Matthew Baird’s Greenwich Street Townhouse Brings Meatpacking Style to the West Village
Get More Info

Matthew Baird’s Greenwich Street Townhouse Brings Meatpacking Style to the West Village

July 11, 2014

One of the things we love most about New York’s historic neighborhoods is that they each have their own distinct architectural style. So we were a little discombobulated (in a good way) when we saw Matthew Baird Architects‘s Greenwich Street Townhouse, which has infused the industrial, rough-edged style of the Meatpacking District into a traditional West Village-rowhouse streetscape.

When they embarked on the project, both the architect and the client sought a contemporary, reductive exterior design to contrast with the warm ambiance and simple materials of the 5,000-square-foot interior. Baird’s interest in prefabrication inspired the construction of the façade from a single piece of raw steel, which was lifted from a truck and bolted into place. When the 40′ x 14′ slab was transported, the inbound lanes on one level of the George Washington Bridge had to be closed!

Matthew Baird Greenwich Townhouse

Flanking the heavy steel façade are floor-to-ceiling, corner glazed windows that let in ample natural light while still maintaining privacy. The interior then opens to the east where there is a glazed, three-story curtain wall that includes a 12′ x 12′ door pane that folds back and transforms the deck and kitchen into one cohesive space. As if that wasn’t enough, more sunlight comes in through apertures in the slabs from a large roof skylight. A central feature of the home, the concrete stairs float in their openings and allow light to pass through to the  floors below.

Matthew Baird Architects, Greenwich Townhouse, NYC contemporary architecture, NYC contemporary interior design

The Greenwich Street Townhouse was the first ground-up building by Matthew Baird, who previously worked in the offices of Mitchell Giurgola, Richard Meier, and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects before starting his own firm. He considers his designs “investigations into the unique material language of each project, tempered by a sensitivity to economic and environmental concerns.” The investigation on Greenwich Street yielded a never-before-seen building, mixing the character of two historic neighborhoods–not too shabby for a first go!

See more of Matthew Baird Architecture’s work here.

Images courtesy Matthew Baird Architecture

Interested in similar content?

Interested in seeing the property in person?

It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo

Distinctive Post Form

"*" indicates required fields

All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. All dimensions are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer and for no listing shall the number of bedrooms listed be considered a legal conclusion.

You May Also Like