Designers build a unique home in the heart of Manhattan which features more outdoor than indoor spaces
Architects take up the tough challenge of creating the ultimate penthouse in a peaceful environment amid the urban jungle of New York
Say the name Manhattan, and images of bright lights and tall buildings come to mind. But the lush greens of a manicured lawn? That's something one can only dream of having in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
Yet this is exactly what architects Steve Blatz and Antonio Pio Saracino achieved with a penthouse loft located in the heart of Manhattan and one of New York City's trendiest neighbourhoods, TriBeCa.
Working according to their client's request for "a place that would be unique, have an abundance of outdoor space and be suitable for entertaining as well as for quiet contemplation", the designers set out to "create an urban, modern, sophisticated Manhattan apartment filtered with nature against the views of the chaotic urban jungle of New York City".
"We wanted to create a unique apartment that would express the dichotomy today in Manhattan - where the distinctions between indoor and outdoor spaces are blurring with nature, and vice versa," the designers say.
To bring their vision to life, a complete reorganisation of the penthouse space was required.
"Contrary to what most people would do," Blatz says, "we actually reduced the space inside to maximize the outdoor [area] and create a really wonderful relationship between the two."
It was no easy feat. To accomplish their goal, the building envelope and all systems had to be completely redesigned to integrate a stringing connection to the outdoors, Saracino says.