Urban Oasis: a Seaport penthouse

From atop a nineteenth century mill building the windows in this glass penthouse reflect downtown office towers, shipping canals and a bustling harbor. Zen is not what comes to mind in this setting but the owner, a modern day hippie, wanted it to be a respite from the urban jungle.

How to fashion him a sanctuary that looks inward as much as it looks out? The result is a lofty space repeating the rhythm of the city but warmly, organically.

The ceiling unfolds like plaster origami through the space, lighting concealed in the creases. The carved kitchen island mimics a water lily, floating in the middle of the great room; although atoll might be a better descriptive – this island wraps around you rather than you walking around it. A parquet field of birch planks and travertine tiles carpet the floors with straw yellow hues.