NYC Residential Renovation

This project was designed while at CookFox Architects. It is an interior renovation of the first LEED certified residential high rise in the United States.

I was fortunate enough to join the team early on in the design phase and see it through to the completion of construction documents. This meant I was responsible for a wide range of tasks from designing and rendering bathrooms, kitchens, and common spaces for client meetings to documenting plans, elevations, details, and specifications for our bid set.

The clients for this project, as is clear from the building’s reputation, are forward-thinking developers who care about ecological issues and with that tasked us with maintaining a high level of sustainability for the renovation.

The scope of the project included renovating all 298 units, the lobby, amenity spaces, and communal terrace on the 19th floor. As it was an existing building, much of the design work done for the apartments included changing the materiality, and in some cases, layout, of bathrooms and kitchens throughout.

The ground floor, on the other hand, received a slightly larger design change with the introduction of new amenities including a communal lounge and T.V room, a Chef’s kitchen, and a stroller room. Existing amenities, including a fitness center and playroom, were to be renovated.

Ground Floor Plan showing the proposed design for the renovated lobby, fitness center, lounge, playroom, and storage room — **Ground Floor Plan** showing the proposed design for the renovated lobby, fitness center, lounge, playroom, and storage room

Rendering of the chef’s kitchen, one of many ground floor amenities provided for the residents — **Rendering** of the chef’s kitchen, one of many ground floor amenities provided for the residents

Rendering of a model sales unit prepared for the clients — **Rendering** of a model sales unit prepared for the clients

Construction Document showing three kitchen elevation types out of a total of 29 different kitchen types throughout the building — **Construction Document** showing three kitchen elevation types out of a total of 29 different kitchen types throughout the building

Construction Document showing bathroom vanity plans, elevations, and sections — **Construction Document** showing bathroom vanity plans, elevations, and sections

Rendering of the “hybrid” bathroom type, which was to be used as a guest bathroom when applicable — **Rendering** of the “hybrid” bathroom type, which was to be used as a guest bathroom when applicable

Rendering of a master plan bathroom type — **Rendering** of a master plan bathroom type

Rendering of the En Suite bathroom type, used for secondary and children’s rooms — **Rendering** of the En Suite bathroom type, used for secondary and children’s rooms

The fitness center renovation was one of the bigger changes to the project’s current state. With a lot of mechanical equipment above it, the challenge became finding ways to make the space more open and inviting, as well as adding some warmth to it.

With an increasing importance given to healthy living and biophilia, the idea that humans feel better when they have a connection to nature, the intention was to combine the concepts of a fitness and wellness center. To do this, we expanded the entry and replaced it’s original storefront. We then introduced light wooden paneling to make the space warmer and more inviting.

A powder room was added as well as a water station with storage for towels and other hygienic products to give the gym an intimate feel unique to the building.

Enlarged plan of the updated fitness center layout and design — **Enlarged plan** of the updated fitness center layout and design

Rendering of the newly designed entry to the fitness center. Unlike the current condition, the new storefront design allows for transparency into the fitness center which makes the space feel more open. — **Rendering** of the newly designed entry to the fitness center. Unlike the current condition, the new storefront design allows for transparency into the fitness center which makes the space feel more open.

Rendering of the fitness center entry. A water station promotes wellness and gives the center a warmer feel. — **Rendering** of the fitness center entry. A water station promotes wellness and gives the center a warmer feel.

Rendering of the main fitness area with newly introduced wooden panels to give it a warmer look. — **Rendering** of the main fitness area with newly introduced wooden panels to give it a warmer look.

Rendering of the fitness studio used for private classes and training sessions. The studio serves to give users a soothing space with natural materials that give them the feeling of a connection to nature. — **Rendering** of the fitness studio used for private classes and training sessions. The studio serves to give users a soothing space with natural materials that give them the feeling of a connection to nature.

Construction Document showing the newly introduced wood paneling in the lobby. — **Construction Document** showing the newly introduced wood paneling in the lobby.

The lobby received a major material pallet change. The existing condition had outdated wooden paneling and materials that no longer felt welcoming. To stay consistent with our biophilia concept, we took inspiration from ship building methods and materials. Walnut panels line the walls with subtle curves at the corners reminiscent of meticulous detailed ship construction. Customized screens were also designed to create spaces and give relative privacy. The screens were designed with subtle curves in textured glass and brass and became a symbol introduced throughout the building, as can be seen in the elevator cab rendering. The lobby desk and seating area then bring in earthy and blue tones to make the lobby a welcoming and pleasant space to inhabit. A mail transaction table is integrated to give residents a space to sort their mail and check monitors for building updates.

Rendering of the lobby seating / waiting area with a custom designed screen used to enforce the ship construction concept — **Rendering** of the lobby seating / waiting area with a custom designed screen used to enforce the ship construction concept

Rendering of the renovated elevator cab interiors — **Rendering** of the renovated elevator cab interiors

Rendering of the renovated lobby design which replaces the original maple wood paneling with a darker walnut — **Rendering** of the renovated lobby design which replaces the original maple wood paneling with a darker walnut

The building’s corridors proved to be a big challenge. With low ceilings and long expanses, they tended to be quite dark and unwelcoming. To deal with these issues, we designed new entry doors that extended to the ceiling, introduced wooden paneling to give warmth, replaced the wall paper with a lighter color and some movement, and added wooden frames throughout the hallways that served to break up the lengthy expanses. Language from the lobby is reintroduced in the corridors with wooden paneling in the elevator vestibule and a custom light fixture inspired by the screens.

Rendering of a typical residential corridor elevator vestibule. — **Rendering** of a typical residential corridor elevator vestibule.

Rendering of a typical residential entry door. — **Rendering** of a typical residential entry door.

Rendering of a typical residential floor corridor. Light wallpaper helps brighten the currently dark, long hallways. — **Rendering** of a typical residential floor corridor. Light wallpaper helps brighten the currently dark, long hallways.

Construction Document showing the fitness center elevations — **Construction Document** showing the fitness center elevations