A thorough transformation of a Landmarked 1870's townhouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for a prominent international family's use as their New York City residence. The project is currently in construction with an anticipated completion date in 2014.

With the original interior of the house chopped up into seventeen apartments over the past 150 years and the original structure sagging beyond repair, entirely new construction is inserted into the existing building footprint. Beyond a meticulously restored historic facade, are approximately 9,000 sf of new living space, with a seventy foot long living, dining, and entertaining space on the parlor level. A new glazed penthouse with access to a plated roof is added at the top of the building.

The project includes a full-height extension at the rear of the building with an entirely new masonry and glass skin that is unapologetically modern but respectful of the existing material and geometry of the surrounding brick and brownstone buildings. The facade is comprised of a custom extruded and shaped glazed terra cotta rain screen with an undulating texture. Working closely with Boston Valley Terra Cotta, we are developing a production method for the terra cotta rainscreen that is at once fully bespoke and artisanal in its nature, while thoroughly parametrically generated and produced. The terra cotta skin is will also contain an aeroponic vertical garden incorporating a range of native New York State flora, some of which is endangered due to loss of habitat.

Normal Projects is also developing the interior design of the project with a palette of fumed oak, statuary bronze, silver travertine, and cast concrete, as well as a custom molded glazed terra cotta in the double-height rear-stair hall.

The townhouse will also feature a site-specific work by Sarah Oppenheimer, currently in development.