The Family Room

The project is a vertical addition to a hundred year old two-story brick building. Formerly a warehouse and then an artist’s loft, it’s now a bright, multigenerational home for a creative mother, her twin boys, and their grandfather. By adding a new level to the building, they were able to create separate rooms for everyone and bring in more light, openness, and flexibility to suit their growing needs. The new third floor establishes a clear material and stylistic contrast with the existing brick. At the same time, the addition becomes the final piece that completes the building. The street facade is covered with thin vertical steel fins that provide privacy while on the south facade, horizontal fins regulate sun exposure, and large glass doors connect the children’s playroom to a rooftop garden extending the play space into the outdoors.