Architecture And Design

Olson Kundig Architects Turn an Upper East Side Water Tower Into a Fantasy Penthouse
October 2, 2015

Olson Kundig Architects Turn an Upper East Side Water Tower Into a Fantasy Penthouse

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By U.S. standards New York is a pretty old city, and over the years New Yorkers have been pretty diligent about preserving its historic architecture. As we head into the future, we're seeing more and more old industrial buildings being transformed into beautiful homes. A great example is this Upper East Side penthouse built inside a water tower that is not only awesome in concept, but is also stunning to look at. Lili and Lee Siegelson, the couple who own the immaculate home, worked with Olson Kundig Architects, and together they transformed two floors of the building into an apartment big enough for their happy family.
Go inside this stunning penthouse
Emanuele Magini’s Sosia Sofa Transforms From Daybed to Couch in Just Seconds
October 2, 2015

Emanuele Magini’s Sosia Sofa Transforms From Daybed to Couch in Just Seconds

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With limited space, New Yorkers need to be smart about how they furnish their homes. This is no easy task, so when a piece of furniture as versatile as Sosia comes along, you bet we're paying attention. At first glance this green-colored floppy foam looks like a standard room divider, but in reality it is a lot more than meets the eye. Designed by Milan-based Emanuele Magini, the bendable foam can be easily be reshaped for a variety of different purposes including a dressing room, two-seat sofa, bed and more.
Learn more about Sosia
Carroll Gardens Townhouse Gets Modern Update With Glass, Metal and a Floating Staircase
October 1, 2015

Carroll Gardens Townhouse Gets Modern Update With Glass, Metal and a Floating Staircase

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When someone says, "Carroll Gardens townhouse," metal and glass aren't always the first things that come to mind. However, in this modern home designed by Robert Young Architects, they are both major players. The home's interior color palette is also unique, contrasting deep reds and bright citrus greens with brick walls and hardwood floors and furnishings. The multiple levels are structured around an open central channel, giving the home expansive views from every floor.
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Construction Kicks Off at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Eight-Acre Marina Atop a Subway Line
October 1, 2015

Construction Kicks Off at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Eight-Acre Marina Atop a Subway Line

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Most of the conversation about Brooklyn Bridge Park has been centered around the residential Pierhouse and the controversy surrounding its height, but right next door, an entirely different part of the urban development is taking shape. The Wall Street Journal reports that construction on the eight-acre $28 million marina between Piers 4 and 5 has commenced, with an opening planned for next spring. Officially called One° 15 Brooklyn Marina, its sailing club already has 145 pre-registered members. In addition to the fact that it will bring 140 slips to Brooklyn Heights, the project is most notable for its unconventional construction. Normally to build a marina, dock builders drill piles into the waterbed to support the docks, but at this site the R subway line is directly below. "The solution was to sink 160 giant concrete blocks, weighing 10 tons each, to the bottom of the East River," says the Journal. Then, "a large, elastic bungee cord-like mooring system called Seaflex will be used to connect the dock on the water’s surface to the concrete block below."
More details and renderings
Revenge Architecture: Four New York Buildings Constructed out of Spite
September 30, 2015

Revenge Architecture: Four New York Buildings Constructed out of Spite

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We don't have to love our neighbors, but life is most certainly less stressful when they're easy to get along with. But as we all know, this is not always the case, and in several instances in New York's turbulent history, a friendly local feud has resulted in some rancor constructions—or what's better known today as "spite houses." According to Wikipedia, a spite house is a building constructed or modified to irritate neighbors or any party with land stakes. While this definition illustrates the basic concepts of the act, it doesn't quite capture the vengeful spirit that powers it. With that said, we've perused the archives and put together a quick history lesson featuring a few famous examples of spiteful architecture that's risen in New York over the past centuries.
read more about four of new york's spite houses
The Bronx May Get Its Own Lowline-Style Park at Abandoned Mott Haven Rail Tracks
September 30, 2015

The Bronx May Get Its Own Lowline-Style Park at Abandoned Mott Haven Rail Tracks

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Ever since the High Line became an international phenomenon, there have been countless proposals across the city for elevated parks and public spaces made from abandoned train tracks. The latest comes from the Bronx, where Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is asking Mayor de Blasio to transform a piece of unused railway in Mott Haven that is currently a "homeless encampment populated by drug users," according to the Daily News. Because the "litter-and-needle-strewn" trench is below street level, it's being called a lowline, after the underground park taking shape on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
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Cobble Hill Brownstone by Budding Designer Blair Harris Mixes Vintage Finds With Modern Details
September 29, 2015

Cobble Hill Brownstone by Budding Designer Blair Harris Mixes Vintage Finds With Modern Details

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The gorgeous interior of this Cobble Hill townhouse was completed by Blair Harris Interior Design. The home is an eclectic yet elegant combination of classic vintage pieces and crisp modern detailing, all of which is a tribute to the hard work of this budding designer. Harris entered the New York design scene in 2005 after receiving her BFA in Art History. She then spent the next six years honing her skills working at The Jeffrey Design Group before breaking out on her own in the winter of 2011.
Check out one of Harris' beautiful designs
This $2.35M Artist-Renovated Ditmas Park Victorian Is Both Cozy and Cool
September 29, 2015

This $2.35M Artist-Renovated Ditmas Park Victorian Is Both Cozy and Cool

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While we're used too seeing renovated houses with gorgeous details and top-of-the-line finishes, it's not as often we see one that's modern and fresh, but also feels like a well-loved home. The 1902 Victorian at 210 Stratford Road is that rare house. According to the listing (h/t Brownstoner), it was "lovingly restored and renovated by two artists," which explains the perfect blend of cozy and cool evident on every floor of this two-family, three-story Ditmas Park home on the market for $2.35 million.
Take the tour
New Details and Final Rendering for 45 Park Place, Condo Tower at ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ Site

Rendering of 45 Park Place via Williams New York (L); Aerial view of 45 Park Place in the downtown skyline via CityRealty

September 28, 2015

New Details and Final Rendering for 45 Park Place, Condo Tower at ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ Site

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In July, 6sqft revealed that 12,000-square-foot lot at 45 Park Place in Tribeca (the former site of the controversial Ground Zero Mosque that was shelved four years ago by developer Sharif El-Gamal) was cleared to make way for a huge new condo. The lot is owned by El-Gamal’s SoHo Properties, who, just today, unveiled the final design for the slender, SOMA Architects-designed tower, along with new details, including its 665-foot height and sky-high pricing. As Bloomberg reports, the 70-story glass tower "will include at least 15 full-floor units of 3,200 to 3,700 square feet, and average prices higher than $3,000 a square foot... Prices at that level would be at least 13 percent more than the second-quarter average for new-development listings in the borough."
More details ahead
Interior Designer Hilary Robertson Brings British Charm to Her Brooklyn Brownstone
September 28, 2015

Interior Designer Hilary Robertson Brings British Charm to Her Brooklyn Brownstone

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Interior designer Hilary Robertson moved from a four-bedroom Victorian in Hastings, England to Brooklyn about nine years ago with her husband and infant son. Prior to her departure west, she had to get rid of most of the objects and furniture she had used to make her house a home for many years. Attempting to settle into her new space in Brooklyn, she found it challenging to recreate the same feeling of home she was accustomed to back in England. That was until she and her husband made their first trip to the Brimfield Antiques Flea Market in Massachusetts where Ms. Roberston's passion was reignited. Her home is now a sprawling tribute to her own personal style and is packed full of beautifully curated rooms.
Look around the home
These Brightly Colored Rugs Are Inspired by Graffiti and Patterns in Nature
September 28, 2015

These Brightly Colored Rugs Are Inspired by Graffiti and Patterns in Nature

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When we think about decorating an apartment, most of us start with our walls, but with these new rug designs from Swedish artist Jonathan Josefsson you might want to consider your floor first. Josefsson is based in Gothenburg and has a background in graffiti. His brightly colored rugs take cues from his street art days and depict organic and playful patterns that will certainly liven up even the drabbest living space.
Find out more about the rugs
Watch Videos of Morgan Stanley’s New Times Square LED Screens That Replaced Its Iconic Zipper
September 25, 2015

Watch Videos of Morgan Stanley’s New Times Square LED Screens That Replaced Its Iconic Zipper

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Last week, Morgan Stanley unveiled a set of seven modernized LED signs at the base of its headquarters building at 1585 Broadway in Times Square. The digital billboards, which took five months to replace, feature six million LED pixels that can display up to 281 trillion colors. The screens replace the iconic amber ticker that stood at the lower three floors of the Gwathmey, Siegel & Associates-designed building for more than 20 years. Since the sign was inspired by similar signage at Bloomberg's 731 Lexington Avenue, the bank spent nine months working with Bloomberg's internal creative agency to develop its content. With custom-built technology by British-based Framestore, the screens can display updated imagery and data at all times. The sign's fact sheet (PDF) notes that the displays will be operational 19 hours a day and will display 2,100 pieces of distinct content, including 855 news headlines and real-time data of eight global indices.
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Noho Apartment Boasts Vintage Detailing and Doubles as a Performance Venue
September 25, 2015

Noho Apartment Boasts Vintage Detailing and Doubles as a Performance Venue

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New York City is known for its multi-functional spaces, but seeing how the concept is incorporated into homes on an individual basis is always an exciting venture, and this transitional space in Noho is no exception. Designed by Wettling Architects, the very cool apartment was renovated to be both a home and a gathering hall for performances and benefits. Plus, it's full of vintage accessories reminiscent of an an old school New York many of us have only seen on TV, an interesting fact considering it was once home to "Law & Order: SVU" star B.D. Wong.
See more of this fun space
Check Out These Insane Views From Brooklyn’s First 1,000+ Foot Tower
September 25, 2015

Check Out These Insane Views From Brooklyn’s First 1,000+ Foot Tower

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Seeing the boroughs from sky-high heights is nothing new thanks to all the supertall towers in Manhattan, but it's not as common to have a panoramic view of our main island, which is why we had to share this video. JDS Development posted the short clip on their Instagram stream yesterday that shows potential views from their upcoming mixed-use skyscraper planned for Downtown Brooklyn using air rights from the Dime Savings Bank site. If constructed as intended, it will be the first 1,000+ foot tower outside of Manhattan. The nine-second video, whose camera height seems nearly eye-level to the 1,368-foot roof of One World Trade Center, depicts far-reaching, panoramic views to the west and northwest over Manhattan and beyond.
Check it out here
Richard Silver’s Vertical Panoramic Photos of New York Churches Are Vertigo-Inducing

L to R: Church of St. Francis Xavier, Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Monica’s Church

September 24, 2015

Richard Silver’s Vertical Panoramic Photos of New York Churches Are Vertigo-Inducing

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When 6sqft has mentioned vertigo-inducing photographs in the past, it's been in reference to the daredevil Instagrammers who climb to the top of some of the city's tallest structures. But this mesmerizing series (h/t Colossal) does the exact opposite, taking forward- and upward-looking vertical panoramic shots of New York City churches. And though they're not looking down a thousand feet, these photos still might send your head spinning. Photographer Richard Silver, a born-and-bred New Yorker, is known for his architectural and travel shots, where he likes to "present our everyday world in an altered visual context" through techniques such as Tilt Shift, Vertical Panoramas and Time Slice. And just in time for Pope Francis' historic visit to the city, he's released his church series.
See more photos and learn about Silver's process
$3M Mansion Has a 130-Foot-Long Bomb-Proof Underground Tunnel
September 24, 2015

$3M Mansion Has a 130-Foot-Long Bomb-Proof Underground Tunnel

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At first glance, this Voorhees, NJ home known as the Alton Estate seems like your average, over-the-top, suburban mega-mansion, with its ridiculous amenities like a Grecian-inspired pool, two-story pool house that connects to the main house via an above-ground ramp, 12-person Jacuzzi, DJ booth, full gym with cedar-lined sauna, soundproof movie theater, and 42-seat bar. But then it gets really interesting. First noted by Curbed, the listing touts a 130-foot-long, solid concrete, underground bomb-proof tunnel. It's not clear why the owners installed this insane panic room, but for those who live in fear of the Apocalypse, and have $2.9 to spare, here's your dream home.
See the rest of this eccentric mansion
Clever Skyline Wrapping Paper Turns Gifts Into City Buildings From Around the World
September 24, 2015

Clever Skyline Wrapping Paper Turns Gifts Into City Buildings From Around the World

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We're suckers for almost anything boasting a city skyline, and this cleverly illustrated skyline gift wrap from Suck UK is no exception. The super-sized gift wrap is printed with building facades from around the world. And since most gift boxes are already shaped like buildings, it will be easy to turn any birthday party or holiday celebration into an urban landscape.
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Bright Harlem Apartment Features Transformative Rooms and Is Wheelchair Accessible
September 24, 2015

Bright Harlem Apartment Features Transformative Rooms and Is Wheelchair Accessible

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6sqft often covers space-saving design and multi-functional furniture, but it's not everyday that we get to share interior design and architecture that has the potential to significantly impact someone's quality of life. However, the renovation of this 1,500-square-foot Harlem apartment, led by the architecture firm Ten to One, is a great example of this type of universal design. The apartment was designed to provide distinct access for a family member who is in a wheelchair. The redesign features clever architectural detailing that gives each room the ability to blend together or be separate and surfaces that can act as figures or enclosures. It also introduced a system of walls and ceilings that cut through the existing structure to expose new depths.
Check it out
Wild Walk, an Upstate Treetop Trail, Was Inspired by the High Line
September 24, 2015

Wild Walk, an Upstate Treetop Trail, Was Inspired by the High Line

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The High Line has inspired countless urban projects, from local ideas like the QueensWay to international schemes like the Chapultepec Project in Mexico City, but it's not as often that we see the elevated park cited as inspiration for rural projects. But that's the case for Wild Walk, an upstate treetop trail nestled in the Adirondacks, according to Dezeen. The trail is located at the Wild Center, a 79-acre nature reserve within Adirondack Park, the largest natural park in the lower 48 states. Wild Walk is elevated between 30 and 40 feet off the ground and is a series of bridges and paths supported by pointed towers made from pre-rusted steel tubes, which resemble the cabin-like architecture one would expect to find in the mountains.
Learn all about this treetop trail
Elizabeth Roberts Combines Styles for a Traditional Yet Hip Park Slope Brownstone
September 23, 2015

Elizabeth Roberts Combines Styles for a Traditional Yet Hip Park Slope Brownstone

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One of the best things about design and architecture in New York City is the constant flow of culture and influence, and the combination of styles and custom architectural detailing found inside this Italianate brownstone reflects this ever-present vibrancy and rhythm. The home is situated on quaint Bergen Street in Park Slope and recently underwent a gut renovation led by the design team at Elizabeth Roberts Design/Ensemble Architecture. The structure that now boasts four bedrooms is perfect for a growing family (plus it has a rental apartment on the garden level), and its interior is decorated with a combination of cool muted tones and dark bold accents.
Tour the home
Modern ‘House on the Hill’ Sits in an Open Meadow Miles Away From Any City
September 23, 2015

Modern ‘House on the Hill’ Sits in an Open Meadow Miles Away From Any City

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The owners of the "House on the Hill" in upstate New York are a couple of NYC-based art collectors who for the past twenty-five years have spent their weekends in an old farmhouse in Columbia County. In love with the sweeping views and the near-untouched landscape that greeted them every time they made the trip up, they decided they wanted to build an eco-friendly passive house in the middle of a forest clearing nearby. With the idea of living a simpler and more efficient life in mind, they asked Gates Merkulova Architects to build them a shelter designed with materials that would age as gracefully as they hoped to with time.
Learn more about this modern retirement home
SHoP’s Billionaires’ Row Supertall Gets a Spectacular Real-Life Mockup
September 22, 2015

SHoP’s Billionaires’ Row Supertall Gets a Spectacular Real-Life Mockup

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Rendering versus reality? SHoP can certainly boast that the real thing will look as good, if not better, than the drawings they've put out. Yesterday afternoon, JDS Development Instagrammed (h/t Curbed) an amazing shot of a scale model facade of their ultra-skinny tower going up at 111 West 57th Street. The mockup features the same materials and finishes that will be applied to the actual construction, and by any stretch of the imagination, if you multiply this beauty's terracotta, glass, and bronze filigree to its 1,428-foot potential, it will certainly be one of the city's most striking buildings. Who says architects don't care about detail anymore?
More this way
10 ways to make a studio apartment feel bigger
September 22, 2015

10 ways to make a studio apartment feel bigger

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Our new series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. This week we look at the space and storage struggles that come with studio living. Every New Yorker knows far too well the challenges associated with small living spaces. However, for the folks living in studio apartments, they need to be experts. While we love the beautiful vintage furniture and lush apartment plants that spruce up our digs, when thinking about decorating a studio, one should first start with the basics of good planning and smart design. For our many space-challenged readers, we've put together some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your limited square footage.
10 tips to try out here
Park Slope Brownstone Renovation by Ben Herzog Adds Open Space and Natural Light
September 22, 2015

Park Slope Brownstone Renovation by Ben Herzog Adds Open Space and Natural Light

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Compared with traditional suburban living, the densely packed rowhouses that populate many Brooklyn streets might seem dark claustrophobic. Therefore, it's no surprise that the owners of this narrow Park Slope brownstone wanted their renovation by Architect Ben Herzog to add as much natural light as possible. The first order of business was to remove walls, open up the rear facade, and increase the amount of glass and light. Many other changes were made along the way, and the resulting interior is a brightly lit, airy space that feels welcoming and fresh.
Take a look around
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