The existing space was covered in multiple layers of sheet rock, from “head to toe”. Low sheetrock ceilings covered the tops of the beautiful windows and old joists. Sheetrock walls covered elegant cast-iron columns and exterior brick walls. With a broad space to renovate we considered what we had to work with: exposed ceiling joists, old brick walls, and large windows along two perimeter walls. Our design makes the most of these elements.Rather than building a new ceiling to cover up the dirty joists, we cleaned and sanded them down. We reused old joists in areas where structural damage had occurred. Rather than building additional walls we exposed the columns and used them to subdivide spaces rather than building additional walls. By building out bathrooms, bedrooms and other private spaces towards the back of the loft, we opened up the front, allowing natural light to enter as deeply into the space as possible.A green roof was also added to the loft. This outdoor space helps tremendously with cooling and heating for this top floor apartment, where the roof composes the majority of the apartments surface area where heat is gained and lost. The roof has become a green oasis within the city for the homeowners.This loft has been published worldwide.