The project is the finish out of a 2300sf shell space in the King William Lofts, a conversion of a turn of the century industrial complex in the middle of the King William Historic District.
The owner is a business executive and collector of cutting-edge contemporary art who wanted a space that would allow him to display his growing collection and reinforce its impact. He also wanted a home with the quality of a retreat for relaxing between his frequent business trips.
The lower level contains a space for entertaining—its public character underlined by a large, uncovered steel window that opens onto a breezeway and gives a full view of the space to passersby. This level also contains a full kitchen reconceived as a minimal island. A suspended cabinet above displays glassware and other s.
The stair to the upper level begins as an enclosed stair; at the first landing, a tiny powder room is tucked behind a glazed door. The landing is expanded as a mezzanine, overlooking the lower space. This space serves as the Owner’s home office.
The stair then continues as an open steel structure which flies above the lower level. The upper level contains two linear suites—one containing living, media, guest bedroom and bath; the other, the master bedroom, bath, dressing and utility areas. The living area contains a second satellite kitchen/bar, this time designed as a single run of low cabinets
The bedrooms are separated from the other spaces by glazed pivot doors which are designed to be left open most of the time. The guest bedroom is really only an alcove—both the bed and the closet are custom-designed built-ins.
The master bedroom suite is anchored on either end by unusual spaces—on one by a bath with a large steam shower and soaring mirror and cabinetry, on the other by a large dressing room with a mirrored wall and door
The color scheme for the unit is universally white for the walls, floors and ceilings. The art provides the color accents as do several color “episodes” conceived by the architect—the chartreuse of the spiral stair to the roof deck and of the glass tile in the shower floor and bench, the orange walls of the powder room and the apple green of the daybed in the guest alcove.