Concrete Townhouse

Our intent was to create a building that offered a strong sense of mass and unity for which cast in place concrete was the material of choice. The window openings on the street facade further stress this perception but also introduce a changing rhythm which in turn blurs one’s understanding of the building’s program and floor distribution. The building is experienced as a monolithical object with facade materials limited to concrete and window openings framed with solid bronze plates. Because this is a two family home, we had the opportunity to compose the façade using a variety of window openings, different in size and proportions thus blurring the lines of its occupancy and because of the scale variation with neighboring buildings, invite passer byes to consider the evolution of this neighborhood but also of architecture itself within the span of a century. An important criteria when designing this project was to fully integrate the current urban renewal of this neighborhood and provide a positive outlook on contemporary architecture. In other words allow the introduction of a surprise in the urban fabric, which is also what New York can be about.