Brooklyn Pre-War Apartment
Transforming this large triangular Co-op unit, located in a historic pre-war Brooklyn building, introduced unique challenges to the design team, which required very creative solutions. The completed product is beyond anyone’s expectations.
Photography by Blue Slate Films & Pernille Loof
The Plan
Our team has developed a sophisticated layout that respects the building's unique structure while bringing it up to modern living standards.
We introduced two thick wall partitions with large cased openings to divide half of the apartment's footprint into its three main living areas - the kitchen, the dining room, and the living room. This offers easy circulation between the spaces and links them visually, directing views and offering a sense of openness.
The kitchen island - a monolithic centerpiece wrapped in black soapstone - is unconventionally located perpendicular to the main kitchen counter and cuts through one of the cased openings, opening the kitchen to the dining room.
Custom millwork pieces have been installed in the dining room and living room, including a breakfast nook banquette, a bookcase with storage, shelving, and a long piece designed to conceal the steam radiators and a new AC unit and provide shelving for books.
Sustainability
As part of the project, we have insulated all exterior walls of the apartment. We have integrated a new, high-efficiency HVAC system to maximize the ceiling height and ensure appropriate air distribution throughout the unit. This new system cools the apartment with a fraction of the energy previously used by the dozen or so window AC units it replaced. By opening up the floor plan, we have brought in much more daylight, which, together with the use of LED fixtures, has dramatically reduced the energy used for lighting. Additionally, we have installed a new mechanical exhaust system and utilized low-VOC paints, low-formaldehyde plywood, and cabinets to ensure high indoor air quality.
View of the new living room which opens up to the dining area towards the back
Entry area
A custom L-shaped banquette and a round table create an informal dining area by the window
One of the kids’ room features a floral wallpaper
The kitchen island is wrapped in soapstone
Primary Bath with turquoise glazed tile and cherry vanity
Primary Bedroom
Master bedroom nook
The Compact Home office features custom built-in millwork
