous Saarinen pedestal table in the dining room.

“It’s a ShopHouse cut,”

he said.

On the topmost picture:

The large Hope pendant light from Luceplan in the master bathroom has curved polycarbonate lenses that sparkle with light.

The kitchen is furnished with a vintage black granite Saarinen table. The black leather and espresso-stained teak chairs are by Andrianna Shamaris; the Mater barstools are from Design Public.

This two-story penthouse apartment embodies many of PMK’s ideas about integration between space, architecture, urban living, and spirituality into everyday life. Designed for a young couple with a recent newborn daughter, this residence is centered on a common area on the lower floor that supports a wide range of activities, from cooking and dining, family entertainment and music, as well as coming together as a family by its visually seamless transitions from inside to outside to merge the house into its’ cityscape. The large two-story volume of the living area keeps the second floor connected containing a semi-private master bedroom, walk-in closet and master bath, plus a separate private study.

The integrity of the home’s materials was also an important factor in the design—solid woods, concrete, and raw metal were selected because they stand up to day to day needs of a family’s use yet look even better with age. Brick wall surfaces are carefully placed for the display of art and objects, so that these elements are integrated into the architectural fabric of the space.

This 310 square meters (3,337 sq. ft.) state-of-the-art luxury loft apartment has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a lower level integrated gym equipped with a sauna. The main living area has an open floor plan with a gourmet kitchen. The wraparound mezzanine has sitting areas all around and overlooks the main living area below.

The master bedroom has access to a balcony with view of the courtyard. There is a stone wall in the lower level which provides an interesting contrast to the modern staircase. The apartment design includes a two-storey high cathedral window and skylights which allow plenty of natural light to spread through the entire loft.