The Architect Is In: A New York Remodel by Way of Belgium - Remodelista
This week the Architect Is In marks its second year anniversary, and our first participant... Photography by Hidenao Abe. ...Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory), returns to talk about another New York project–this time a 770-square-foot duplex in a West Village townhouse built in 1817. In this instance, the international client lived overseas during the entire process... ...and asked Matiz to effect an extensive renovation–and to collaborate on the cabinetry and metalwork with Brussels-based designer Nathalie Goris (who had worked on previous jobs for the owner). The renovation of the duplex involved switching the levels of the public and private spaces:The monochromatic open living area is now directly below the open sleeping area upstairs. Belgian designer Nathalie Goris acted as the client’s representative and laid out the brief for the project. Flax Five Light, designed by Christien Meindertsma in The building’s original ceiling beams and exposed brick were painted white and the wide-plank flooring was whitewashed to make the small space feel larger by maximizing the light. The palette also provides a neutral backdrop for the client’s art collection, including a black-and-white image of a woman painted on a wood pallet by XOOOOX. An array of Coral and Tusk’s embroidered linen cushions animate a white sofa by Flamant that the client brought from a previous apartment. A Moroccan pouf introduces a concentration of rich colors and textures in contrast to the minimalist background. On the bedroom floor, another set of stairs leads to the rooftop, which is phase two of the project. The stair treads are made of white oak and each has a hidden, sandwiched-in plate of steel to provide support as it cantilevers off the stair stringer. The textured walls of the bathroom have a tadelakt finish, a traditional Moroccan plaster treatment that involves lime plaster hand polished with olive oil soap and rubbed with river stones. The sink and countertop are also tadelakt; the work was done by Sobro Studio, a company in New York that specializes in plaster finishes. The crisp profile of Hansgrohe faucets contrast with the intricate inlays on a vintage mirror from India. A black metal tie, part of a structural support for the masonry walls, is left exposed to tell a story about the history of the building. The duplex occupies a historic West Village townhouse; the second floor is devoted to living spaces and the third floor to the bedroom. A section of the duplex details the progression from living room to bedroom to roof. Prior to the renovation, the living room and kitchen were on the top floor, above the bedroom. By inverting the living room and bedroom, the designers were able to open up the spaces and get rid of doors and walls that had been installed for privacy.