Located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, the renovation spans the top three floors of an 1855 townhouse. The existing building plan consists of two units on each level. These were combined to create three open-plan spaces that are vertically integrated by a central staircase. Carefully considered materials, such as salvaged Vermont butternut timber, blackened bronze, steel and carrara marble, form smooth overlapping transitions from one living space to the next. Located just off the living room, opposite white-lacquered cabinetry, the glass-clad powder room includes blackened bronze fixtures designed by Utopus. The custom fabricated steel staircase climbs from the first floor’s entertainment areas, through the private sleeping quarters of the second floor, to the meditative terraces on the third floor. The central stairwell wall is tiled in a blackened limestone while the steel staircase treads are fashioned out of Ipe planks. The south facing multimedia room and office is divided by an adorned wall and a series of sliding doors. The corridor between the private quarters is framed by a set of mirrored sliding and pivoting doors, enhancing depth and
light. These surfaces reflect the inside and outside of the bedrooms, juxtaposing playful views in various directions. Conceived as a quiet and secluded sanctuary, the master bedroom features a heavyweight curtain that runs the length of its north window bank; opposing dark-tinted mirrors that softly extend the room’s depth; and discreet casework offering maximum storage space. In addition to the open floorplans, new windows and skylights create ephemeral sculptures of light and shadow. The master bathroom is finished with Carrara marble slabs and tiles in polished and honed varieties. Clear, frosted, and mirrored glass panels create depth and subdivide the square volume into micro spaces. A corner window filters natural light from the stairwell, creating a soft glow that enhances the bathing experience. Inside becomes outside on the penthouse level, as floorto-ceiling accordian glass doors open the space to
north and south exposures. Brazilian Ipe hardwood is used for flooring, decks, parapets and canopies.
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