Among traditional rowhouse buildings and new condominiums in Brooklyn, New York, Williamsburg Townhouse by Brent Buck Architects is a space of respite within the city’s bustle.
Brent Buck Architects were tasked with the brief to redesign a townhouse for a creative couple who love to entertain family and friends while also having a place to slow down and spend time together. The approach from the outset was to get to know the client extremely well so that their lifestyle could ripple throughout every detail in their home.
“Our clients are a young couple; she is a designer, and he is an avid hobbyist woodworker — they came to our studio asking for the project to utilise wood and brass and unique ways,” Brent Allen Buck says, founder of his namesake studio. “They articulated their ambitions for the project, and we gave them some homework, which was to speak with a handful of architects to test if we were a good fit… thankfully, it turned out we were,” he adds.
Montclair Danby marble is used throughout the kitchen, with an Ingo Maurer pendant hanging above a soapstone mantel.
The historic façade was stabilised and faithfully restored; the additions, clad in copper and lime-washed brick, subtly set it apart from the surrounding red brick buildings. Inside, guests are greeted with a polished plaster sculptural stair that rises to the rooftop, offering clear views of New York City’s iconic skyline.
“The plaster-clad stair which connects all levels of the home presented a unique challenge on many fronts and was largely built on site,” Buck recalls. “Curves were worked and reworked until eventually, our plaster sub-contractor pulled a solid plaster profile along the entire top of the railing to memorise the geometry and created an oculus for a skylight over the stair,” he says.
Materiality throughout is honest and enduring, with a focus on reclaimed heart pine, unlacquered brass and Venetian plaster that is finished with wax. Reclaimed from a nearby 1850s Brooklyn building, the heart pine beams were used for windows, millwork, flooring, decking, and, of course, used as structural joints in the new portions of the home. “The kitchen showcases the character and colour of the material,” Buck adds.
Nail holes, discolouration, and checking remain a reminder of past use, while a graphic Vermont Marble elevates the bathrooms and kitchen island for contemporary life. Paying homage to the classic details found on many New York Streets, cast glass vault lights are embedded in the rear yard, illuminating the cellar level below.
One of the most remarkable pieces in the home is a brass bathtub in the primary suite. While the homeowners had initially requested a stone tub, which turned out not to be feasible, the design team pivoted towards a custom-made, unlacquered brass tub that ended up being much lighter and more efficient.
“Threads of our work include the unique application of daylighting, the use of domestic hardwoods, and the design of almost every piece of hardware,” Buck continues. “The project gave us an opportunity to reinvent reclaimed building materials in a holistic way.”
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a sinuous staircase that ascends through the full length of the townhouse, offering views at the top of New York’s iconic city skyline.
A sculptural Vitra Akari pendant light is a focal point in the tonal bedroom.
In the combined primary bedroom and bathroom, a brass bathtub exists on axis with a barrel-vaulted hall.
