A PRECISE INCISION
The removal of the rear wall exposes the contrasting qualities of the parlor and garden levels . While the upper level retains much of the building ' s original detailing , the lower floor does not . A thin metal portal outlines the opening , drawing attention to the contrast . On the lower level , the incision allows for a continuation of an open plan . On the upper level , a gridded glass wall infills the portal and creates a delicate veil to the more traditional character of the upper floors . Taking cues from 19th-century Brooklyn building traditions , the glass wall becomes a porous threshold between the old and new .
" The cube addition is a minimally-adorned , double-height extension that stands in contrast to the upper floors ."
ARCHITECTS PROJECTS
A CUBE OF CONNECTIVITY
The cube addition is a minimally-adorned , double-height extension that stands in contrast to the upper floors . It is free of all moldings and partitions , a characteristic that extends throughout the garden level . The narrow edging of the kitchen cabinetry , the elegantly thin borders of the custom herringbone floor , and the thin lines of each light fixture set the aesthetic of this floor . Ancillary programs such as the pantry , cellar stairs , powder room , and wine storage fill the narrow space along the Western edge of the kitchen .
“ The form of the cube allows for a variety of outdoor spaces , and the carefully crafted openings accentuate connections to nature ,” explains Miller . “ For example , the upper face of the cube features a large , asymmetrical skylight that provides a tangible connection to the exterior environment , allowing residents to track the passage of time and weather from the interior .”
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