Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

The Architect Is In: Making the Most of Your Floor Plan

Search

The Architect Is In: Making the Most of Your Floor Plan

February 2, 2013

Over the last 20 years, New York-based firm Platt Dana Architecture has developed a reputation for transforming traditional buildings and apartments into spaces oriented around contemporary family living. This week, Kate Platt and Hope Dana talk to us specifically about their update of a classic, prewar eight-room apartment for a busy family of five on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The most satisfying architecture delivers elegant design solutions without ever appearing as if it’s tried too hard. Trading space and light as currency, Platt Dana Architecture (members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) are well practiced at “robbing Peter to pay Paul” in the floor plans of their clients’ apartments, ensuring that the flow of rooms addresses the way they live. In this classic eight, a family room was gained through the loss of a bedroom (in turn, a small office behind the kitchen was converted into a guest bedroom), while the kitchen was made bigger by acquiring the space from the adjacent study. Borrowed light flows freely through the enlarged openings among the entry foyer, kitchen, living room, and newly positioned dining room, creating an overall generous sense of open and free-flowing space. And finally, by filling every available nook and cranny with well-designed, efficient storage, the architects manage to squeeze out even more precious space; leaving their clients with a healthy “space” account in the black.

Photography by Ty Cole.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 3

Above: Glass mosaic tiles from Cheryl Hazan Mosaic set a calm tone in a busy kitchen. Stainless steel counters sit above white kitchen units from Bulthaup while a Calacatta Marble countertop is used for the kitchen island.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 4

Above: By acquiring space from the adjacent study, the kitchen gained a window and light as well as space. A pendant light by Niche Modern hangs above an Eero Saarinen table surrounded by Norman Cherner chairs.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 5

Above: A view from the kitchen of the family room, which was previously a bedroom. The cabinets, custom designed by Platt Dana, house the television and centralized sound system and are horizontal grain oak with a white stain.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 6

Above: A muted palette of grays, selected by interior designer Debra Notis, works well with the Korean landscape paintings that represent the four seasons and presented to the client by her parents as a wedding present. An Arctic Pear chandelier from Ochre hangs above the dining table and chairs from B&B Italia. The living room sofa is also from B&B Italia while the textured side table is from Oly.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 7

Above: For the musical family, the piano occupies an important corner of the living room in front of a wall of custom built bookshelves and storage.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 8

Above: The two boys in the family share a room; made feasible through the custom-built storage and desk system, which is mirrored on the other half of the wall.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 9

Above: In the master bedroom, a built-in desk system fits into the window alcove. “Our client hates clutter, and so we designed a desk where most of the countertop opens and reveals hidden storage for makeup and jewelry as well as electrical outlets for charging iPhones and a hair dryer,” says Dana.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 10

Above: A mosaic tile installation by Cheryl Hazan brings blossoms in to the bathroom shower.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 11

Above: The kitchen before Platt Dana incorporated the space and window from the study next door.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 12

Above: The previous dining room was next to the kitchen and has now been converted into a family room.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 13

Above: A view of one of the bedrooms before the Platt Dana renovation.

The Architect Is In Making the Most of Your Floor Plan portrait 14

Above: A comparison of the existing and revised floor plans illustrate Platt Dana’s skill in updating a floor plan for modern family living. The updated floor plan has a stronger diagrammatic clarity between public and private space and as a result, the public spaces have a more coherent relationship with enhanced flow between the spaces. A new family room is adjacent to the kitchen while the dining room has been repositioned to sit directly across the kitchen via the entry foyer. The kitchen has gained space and light by acquiring both from the adjacent study, and the office tucked in the back has been turned into a guest bedroom. A laundry room and additional storage have been carved out of the family room and their location in the hall makes them easily accessible.

N.B.: Useful and efficient storage has unlimited value in our modern culture of accumulation. See 420 images of Cabinets in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

(Visited 275 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0