Blue Building

It was a direct commission by a private client who requested the renovation of an existing three-story building for a private residence with additional rental space on the ground floor.

The Blue Building is a private townhouse located in Bushwick, Brooklyn for an artist couple. The three-story building opens up to a private patio at the back of the lot that is intentionally left open built around an existing large magnolia tree. The light colored concrete patio is surrounded by a reflective corrugated surface that picks up all color changes throughout the passing of the day. A blue perforated aluminum outdoor curtain isolates part of the outdoor space, creating an intimate environment with a sense of privacy as the lower floor of the building often hosts guests. 

The interior has been completely renovated leaving only the bare structure of the existing building. Narrow black stained hardwood floors, bright white walls and exposed original brick elements give a loft-like feel and intensify the opened-up interior space volume.  

At the top floor, the tall 11-foot ceiling creates an open living loft with large windows and skylights. Translucent, full-height polycarbonate panels open up to the few rooms, such as a children room and a study connecting them all in one space, maintaining visual continuity, brightness and sense of scale when shut.

Metal extrusions that frame the openings at the outside create depth between interior and exterior. Their inner side painted white reflects more bright light into the interior space and extends the interior outside.

The color was inspired by the studio’s design project Formations, a series of ultramarine blue playful seating-scaled elements that at the time of construction was first presented as an urban art installation.

The complete gut renovation of a centenary townhouse brings the opportunity to create a statement on a vibrant changing neighborhood. The monochromatic blue exterior responds with its own bold expression to the urban fabric.

Since this was a gut renovation of an existing frame building, there were many unknowns in regards to the structure. A few alterations were needed to respond to site-specific needs, though overall the design was carried out in its totality from concept to construction. Project management on site and architect supervision ended up being valuable in the final outcome. 

Email interview conducted by John Hill.