Urban Townhouse by Peter Gluck & Partners Features a Dazzling Water-Cut Rainscreen

Strolling through the historic neighborhoods of New York City, one can't help but take a peek inside the glowing parlor floors of the beautiful brownstones lining the quiet streets. This <a href="http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/urban-townhouse/14862/" target="_blank">Urban Townhouse</a> designed by <a href="http://www.gluckpartners.com/mainframe.html" target="_blank">Peter Gluck and Partners</a> is a cozy home that certainly doesn't fit the mold of brick, mortar, and stone - instead it features a dazzling patterned rain screen facade that provides privacy for residents while adding beauty to the streetscape.

The owners of the townhouse were most concerned with what most people living in New York want: privacy and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight" target="_blank">natural light</a>.

The giant loft like spaces run the entire length of the 38 foot deep building.

An enormous four floor book shelf also hugs the front wall, connecting the open spaces and displaying the owners incredible literature collection.

The front facade of Urban Townhouse is unlike any other on the block. Water-cut <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainscreen" target="_blank">aluminum rain screen</a> is speckled with dark brick to echo the neighborhood's traditional aesthetic. Tiny horizontal punched out glass openings weave across the front while two tall windows flank the home's core, providing a gentle visual barrier between buildings.

While the bedrooms inhabit the upper levels, the public areas including the kitchen, living room, and dining room are connected by an open <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezzanine" target="_blank">mezzanine</a> level toward the back of the home.

The home's unique design pushes the elevators and stairs up against the front wall, creating a visual barrier and large open loft spaces for all five stories.

The rear of the townhouse is the antithesis to the extremely private front. Entirely glass, the home's back walls allow natural light to bathe almost the whole interior.

In the evening, the warm glow from inside the home gently illuminates the rear garden. Stretched far behind the city streets, this is the most private area of all.