FORT GREENE TOWNHOUSE

Location: Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
Program: Private Two-Family Residence
Project Scope:  3,000 SF Renovation
Completion Date: 2021

The owners of this historic townhouse on a landmarked block of Fort Greene had lived in their home for over twenty years when they decided to undertake a whole-house renovation. With two decades of life in this home behind them, the owners knew the building intimately and had very specific needs that they were trying to address with a transformation of the space.

The design found a balance between the preservation of the historic features of the townhouse and the addition of new, modern amenities and finishes. One of the main design focuses was to transform the parlor level, which was once primarily used as the main living and dining rooms, into a multifunctional space. This included relocating the kitchen from the garden level to the rear extension of the parlor, maintaining a living and dining room in the middle, and accommodating a painting studio in the front of the house to take advantage of the soft northern light.

Fort Greene Townhouse was a collaboration between Behin Ha and Suzumori Architecture.

To accommodate the storage needs of the owners, the kitchen is equipped with plenty of custom ash wood finish cabinets, mixed with contrasting black metal open shelving.

The insertion of the light-filled and spacious modern kitchen allows the owners to cook and enjoy informal meals in the southern light, while also having easy access to the living and dining spaces.

The basement was converted to dual Airbnb units, with future use as in-law units to house the owners' aging parents. The third floor was renovated for use by extended family in the near term and as a rental unit in the long term. A bathroom directly accessible from both the common hallway and the owner's duplex was created for one of the owners, an ER doctor, to be able to decontaminate before entering their living space. Exterior windows were replaced throughout the building and complies with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.

PROJECT TEAM:
Collaboration between Behin Ha and Suzumori Architecture
Contractor: Park Slope Painting Services LLC
Millworker: Pure Kitchen
Mechanical & Structural Engineer: LB Engineering PC

Photographs by Cheng Lin