MKCA Gave This Neo-Grec Brownstone Row House A Contemporary Update

July 3, 2018

Michael K Chen Architecture (MKCA) have completed the contemporary renovation of a landmarked but badly degraded 1879 Neo-Grec brownstone row house, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. #Renovation #Townhouse #RowHouse

 

Michael K Chen Architecture (MKCA) have completed the contemporary renovation of a landmarked but badly degraded 1879 Neo-Grec brownstone row house, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York.

 

In this entry vestibule, ornamental motifs like the egg and dart molding and V-groove cuts taken from the facade, become folded and pleated surfaces, executed in cnc milled wood. #Vestibule #InteriorDesign #CeilingDetail


In the foyer, there’s a simple sitting area next to a fireplace. Windows that look out onto the street, fill the space with natural light.


In this contemporary foyer, there's a simple sitting area next to a fireplace. Windows that look out onto the street, fill the space with natural light. #SittingRoom #Foyer #Fireplace


The foyer opens up to one of the staircases that connects the multiple floors of the townhouse.


This contemporary row house has open areas that allow light through from the upper levels. #Stairs #InteriorDesign


Adjacent to the foyer, is the kitchen. A large island has accompanying Vintage Danish stools in vegetable tanned leather from Wyeth, while the white cabinets have been paired with wood for a contemporary appearance.


In this modern kitchen, the large island has accompanying Vintage Danish stools in vegetable tanned leather from Wyeth, while the white cabinets have been paired with wood for a contemporary appearance. #Kitchen #ModernKitchen #KitchenDesign


Located off to the side of the kitchen are doors that lead to an outdoor space. A 35 foot tall vertical garden, designed in collaboration with SUNY conservation botanists, has been built as part of the building facade. The planter elements were slip cast in custom plaster molds, using a zero-waste process, and are host to a series of rare plant species from the Hudson Valley.


This row house has a custom 35 foot tall vertical garden built into the facade. #GreenWall #VerticalGarden


The terra cotta rear facade is accented by aluminum window trims with integral Juliet balconies that emphasize the depth of the facade and frame oversized windows and patio doors.


The terra cotta rear facade of this row house is accented by aluminum window trims with integral Juliet balconies that emphasize the depth of the facade and frames the oversized windows and patio doors. #Facade #RowHouse


Back inside, the rear staircase is clad in glazed terra cotta tiles and is comprised of travertine block, with an undulating and braided bronze railing. The “Dyade” pendant light hanging above the stairs was designed by Julie Richoz.


This modern staircase is clad in glazed terra cotta tiles and is comprised of travertine block, with an undulating and braided bronze railing. The “Dyade” pendant light hanging above the stairs was designed by Julie Richoz. #Stairs #Staircase #Tiles #Railings


The stairs link the kitchen with the formal dining room above. In the dining room, custom dining room chairs by Christopher Kurtz, have been paired with a vintage dining table by Poul Kjaerholm, and a custom Seed chandelier by Bec Brittain.


In this contemporary dining room, custom dining room chairs by Christopher Kurtz, have been paired with a vintage dining table by Poul Kjaerholm, and a custom Seed chandelier by Bec Brittain. #DiningRoom #RoundDiningTable #Lighting


This entire floor was opened up to create a single space for large scale entertaining and family use. At the opposite end of the open room is the living room, that furnished with a custom sofa and Pyrex table from KGBL, an Edward Durrell Stone bench, and armchairs by Jens Risom. A custom silk carpet was designed by MKCA and executed by Tai Ping, and a custom fireplace mantel has been made from Danby marble.


This contemporary living room is furnished with new and old pieces, while a custom fireplace mantel has been made from Danby marble. #LivingRoom #InteriorDesign #Fireplace


Off to the side of the living and below the stairs, is a sculpted writing desk and chair in ebonized ash by Christopher Kurtz, and floor knolls by Dana Barnes.


Sitting below these contemporary stairs with hidden lighting, is a sculpted writing desk and chair in ebonized ash by Christopher Kurtz, and floor knolls by Dana Barnes. #Stairs #Desk #Sculpture


Upstairs, the master suite occupied the entire third floor, which features white oak flooring throughout (except for the bathroom). The bedroom features a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in Montclair striato marble and bronze, while another custom silk carpet by MKCA covers the floor.


The bedroom features a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in Montclair striato marble and bronze, while a custom silk carpet covers the floor. #Bedroom #Fireplace #Wood


The walk in closet has minimalist oak paneling and doors, and a floor to ceiling mirror reflects the light throughout the space.


This modern walk-in closet has minimalist oak paneling and doors, and a floor to ceiling mirror reflects the light throughout the space. #Closets #InteriorDesign #WoodFlooring


The master bath is clad in imperial Danby marble and white Venetian plaster. Clear glass surrounds the shower, while opaque glass houses the toilet.


This modern master bath is clad in imperial Danby marble and white Venetian plaster. Clear glass surrounds the shower, while opaque glass houses the toilet. #ModernBathroom #MasterBathroom #Marble #Vanity


A soaking tub by Boffi is outfitted with Waterworks taps, while a pendant light by Michael Anastassiades, hangs above it.


In this modern bathroom, a soaking tub by Boffi is outfitted with Waterworks taps, while a pendant light by Michael Anastassiades, hangs above it. #Bathroom #ModernBathroom #BathroomDesign


A screen of carved fumed oak and glass separates the main stairs and master dressing room.


A screen of carved fumed oak and glass separates the main stairs and master dressing room in this contemporary house. #WoodScreen #Screen #ModernScreen


The main stairs lead from the master bedroom up to the fourth floor, home to three bedrooms.


These modern wood stairs have an undulating and braided bronze railing. #Railings #BronzeRailings #Stairs


The stairs travel further up to the top interior floor of the townhouse. This floor is home to a library with a bar area, and a bedroom suite.


This modern house features a white oak floor throughout, and a home library provides a quiet place to relax. #HomeLibrary #WoodFloors #Windows


A brushed granite bar and fireplace with faceted geometries anchors the library, where custom lacquered steel shelves, designed by MKCA, are featured on both walls.


A brushed granite bar and fireplace with faceted geometries anchors this contemporary home library, where custom lacquered steel shelves are featured on both walls. #HomeLibrary #Bar #Shelving #InteriorDesign


Also on this floor is a bedroom suite, with the bedroom and a study linked by a pocket door. A gradient Aurora wall covering from Calico unifies the two spaces.


This modern bedroom suite, has the bedroom and a study linked by a pocket door. A gradient Aurora wall covering from Calico unifies the two spaces. #GradientWallCovering #Bedroom #Wallcovering


A structural steel plate stair links the library to the roof terrace above.


A structural steel plate stair links this modern library to the roof terrace above. #SteelStairs #Staircase


On the roof terrace, formed aluminum planters allow indigenous New York State plants to spill out in between the concrete pavers. The roof terrace is also home to a lounge and a separate outdoor kitchen with a dining space.


On this modern roof terrace, formed aluminum planters allow indigenous New York State plants to spill out in between the concrete pavers. The roof terrace is home to a lounge and a separate outdoor kitchen with a dining space. #RoofTerrace #Rooftop


To understand the layout of the townhouse, here’s a look at the floor plans.


To understand the layout of a contemporary New York townhouse, here's a look at the floor plans. #FloorPlans #Townhouse

Architecture and Interior Design: Michael K Chen Architecture | Structural, MEP, and Facade Engineering: Buro Happold | Landscape Architecture: Local Office Landscape Architecture | Lighting Design: Brian Orter Lighting Design | Preservation Consultant: Prudon and Partners | General Contractor: IA Construction Management