in the heart of new york city‘s greenwich village, SKOLNICK architecture + design partnership  has transformed an 1830s townhouse into a bright and capacious dwelling. conceived as a ‘vertical loft’, the renovation preserves the original masonry façade but carves out a new world inside, one which prioritizes light, space and openness. 

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

dining area that opens onto the rear garden

images courtesy of SKOLNICK architecture + design partnership

 

 

the historic federal style façade was carefully retained during construction, as were a majority of the existing interior floor plates. behind this masonry face, SKOLNICK opened up the more traditionally compartmentalized building to create a series of spaces uniquely suited to the lives, everyday experiences, and sensibilities of the inhabitants. the design team also brought natural light into the five storys through the use of skylights, double-height spaces and ceiling voids. the result is a spacious haven that feels a million miles away from the buzzing metropolis of NYC.

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

the rear garden

 

 

helping to create this bright and airy dwelling is the dramatic four-story wall of glass that clads the rear elevation. in addition to bathing the interiors in light, the glass also affords tranquil views of greenery and extends the internal living spaces outside. by carving out the earth at the garden level of the house, SKOLNICK created a seamless connection to the rear terrace. on the roof, they also inserted a new penthouse space that similarly connects to a terrace garden.

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

the double-height ceiling and voids make for a light-filled space

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

front parlor

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

master bedroom

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

ensuite shower room to the master bedroom

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

office

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

floating staircase

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

the treads create a beautiful display of light and shadow

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

detail of the stair treads

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

stair skylight

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

roof terrace

SKOLNICK turns a 1830s townhouse into a light-filled 'vertical loft' in NYC designboom

rear façade

 

 

project info:

 

name: vertical loft

location: greenwich village, new york city, NY, the US

architect: SKOLNICK architecture + design partnership

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom