BROOKLYN HEIGHTS TOWNHOUSE

Situated on a majestic, historic street in Brooklyn Heights, this Federal-era townhouse was once occupied by William James and is protected by the Landmarks Preservation Committee. Our client — a multi-generational Japanese family composed of a ceramicist, a philosopher, a couple of young professionals and a few toddlers — wanted to preserve some of the original period details while transforming the house to suit their contemporary lifestyle.

The wood-framed glass curtain wall at the new rear façade allows natural light to penetrate deep into the house. A double-height library and reading loft became the heart of the lower half of the house. An oversized wood-framed glass door connects the library to a terrace and rock garden — a place of retreat.

A pair of restored Federal-era pocket doors on the Parlor level lead into the three-story lower apartment while the staircase leads up to the two-story apartment. Throughout the house, we designed Harmon doors, pivoting walls and double pocket doors to create spaces that transform — open or close to one another — so that the house can respond to this dynamic family who live and change together.

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Status: Completed
Scale: 5000 sq. ft.
Collaborators: LERA, ABS Engineering, Dot Dash, K Hoyt Landscape
Built By: Grant Davis Thompson
Photography: Max Burkhalter