A
deceptively simple space in the East Village offers complexity achieved through
a number of spatial determinations. Originally composed as a wide open loft,
the apartment needed further definition for its new owners. Young professionals
demanding more functions of their living space, requested specific uses while
keeping the loft-y ideas of high ceilings and open qualities. Desired was a
separated bedroom, an open kitchen essential especially for social events, a
larger bathroom and a work area for two that can be enclosed as needed with an
integrated library for a good amount of books.A few
simple shifts, a reallocation of function according to the new owners living
style together with designed elements generated a spatial transformation. A
large built-in ‘living wall’ hugs the east and partial north wall. It houses
the library at its narrowest and angles towards a wider work area, turning the
corner to produce a wider area for the now open kitchen. The move of the
kitchen to be exposed towards the dining/living space allowed the new bathroom
to occupy the once cave-like galley kitchen. An new closet defined the entry
area while a partial wall with double floor-to-ceiling pocket doors on each
side separated the bedroom from living when needed, while still offering the
open loft-quality and substantial light from the eastern façade.