Brooklyn, New York, USA
Palette Architecture along with Grant Davis Thompson and Isobel Herbold Design revitalize an 1800s Brooklyn family townhouse and succeed to bring the original rowhouse detailing to life in a modern way.
The Cube | House was a 4-story historic single-family townhome that needed rescue since the previous owners stripped away the original details, partitions, and materials, and the building’s spirit had become muddled.
The architectural incision created a transitional space between the Greek Revival details of the main building and the free-plan of the garden level.
The resultant spaces enliven the interior and create a variety of places for activity on the exterior.
“The architectural approach was twofold,” says Peter Miller, a Partner at Palette Architecture.
“In addition to creating a threshold to the historic qualities by carving a 17-foot square hole into the rear of the home, we endeavored to create new contemporary connections through a 20-foot cube located in the rear yard.”
A thin metal portal infilled with a delicate, gridded, glass wall marks the threshold between the traditional upper floors and the contemporary Garden level.
The details take cues from a 19th century Brooklyn building tradition and add character to the double-height space below.
The glassy “veiled” surface creates a place from which one can experience the traditional detailing in the context of a contemporary space.
Natural light and manicured exterior spaces surround the cube-like extension.
Opposite the veiled wall stands a tall glass facade looking upon a native landscape of grasses and shrubs.
Nestled amongst the garden are several hidden seating areas and a patio for entertaining.
The roof of the extensions contains a large, asymmetrical, skylight that provides ample daylight from a rooftop terrace above.
A variety of exterior spaces lend to the unique character of each interior space.
The Library overlooks the double-height Dining Room and receives borrowed light from the skylight above.
The Study connects to the Terrace and encourages the homeowner to take their work outside and enjoy the garden sounds.
The juxtaposition of light and nature becomes the defining feature of each room in the house.
Project: Cube | House
Architects: Palette Architecture LLC
Project Manager: Peter Miller
Design Team: Jeff Wandersman, and John Sunwoo
Builder: Grant Davis Thompson
Structural Engineers: KCE Consulting Engineering
MEP Engineers: Ramierz and Azadian Analysis and Design
Landscape Architects: Isobel Herbold Design
Photographers: Emily Gilbert