A historical neo-Gothic rectory in the New York district of Harlem was breathed into new life by the GRT Architects based in Brooklyn by emphasizing the arch windows of the building and the rooms were lined with reed oak paneling.
The rectory of St. Thomas was designed by Thomas Henry Poole and built in 1907, but was empty for a long time before a world -famous painter discovered the property when he created work for the adjacent church.
GRT Architects was commissioned to convert the abandoned four -story building and took the opportunity to rethink the spatial arrangement in order to adapt it to the changed use.
“This renovation is a milestone in the ongoing dialogue of GRT with historical structures of New York City due to the material and spatial innovations that were used in an adaptive reusing project,” said the studio.
The team began restoring the sandstone and bricks and easily used materials to emphasize the interventions.
A significant change was to connect the sheet window pairs to create elongated vertical openings that indicate the double rooms inside.
The remaining windows were re -glazed appropriately, while the original roof was raised by one meter to accommodate large works of art in the newly created painting studio on the top floor.
A guest apartment is located at the garden level and the main residence takes the central three and a half floors.
All are connected by a white perforated metal staircase that leads up five floors before it ends under a skylight.
“Simple materials with an exquisite effect are used in the main rooms of the house,” said GrT Architects.
The floor plan runs around the living room with a double height, the top half of which is covered with reed panels made of white oak, which continue to the ceiling.
A huge custom-made Michael Anastassiades Kronlekluchter with spherical diffuser is enthroned over a modular camaleonda element made of dated leather from Mario Bellini and a versatile furniture mix, including a coffee table by Misha Kahn.
With a view of the lounge, there is a library and a work area on the intermediate floor, in which a red desk is hidden in the curve of the balustrade.
In the kitchen and dining area, the reed made of oak wood continues over space-high cupboards that surround a window over the sink.
Black and white tiles cover the soil, while the chimney with blushing concrete tiles from the flood and Reeds collection of GRT is enveloped, which form the interrupted groove pattern.
The studio room has a exposed structure and practical rail and strip lighting, while motorized blinds enable the daylight to control the daylight.
Colorful accents can be found in the interiors, from patterned textiles and striking decorative pillows to hexagonal bathroom floor tiles and the extensive art collection of the customer.
“Surfaces and equipment were created more than bought by using the artistic network of our customer for door fittings made of cast brass, irregularly shaped bricks, three -dimensional concrete tiles and other elements,” said the architects. “Furniture, fabrics and plates were all moved into fashion, art and interior design world by friends.”
GRT Architects was founded in 2014 by Tal Schori and Rustam-Marc Mehta and has completed a variety of renovation projects throughout New York City.
These range from a town house in Brooklyn, in which restored blue bathtubs and green furniture were attached, to an apartment in the East Village, which was completely redesigned.
The photography comes from Jason Schmidt.