Templer Townhouse
5,000 SF
New York, NY

The design attempts to adapt a multi-family townhouse into a single family residence. This is achieved through 3 fundamental changes:

One, the typical townhouse stair has been rejected in favor of a more compact winding stair located directly behind the street facade. At the top of this new stairway is a large skylight. In this way, natural light will filter into rooms that would otherwise have never received sunlight, being on the north side of the townhouse. In addition, all floors now have more unencumbered floorplates for planning freedom.

Second, the master bedroom suite is the full floor of a new rooftop addition. The new suite takes full advantage of the natural light, garden views and open planning possibilities. It is also the conclusion of the new stairway/skylight via the bathroom vanity's glass wall.

Third, all the common spaces will reconnect to the garden space through a new double height glass wall. The virtual space of the living/dining rooms will be expanded to the furthest end of the garden. The floor of the living room has been cut back from this glass wall to allow a greater shared space inside as well as views of the willow tree in the garden from the kitchen.

Vestigually, the third and fourth floors will contain private bedrooms. A workroom/library on the same levels are integrated into the stairway design by a gangway and balcony structure.