A debilitated Brooklyn townhouse was restored to its former glory by local architecture studio Khanna Schultz, who paired a careful reconstruction with stylistically modern interventions.
The significant structural and water damage on the 1850s Italianate townhouse in Carroll Gardens didn’t faze the studio; instead, this detriment was treated as an advantage that allowed them to recreate a traditional look for the street-facing façade, and a contemporary set-up for the rear. Archival photos helped them reconstruct the front facade’s original design, while missing fragments of the original stair balusters and door casings were meticulously rebuilt. Other unsalvageable elements, such as the home’s beautiful crumbling plaster medallion, required a more intensive intervention — it was deconstructed and remade using a hand-casting technique.
Moving towards the rear, glazing encased in metal grids frame garden views from the newly-renovated kitchen, casting natural light into the space. A minimalist look was achieved by clean white surfaces and operable wall panels hiding entrances to a bar, a powder room and closets. Beautiful furniture pieces by Deborah Berke Partners and the discerning interior styling of Carin Scheve result in an understated yet elegant aesthetic. Outdoor spaces come in the form of a small but functional garden and a third-floor roof terrace conceived by XS Space’s Julie Farris. The lovely traditional-meets-modern intervention was completed in 2022.
Based in Brooklyn, Khanna Schultz cites shifting perceptions of scale, construction and detailing as a source of inspiration in their work. A small office with a global outlook, they have completed projects spanning the world, from rural Kansas, to suburban Detroit to urban Mumbai.Â
Photography © Julian Wass