Hicks Street House

This house and its neighbor are the two oldest standing houses in Brooklyn Heights. They were constructed in 1810 with a court between them that gives access to a landlocked lot in the middle of the block. Collaboration at all levels was important: the adjacent neighbor on the court, the neighborhood association, the community board and the city landmarks commission. The footprint of the original building measured just 20′ x 25′. A dilapidated single-story extension was removed to allow for a new 2-story addition at the rear. The challenge in designing this addition was to minimize its view from the street and maintain the prominence of the restored historic house. The addition is setback behind a covered porch facing the courtyard, which masks its volume. A winding circulation path through the house connects living spaces at each floor, balancing privacy and unity for this tight-knit family.