Lilian H Weinreich Architects’ renovation of this 430 sf studio apartment, situated in the prestigious Hampshire House on New York City’s Central Park South, creates serenity and eliminates excess with modern, essential, and compact design. Light is treated as a material substance; the illumination of varying ceiling planes clearly delineates the apartment’s zones: entry, kitchen, bathroom, and living.

The unit is designed as a pied-à-terre for a retired couple’s frequent visits to New York. A fully functioning kitchen for cooking was a must. By removing and incorporating the narrow entry hallway, the design transforms an impractical kitchenette into an enlarged kitchen with abundant cabinets, utilizing both sides of the new entry passageway.

In the main living space, a queen size bed is hidden in a custom wall unit. The renovation converted the existing bathroom into an ergonomic space, substituting the tub with an accessible shower stall and replacing the vanity with a wall-hung sink to create an obstruction-free floor space. A large, wall-to-wall medicine cabinet provides ample bathroom storage.

Custom grey oiled wide oak plank flooring complements warm white walls. To visually streamline the entire space, all doors are hidden behind full-height flush wall panels and doorframes are eliminated. Besides an entry coat closet, a 25 sf walk-in closet space provides significant storage.

LHWA’s transformation of the space finds an optimal proportion and layout for the individually tailored, compact studio. Every design choice is complementary and fluid, allowing for the enhancement of comfort in minimalist living though function, aesthetic, and craft.

Photos © Francis Dzikowski

Photos © Andrew Kiracofe
(One Before Photo @ Entry Hall/Kitchenette)