West 27th Street Penthouse
New York, New York
A professional couple commissioned us to design a 4,000 square foot home that could serve as a soothing escape from city noise and intensity. The penthouse loft they purchased was in the Garment District and included access to a rooftop with views of the Empire State Building. Our design strives to create a place of tranquility; interior spaces flow into one another without obstruction.
We introduced natural light to the interiors through the creation of two linear skylights and a small two-story glass atrium, which also provide direct access from the living area to the roof. Formally, the architecture is spare. Spaces are appointed with furniture that reinforces its simplicity—from the rectilinear benches that run the length of the dining table to the flush casework throughout the space. The materials are limited and warm: wood, pigmented concrete, blackened steel, and tile lend their unique character to each room. The blackened-steel and wood stairway ascends into the light of the atrium.
The wooden tile mosaic in the dining area is a bold tapestry, but the placid look in the girl’s eyes—evoking Botticelli’s Birth of Venus—tempers its presence and allows it to augment the space without diminishing its calm. The mosaic was a favorite of the clients: a product resulting from the collaboration of an illustrator and a design studio. Slated for demolition at a nearby restaurant, the clients obtained and repurposed it for the space. The space has been the setting for many films, television series and commercials.
Custom steel stringer staircase
The furniture is minimal and modern. The solidity of wood and stone is punctuated by the skylight’s glass—a layer of transparency that counterbalances to the other materials.
Light-filled living area
A week before its scheduled demolition, the clients managed to save the historic mosaic from a nearby restaurant: purchasing it and hiring a crew to dismantle it piece by piece, carefully numbering and wrapping each tile in conservation paper.
The 3,000 square foot roof terrace celebrates the expansive view of New York City; the Empire State Building rises majestically in the distance. With trees lining the perimeter, the terrace feels grounded and adds to the client’s desire for a contemplative oasis.
