Tribeca Loft

Tribeca, New York, 2006

The square proportions of this large loft made it difficult to bring light into the deep residential space. The unit was at a low floor level within a multi-floor residential building and facing Murray Street surrounded by taller buildings. The south face was lined with windows and the only other opportunity for natural light was with a small exterior mechanical space at the rear of the apartment. This basic condition necessitated the living and bedroom spaces to be connected to the north and south sides of the perimeter. The solution was to keep the main living spaces as open and light reflecting as possible while pushing the bedroom spaces to the opposite end toward the mechanical space. This left the center for spaces that didn’t require natural light- closets, bathrooms, office spaces, and a functional entertainment space acting as a focal point to the composition. The articulation of the large living space has two large polycarbonate doors that open like airplane hangar doors to reveal functional spaces within. The entertainment pod opens and closes with pivots towards the living space holding lightweight wood slats in the geometric shape of an egg. The design for the bedrooms includes a “false window” in front of the actual window. The view of the mechanical space was very disagreeable so a false window with plantings made for a softer and more appropriate texture behind the master bed.