Reviving the Past: The Tribeca Loft Transformation

Andrew Franz Architect PLLC's Award-Winning Loft Redesign Blends History with Modernity

The Tribeca Loft, a residential apartment, is a unique reinterpretation of an 1884 warehouse. The top floor and roof of the warehouse have been transformed into a warm and inviting residence with a fluid connection to the outdoors. The loft's unique properties include a relocated mezzanine, an interior court with a retractable glass roof, and a new green roof garden. The design embraces the industrial past of the building through a visual discourse between new and old, using modern materials alongside restored or reclaimed materials from the loft.

The design was realized with a focus on eco-friendly, healthy, and low-maintenance living. Reclaimed or locally sourced materials were used throughout the loft, including wood floors, oak for the cabinetry, baseboards, and door frames, and reclaimed bluestone pavers on the rooftop terrace. The green roof garden features a majority of native plant species that require little water while insulating the environment below. New ultra-efficient mechanical systems were also employed.

The loft's design was guided by the goal of creating a light-filled home with a sense of calm and retreat. The space was transformed by relocating the mezzanine to the south end where the ceiling height is greater. This allowed for the creation of an interior court which exposes the sky and brings light and accessible outdoor space into the loft below. The new floor plan contrasts the open, flexible living areas with private bedrooms and bathrooms in the rear of the loft.

The project, located in New York City's landmarked Tribeca North area, started in July 2011 and was completed in July 2013. The design process involved a thorough survey of the site conditions, including the history of the building, and a close collaboration with the client to understand their needs and user patterns. Multiple options were explored, considering program, site, and user experience, and engineers and consultants were engaged early on to ensure building systems were fully integrated into the design.

The Tribeca Loft was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

With its unique blend of history and modernity, the Tribeca Loft stands as a testament to the transformative power of design. It is a shining example of how a space can be reimagined to create a warm, inviting, and eco-friendly home that celebrates its past while looking towards the future.