A Creative Townhouse Renovation Captures Sunset Park s Eclectic Flavor JPDA s sustainable design creates a unique home mirroring the Brooklyn neighborhood s historic diversity and continuing cycles of reinvention. New York 68 Jay Street, Suite 213 Brooklyn, New York 11201 USA London National House, Third Floor 60 Wardour Street London W1 0TA, UK NEW YORK, New York June 2010 Artist Peter had enjoyed living and working in Sunset Park for a number of years before the dilapidated townhouse up the block was put on the market. His daily walk across the avenues was an inspiring cross-cultural immersion en route to his waterfront studio space in the historic Bush Terminal industrial buildings. With two centuries of influx by waves of Irish, Scandinavian, Polish, Hispanic, Gujurati, and Chinese immigrants, Sunset Park has a rich history of heterogeneous communities in constant evolution. Each period has left its imprint on the neighborhood, which is reflected in the diverse architectural styles of the institutions, monuments and housing stock. Peter s partner Julia travelled extensively for her documentary film projects, and appreciated the neighborhood s unique mosaic of global cultures and historic Brooklyn row houses. With plans for a family increasingly imminent, the townhouse s additional bedrooms, outdoor space and proximity to the park precisely met Julia s criteria for a homestead. Reflecting its transitional South Brooklyn neighborhood surroundings, this derelict two-family townhouse attracted the couple with an eclectic collection of original details peeking out through layers of quirky patchwork and decay. Yet years of deferred maintenance had left the structure in need of a complete overhaul of both infrastructure and interior finishes. Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture (JPDA) developed a design sensibility which would juxtapose renovation, restoration and modern insertions alongside isolated moments of a preserved texture of decay. An unsentimental history of the house and neighborhood would be foregrounded in the combination of old, new, gritty and polished. Preserved molding, woodwork and parquet floors were updated with modern open spaces, new built-in millwork and appliances, eclectic tile and wallpapers, and complemented by Peter s art collection and site specific lighting installations. Where floors were repaired and walls removed, contrasting wooden patches preserve a record of the architectural evolution of the house. The realities of 21st century home life directed a complete reworking of the room layouts to create an open kitchen and dining area, additional bathrooms, a home studio as well as a precisely engineered concealed editing suite. An imaginative reworking of the garden level s antique woodwork allowed that floor to be retained as a separate rental unit, with a new rear deck and stair providing owner s access to the rear yard. A focus on sustainability includes the extensive reuse and repurposing of on-site materials and existing elements such as doors, trim and millwork. The updated infrastructure features a new high-efficiency HVAC system as well as a rooftop solar photovoltaic array. Enlarged windows, new skylights, and recycled glass wall partitions flood natural light into the bedrooms, living and work spaces. About JPDA Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture is an interdisciplinary practice incorporating architecture, interiors, digital media, branding, and experience design. JPDA creates people-centric experiences that touch users with authentic, innovative and memorable interactions. For more information, visit www.jpda.net. Press Contact Sean Karns, Design Director sean@jpda.net +1 718 852 2650
An ash wood portal frames the enlarged opening to the main staircase and foyer. The living room juxtaposes restored woodwork with custom shelving and a re-purposed door used as a coffee table.
The dining room features new suspended wall cabinets and the artist s own work hung in front of a preserved wall stripped of years of paint and wall treatments.
A discreet cabinet door opens to provide access to a full editing suite tucked away behind the main hallway millwork.
The open kitchen and dining area features new cabinetry, appliances and handmade tiles with restored woodwork details and parquet flooring. A wood-framed recycled glass partition brings natural light into the editing suite beyond.
A dramatic skylight in the master bath showcases the original roof joists and floods light onto the fixtures and concrete tiles below.
The townhouse facade was restored to its original color and finish.