SheltonMindel Greenwich Village Revival

Brief: In a Manhattan Federal Greek Revival townhouse that had seen extensive renovations in the 1880’s, 1940’s and 1980’s, restore the original structure, add two stories, excavate to enlarge the kitchen, create a garden and return this structure to a single-family residence. Solution: In order to clarify and respect the dignity of this historic Greek revival townhouse, the nature of the original building had to be recaptured and restored. The new construction does not turn its back on the past yet does not try to replicate what was built in 1840. The modernist vocabulary of bronzed steel and glass is sensitive to the scale and composition of the Federal Architecture. The changes and additions are not visible on the street facade in order to repeat the context of the neighborhood. The rooftop addition is set back on both street and garden elevations. The rear façade incorporates a vertical three-story interior circulation space and 4th floor larger scale window. These openings bring more light into the north façade and integrate views of the garden. The proportions and composition of that glazing are derived from the historic windows of the original structure yet do not try to literally replicate them. At the upper and lower garden level, the bronzed steel and glass curtain wall is of a larger scale. A sandblasted glass roof/terrace structure and the curtain wall enclose the kitchen and seating area. The curtain wall becomes ceiling becomes the railing for the terrace above by omitting the glass and reduces the number of elements that would distract from the historic building. The glass terrace platform brings light into the kitchen/seating below and acts as an illuminate for the parlor floor. The interior spaces are consistent with the architecture. Historic rooms are restored; modern spaces do not try and look “old.” Architecture, interior, and landscape are integrated to create a seamless environment.