The duplex is a renovation of a unit in the Sugar Warehouse, which was converted to residential condominiums in the early 2000’s. The finishes were sponsor grade, and the layout was utilitarian and uninspired. The new apartment has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a laundry room, and an expansive living space.
Project name: Laight St. Duplex
Project type: Project-single family residence
Project location: Manhattan NYC
Size/ Built area: Approx. 2,500 sf (3 beds, 2.5 baths)
Budget: 1 M
Architect: Rodriguez Studio Architecture PC
Carlos Rodriguez Infanzon AIA- Principal ; Ivonne Perusquia Diaz Senior Associate Principal ; Team: Caitlin Watson AIA ,Kyter Steffes AIA
Interior Designer/furnishing: Sandra Handloser Co Interiors + Art https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-handloser-66840113/
Contractor: Prime Renovations
Photo credit: David Joseph
Rodriguez Studio unified the open plan of the double height living space by exposing the original brick and making a historic connection with the building’s industrial past. A band of cement board runs across this wall and works as both a unifying element and a functional deployment of lighting, sound, and shading systems for the dining area and kitchen. Conceptually, the utility core is wrapped in reclaimed Wyoming snow fence and set off against the openness of the double height space.
The connection between the levels was re-imagined by wrapping the stair around one of two central columns. The bar wraps around the other, creating a point of connection between the dining and living areas. A small play area at the top of the stairs helps unify the more private second floor with the rest of the living space and activates it as a usable set of rooms.
The kitchen was carved out of the utility core and expanded to include a banquette with a window seat overlooking the Hudson River.
The master suite was also re-imagined, creating 2 large walk-in-closets, and the bathroom was expanded to feel more spa-like and luxurious.
The furnishings were selected for their richness and timelessness. Additionally, an effort was made to juxtapose rough, industrial architectural materials with softer fabrics and detailing throughout. Weathered wood plays against.
A finely detailed kitchen, cement board cuts across rough brick, blackened steel is embedded into warm walnut, and soft fabrics accentuate wire brushed millwork. Lighting serves to accentuate the transitions between rough and smooth, hard and soft.
Materials and furnishings
Foyer:
– Custom mirror door over trash chute
– 4” Milgo Bufkin blackened steel frame with Agateen lacquer finish at threshold
-Kadur custom blown glass chandelier by Shakuff
-Reclaimed Wyoming Snowfence wall paneling by Centennial Woods
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Sweet Innocence
Living Room:
-Walnut floor throughout supplied by Essex Coatings
-Custom 9’x13’ wool+silk rug by VanDenLoom
-Pair of reupholstered vintage chrome Milo Baughman Lounge Chairs from Modern Drama in Chicago
-Vintage chrome Milo Baughman nesting tables sourced from Ebay
-Bensen Edward Sectional from Modernlink with button tufting; fabric- Scoop #26 (charcoal)
-Bob Chair + Ottoman by Coalesse; fabric- Designtex Samba Dove
-Desiron custom Soho Cocktail Table
-Ecosmart firebox
-Custom bench at fireplace, Cypress veneer by KD panel
-Custom shelf with magazine rack and drink holder, Cypress veneer by KD panel
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Decorator’s White and Shadow Gray
Bar:
-Custom millwork, Cypress veneer by KD panel
-Antiqued glass backsplash
-Cement board cladding at column from CBF
Band at brick wall:
-Clad in cement board from CBF
-Houses: uplighting, downlighting, speakers, window roller shades
Kitchen:
-Custom banquette bench, Cypress veneer by KD panel
-Banquette bench cushion: fabric-Kravet Pyxis in Gunmetal, fabricated by Rollhaus
-Custom steel banquette table- Desiron
-Custom cabinetry in white lacquer finish
-Countertop: White nanoglass
-Backsplash: Calacatta marble in herringbone pattern
-Fontana Arte Pangen Pendant in white
-Floor: Antares Nero porcelain tile
Dining Room:
-Custom live-edge walnut slab table with steel base by Jeffrey Greene
-Argent linear pendant by Terzani
-Mixture of low-back and high-back SO chairs by Ligne Roset in Vera Citron
-Cineline Sideboard by Ligne Roset
Powder Room:
-Wallpaper by Osborne and Little
-Accent wall in Deco Filo tile by Porcelanosa
-Modena Black floor tile
Master Bedroom:
-Ruche King Bed by Ligne Roset
-Cineline Side Tables by Ligne Roset in Argile Lacquer
-FLOS Miss K bedside lamps
-Custom decorative painting at wall behind bed by Mark Chamberlain
-Darin Bench by Desiron in Donghia Ginger Swing Silver fabric
-Slim Chaise by Windsor Smith Home in Kravet Dream Weaver Sterling fabric
-Custom 8’x10’ banana silk rug by VanDenLoom
-Wall sconces by Jonathan Adler
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Lacey Pearl
Master Bathroom:
-Custom vanity cabinet and linen cabinet with tilt-out hamper
-Blue de Savoie marble top
-Modena Gray floor tile
-Calacatta Gold marble wall tile
-Accent wall in Sinuous Calacatta Gold Marble Mosaic by Artistic Tile
-Ceiling in Ralph Lauren Regency Metallics Silver Plated
Stair:
-Runner by Tretford in Dapple Gray
Den:
-Custom dog/baby gate in Cypress veneer by KD panel
-Sutton Soffette by West Elm in Performance Velvet Lagoon fabric
-Ceiling lights by Jonathan Adler
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Mountain Dew and Decorator’s White
Guest Bathroom:
-Utah Gray floor tile by Artistic Tile
-Zeus Blanco field tile by Porcelanosa
Baby Bedroom:
-Duc Duc crib and changing table
-Hudson Valley carpet in Morning Fog
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Lavender Ice and Decorator’s White
Guest Bedroom:
-Custom desk in white lacquer
-Rug and furniture by owners
-Built-in dresser
-Walls in Benjamin Moore Regal, Silver Satin
About Rodriguez Studio:
Rodríguez studio was founded in 2004 to focus on intimately scaled projects in which the clients’ perspectives and lifestyles are integrated and celebrated by design. Collaboration and interaction are central themes in the studio: the collaboration between client, architect, and the project team; and the interaction of materials, site, and experience. Their work focuses on thoughtfully designed residences, office, and retail spaces.
Rodríguez Studio’s architecture uses materials in compelling, inventive ways that are practical and transcendent.
Their work takes the particular constraints and limitations of each project to generate opportunities to create great architecture.
