When architects design their own home, to call it “a labor of love” is something of an understatement, and Architizer’s cofounder and CEO Marc Kushner understands this better than most. The practicing architect — a founding partner of Manhattan-based firm Hollwich Kushner — is currently in the midst of a highly personal project, planning the renovation of a townhouse for his family in Brooklyn’s leafy Cobble Hill neighborhood.
As with any transformation of an existing building in such a distinctive district, the careful selection of finish materials throughout the townhouse will be key to the project’s success, and Kushner is looking to the surface specialists at Cosentino for help. Check out the video below, as the architect visits the Spanish company’s Manhattan showroom to select from the unique range ofDektonultracompact materials:
With a deep appreciation for the idiosyncratic context of this famous 40-block nook of New York City, Kushner is seeking to stay “really true to the townhouse type,” striking a balance between contemporary style and the existing aesthetics of the building. The project is not about ripping down walls and starting over; it is about subtle transformations — improving the quality of the space without irrevocably altering its essence.
Kushner sketches out a vision for the transformation of his family’s Brooklyn home.
As a practicing architect, being smart with specifying is nothing new for Kushner, who knows exactly which aspects of each space demand the highest attention to detail and a high-quality material palette. “What we’re using the Dekton product for is moments of refinement,” explains the architect, “so, the kitchen, the master bath, the tile that goes from indoors to outdoors on the roof deck. Those are moments that we wanted to really shine, and play against the rest of the house, which is a little rough and a little unrefined.”
High-quality raw materials will add a dash of contemporary chic to the period property.
The tactile quality of natural stone looks sure to lend the townhouse a touch of modern sophistication, while remaining understated enough to allow the character of this historic home to shine through. For more information on and images of Cosentino’s Dekton range, check out their expansive profile on Architizer.
