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As if carved out within the walls of the warehouse [1], the Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse is truly inspiring and innovative. The block long warehouse, although converted to lofts, had very few options for architectural variation other than open, dark spaces. The interior living quarters [2] are placed within the warehouse shell, while a three story segmented “hole” (basically the inverted shape of a townhouse) is glassed in to provide the residents with sky light and organized outdoor space.
The three story glass curtains flood the loft with light and are divided into various “gardens.” A reading court is sectioned off for quiet contemplation, an exterior terrace gives a backyard feel, and a playroom gives the client’s children a place to play in fresh air, while also protected within the home. The walls of the “outdoor” spaces are lined with large weathered Cor-ten steel [3], a material that emulates the timeless public artworks around Lower Manhattan and also offers stability and texture to the outdoor areas.
The courtyard is lined with silicone-glazed glass, flooding the interior with light, but also preventing solar gain. The glass courtyard reaches up to the roof, where it meets a roof garden. The Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse is one of the most innovative redesigns for a loft space that we’ve seen yet.
Via Arch Daily [5]
images © Paul Wharton via Dean/Wolf Architects
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