The project is the
finish-out of an raw 2300sf shell space in the King William Lofts, a conversion
of a century-old industrial complex in the midst of the King William Historic
District.
The Owner is a business
executive and collector of cutting-edge contemporary art who wanted a space
that would allow him to display his growing collection and enhance its impact.
He also wanted a home with the quality of a retreat from his frequent business
travels.
The lower level is a space
for entertaining—its public character underlined by a large, uncovered steel
window that opens onto a breezeway--allowing a full view of the space to
passersby. This level also includes
a full kitchen reconceived as a minimalist island. A suspended cabinet above displays glassware and
other objects.
The stair to the upper level
begins as an enclosed stair; at the first landing, a tiny powder room is tucked
behind a glazed door. The larger landing
is expanded into mezzanine, overlooking the lower space. This space serves as the Owner’s home
office.
The stair then becomes an
open steel structure which flies above the lower level. The upper level contains two linear
suites—one containing living, media and guest bedroom and bath; the other, the
master bedroom, bath, dressing and utility areas. The living area contains a second satellite kitchen/bar,
this time developed as a single run of low cabinets.
The bedrooms are separated
from the other spaces by glazed pivot doors which are designed to be left open
most of the time. The guest bedroom
is really only an alcove--both the bed and the closet are custom-designed
built-ins.
The master bedroom suite is
anchored on either end by unusual spaces—on one by a bath with a large steam
shower and soaring mirror and cabinetry, on the other by a large dressing room
with a mirrored wall and door.
The color scheme for the
unit is universally white for the walls, floors and ceilings. The art provides the color accents as
do several color “episodes” conceived by the Architects—the chartreuse of the
spiral stair to the roof deck and of the glass tile in the shower floor and
bench, the orange walls of the powder room and the apple green of the daybed in
the guest room.