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MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

This approximately 3300 square feet private residence is a gut renovation that com-bined two adjacent apart-ments for a family of four, including two children. It is located in a pre-war building in Midtown Manhattan, in the vicinity of Carnegie Hall. The existing building offered high ceilings with character-istic beams, spacious rooms but space distribution pre-sented a planning challenge. Despite high ceilings, the ex-posure to daylight is limited due to proximity and height of neighboring buildings. Thus lighting of the apart-ment became crucial aspect of the project.

The apartment is divided into two parts at the entry foyer with public side containing living, dining, kitchen, and guest bedroom on one side and private on the opposite side containing three bed-room and bathroom suites.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

The kitchen opens onto a combined living and dining rooms through an ecoresin translucent sliding wall. Framed in slender aluminum profile frames and engineered to conceal its guiding hardware, it quietly hovers over the floor without ever touching it.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

The 12 foot long sliding wall occasionally obscures the view towards the kitchen and is remi-niscent of curtains pulled down after a last scene of a masterpiece. It animates the public space and allows for its transformation.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

From the very first meeting with the clients their main and only request was to create a kitchen which would not only facilitate meal preparation, but provide setting for fam-ily life. As a result, this kitchen has become the focus of this residence both function-ally and architecturally. It provides theatrical setting, a stage, for family’s everyday life as well as special events, with drama of an open fire, contrasting wood backdrop and audience congregated at over 16 foot long straight island counter.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

Careful selection of materials palette accomplished a sense of refinement. The surfac-es “touch” each other while moldings, which “cover” those transitions, are eliminated.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

The palette emphasizes layers of contrasting surfaces while using light and dark materials, warm and cool colors, as well as smooth and rough textures.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

A long walk through the private quarters towards master bedroom suite is designed to become a gallery which gives an opportunity to feature artwork acquired by the family over the years. As one enters the master suite, softer light grazing the ceiling creates a zone comfort and serenity. Without pos-sibility of physical enlargement, master bathroom “borrows” space from the adjacent dressing area while creating a bright destination place.

Overall, the architecture of this residence introduces modern, open spaces and continuous flow into a rigid, traditional apartment layout and combines the two contradictions with mutual respect.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

Both children bedrooms received an illuminated and colorful wall opposite their beds. This “play” wall features bright-colored pinup boards to display their art work, while blackboard witch chalk rail allows them to learn and experiment without fear of ruining the apartment.

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

MIDTOWN RESIDENCE

LEWANDOWSKAARCHITECT PL

LC

Project Private Residence Midtown West, New York City

Architect Lewandowska Architect PLLC www.LewandowskaArchitect.com

Contractor McCormack Contracting

Sliding Wall PK-30

Resin Panels 3-form

Stone Slabs Stone Source

Porcelain Tiles Stone Source

Area 3,280 GSF

Completed December 2010