Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck.

After- Bathroom

Matt Wier

Victorian School Refurbishment. A bedroom and ensuite bathroom in a Victorian school conversion in SE1, London, have been transformed into beautiful spaces with an internal Crittal partition separating the two. Client Julia Feix Location Bermondsey, London Status Completed Photography Simon Maxwell

Jasper Sinadad

Arch-Interiors Design Group, Inc.

The house was built in the early 80's and is located west of Mexico City. The remodeling made by Claudia Lopez Duplan was a total renovation of both space and image. In addition to interior and exterior renovation, major changes were also made in all the facilities, especially for the unification of the public areas. The house is divided in three and a half levels. In the intermediate floor the number and proportion of windows was increased to take advantage of views to the forest and gain entrance of natural light. There was also a total change of the window screens to integrate the terraces and open areas to the interior of each space maintaining a bond with all the services. All the spaces were unified using a limited selection of materials. In the interior engineer wood floors and light marble were combined, and for the kitchen it was used granite in the same shade. In the exterior all the floors and part of the wall are covered with dark gray stone. In the interior design the ladder – that gives access to the public and private areas of the house - is the central axis. All the walls around it were removed to integrate all the spaces. In the living room the generous existing height was used to play with the plafonds and the indirect lighting, enhancing the deep sensation of the space and highlighting the artwork. The private areas are located at the top floor in which large windows were also incorporated to make the most of the views. In the master bedroom the window is framed by a bookcase designed specifically for the needs of the space that enhances the view and makes it cozier. The bathroom is a large space from which you can also enjoy spectacular views; the washbasin was located at the center. Significant changes were made on all the facades, from structural changes to the incorporation of new finishes for the renewal to be perceived from the entrance. In the gardens surrounding the house a complete transformation project was also done respecting an existing large tree that sets the tone for the new image.

Building Design, Plans (in collaboration with Orfield Drafting), and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder & Creative Collaborator : Anchor Builders I Photographer: sethbennphoto.com

Travis Baker, Twist Tours

Fotos: Markus Altmann©

Photography: www.michaelwoodall.com Styling: Amy Denny, Alpentile

The Women's bath features a barrel vaulted ceiling that floods the space with natural light while maintaining privacy and a custom made wooden tub that serves as the focal point of the space.

Witte

This sixth floor penthouse overlooks the city lakes, the Uptown retail district and the city skyline beyond. Designed for a young professional, the space is shaped by distinguishing the private and public realms through sculptural spatial gestures. Upon entry, a curved wall of white marble dust plaster pulls one into the space and delineates the boundary of the private master suite. The master bedroom space is screened from the entry by a translucent glass wall layered with a perforated veil creating optical dynamics and movement. This functions to privatize the master suite, while still allowing light to filter through the space to the entry. Suspended cabinet elements of Australian Walnut float opposite the curved white wall and Walnut floors lead one into the living room and kitchen spaces. A custom perforated stainless steel shroud surrounds a spiral stair that leads to a roof deck and garden space above, creating a daylit lantern within the center of the space. The concept for the stair began with the metaphor of water as a connection to the chain of city lakes. An image of water was abstracted into a series of pixels that were translated into a series of varying perforations, creating a dynamic pattern cut out of curved stainless steel panels. The result creates a sensory exciting path of movement and light, allowing the user to move up and down through dramatic shadow patterns that change with the position of the sun, transforming the light within the space. The kitchen is composed of Cherry and translucent glass cabinets with stainless steel shelves and countertops creating a progressive, modern backdrop to the interior edge of the living space. The powder room draws light through translucent glass, nestled behind the kitchen. Lines of light within, and suspended from the ceiling extend through the space toward the glass perimeter, defining a graphic counterpoint to the natural light from the perimeter full height glass. Within the master suite a freestanding Burlington stone bathroom mass creates solidity and privacy while separating the bedroom area from the bath and dressing spaces. The curved wall creates a walk-in dressing space as a fine boutique within the suite. The suspended screen acts as art within the master bedroom while filtering the light from the full height windows which open to the city beyond. The guest suite and office is located behind the pale blue wall of the kitchen through a sliding translucent glass panel. Natural light reaches the interior spaces of the dressing room and bath over partial height walls and clerestory glass.