Preservation of the past, and a nod to the future. In Brooklyn, a historic brownstone dating back to the late 1800s received a much-needed overhaul by New York City-based Palette Architecture. Having been stripped of its original details, partitions and materials by the previous owners, the studio set its sights on revitalising the home’s original character, with contemporary connections to its history and nature.
The most surprising move was Palette Architecture’s decision to completely remove the brownstone’s rear wall and add a 20-foot cube extension that breaches the backyard. The double-height cube exposes the contrasting qualities of the upper levels which retain much of the building’s original detailing, and the distinctly modern lower level.
“The form of the cube allows for a variety of outdoor spaces, and the carefully crafted opening accentuates connections to nature,” explains Peter Miller, a partner of the studio. “For example, the upper face of the cube features a large, asymmetrical skylight that provides a tangible connection to the exterior, allowing residents to track the passage of time and weather from the interior.”
The ground floor unfolds in an open plan layout, custom-fitted with herringbone underfoot, wooden cabinetry, and contemporary light fixtures across the space. A white staircase leads to the more intricately-programmed upper levels that house a formal parlour, a library and a master’s bedroom with a working fireplace. The third floor introduces two more bedrooms and a rooftop terrace that overlooks the garden below. Traditional Italianate trims, mouldings, wall coverings, fixtures and lightings underline a true sense of the building’s original character.
Founded in 2010, Palette Architecture delves into physical spaces that bring a client’s vision to life with their architecture and design expertise. Follow them on Instagram.
Photography © Emily Gilbert for Palette Architecture