SoHo Loft by Shapeless Studio

Brooklyn-based architecture and interiors practice Shapeless Studio has transformed a loft in downtown Manhattan into a tranquil apartment.

Housed within one of SoHo’s iconic cast-iron and masonry buildings, which stand as lasting emblems of the neighbourhood’s industrial past, the dwelling sensitively combines the structure’s heritage with a newfound contemporary identity. Though the compact space required extensive work to enhance liveability and improve the spatial arrangement, Shapeless Studio ultimately sought to respect the building’s history and retain its original features. “The entire apartment was rebuilt during the renovation, and every detail was considered to maintain the feel of the authentic New York artists’ loft,” says architect Andrea Fisk.

“The entire apartment was rebuilt during the renovation, and every detail was considered to maintain the feel of the authentic New York artists’ loft,” says architect Andrea Fisk.

Several prominent features nod to the building’s heritage, including the original cast iron structural columns, exposed timber structural beams, lintels above the windows and cedar flooring. However, Shapeless Studio has employed colour and texture to brighten up the space without tarnishing its character. For instance, the brick perimeter walls have been finished with a natural limewash “to neutralise the colour and make the space feel clean and bright,” says Fisk, and the cedar flooring has been coated with a heavy-duty white paint. Moodier tones like dark taupe and charcoal have been used in the bedrooms and bathrooms, offsetting the neutrality and suggesting a slower, more intimate tempo in the private areas.

The floor plan works hard to achieve many things. A wall of windows runs along the main elevation, bathing the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with natural light. The bathroom is tucked behind the kitchen joinery and there are two bedrooms; one adjacent to the living area and another on a mezzanine level accessed by a sculptural, spiral staircase. “One of the challenges during the renovation was determining the best way to allow fresh air and natural light into the lofted space and the bedroom, since these spaces don’t have their own windows,” says Fisk. In response to this, Shapeless Studio designed a series of custom, operable oak windows and doors with linen curtains which allow for access to natural light and ventilation when open yet complete privacy when closed.

Though SoHo’s iconic structures hold a certain gravitas, converting them into inviting and pragmatic homes is a considerable challenge. Shapeless Studio has successfully balanced this building’s grandeur with a sense of warmth and serenity, delivering a generous and contemporary home that defies its footprint and centuries-old bones.

Architecture and interior design by Shapeless Studio. Construction by JAN Renovations. Structural engineering by KTA Engineering.