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Sarah Rhoads

Sarah Rhoads

New York, NY, US

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Upper West Side Duplex Apartment Combination


Combination and renovation of two duplex apartments on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, completed in 2020, with Ben Herzog Architect, PC.

This 3 bedroom duplex apartment was previously 2 adjacent duplex apartments with lofted bedrooms in a very unique Landmarked building.  The unusual structural scheme of the building (an enormous concrete encased truss spanning two floors) presented many challenges and shaped the layout of the new apartment and the location of its central stair and hanging walkway to the lofted bedrooms.

The apartment is centered around a double-height living and dining space, with tons of storage and a cozy office tucked under and around the stair.  The west wing houses the kitchen on the lower level, and a (pink!) bedroom, bathroom and closet suite at the upper level.  The east wing includes the master suite on the lower level, and a third bedroom, bathroom and laundry room above.

The exposed structural steel of the stair components, which was cleaned and polished to a jewelry-like satin finish with a household staple: white vinegar, ties the whole apartment together.  The lofted bedrooms have steel interior windows facing the double height living space.  Gorgeous brass light fixtures and wood cabinets bring warmth to the space that compliments the dark industrial steel.

 
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Status: Built
Location: New York, NY, US
My Role: I worked on all aspects of this project from schematic design through permitting and construction as Project Architect, working closely with the Interior Designer (Julia Conti), Contractor, consulting engineers and clients.
Additional Credits: Julia Conti, Interior Designer at Ben Herzog Architect
D'Huy Engineering, Inc., Structural Engineer
Interboro Property Management, General Contractor