Clinton Hill Townhouse
In this Clinton Hill townhouse, a custom-built sauna isn’t a luxury add-on but the cultural and conceptual heart of a home shaped around wellness, craft and connection to nature.
Designed by Yun Architecture’s Susan Yun and Felix Ade, this four-storey Brooklyn residence transforms an historic brownstone into a calm, sustainable home. Drawing inspiration from the clients’ Finnish heritage and their appreciation of Asian art and design, the project carefully balances environmental performance with preservation.
“The inclusion of a sauna on the garden level of the house was a necessary programmatic requirement for the clients,” Ade says. Rather than opting for an off-the-shelf solution, the sauna’s aspen wood was sourced from a friend based outside Helsinki, who then fabricated and shipped it to New York where it was installed by a Finnish millworker. “Throughout the entire process, the clients found ways to include their homeland, both symbolically and literally,” he explains. Beyond its cultural significance, the sauna reinforces the home’s focus on wellness, supporting relaxation, sleep and overall wellbeing.
That extends well beyond a single room. The brief called for a home that reflected both northern European sensibilities and a reverence for nature. “The clients wanted their home to reflect their Northern European roots, placing an emphasis on Finnish products, accessories and art, as well as their appreciation of Asian art and design,” Yun says. “Shintoism – the ancient Japanese practice that centres one’s connection to nature – greatly informed our design approach.”
Central to the redesign is a sinuous staircase that curves upward beneath a new skylight – one of the project’s most significant structural interventions that connects the home to nature.
These influences can be seen in both the layout and materiality. Wood and natural stone create a calm backdrop for an extensive art and design collection. “We really wanted their collections to be naturally woven into the fabric of the home,” Yun explains. “On an upper floor, there is an Iria Leino [artwork] in a reading nook, Lee Bae sketches in the primary bedroom and collectible design from Finnish legends such as Alvar Aalto and Tapio Wirkkala displayed in a custom designed oak cabinet.”
Central to the redesign is a sinuous staircase that curves upward beneath a new skylight – one of the project’s most significant structural interventions that connects the home to nature. “An enlarged elliptical skylight over the stairs brings light deep into the centre of the house,” Yun says, “and a birch tree planted in the roof garden, visible through the skylight, reinforces that connection to nature.”
“The final project marries old and new in a very satisfying way, all while eliminating fossil fuels and ensuring a continuous flow of filtered fresh air.”
At the rear, the architects opened up the parlour level with a large glass window and sliding door, extending the kitchen with a terrace and garden beyond. The move strengthens the relationship between inside and out while allowing daylight further into the home. Small details throughout also emphasise a connection to nature, with the Finnish birch leaf integrated in the parlour’s custom plaster crown moulding, and tilework in the primary bathroom that mirrors the pattern of bamboo. Meanwhile, in the den, an elevated tatami area further prioritises meditation and rest.
The duo were able to achieve this incredible level of openness and clarity within a landmarked structure while also meeting rigorous Passive House standards. “Thankfully, we were able to make all of these adjustments while still remaining in line with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission,” Ade says. High-performance insulation, triple-glazed windows and a dedicated fresh air system ensure environmental performance, while traditional detailing maintains continuity with the building’s historic Italianate character. “The final project marries old and new in a very satisfying way, all while eliminating fossil fuels and ensuring a continuous flow of filtered fresh air.”
Throughout, the atmosphere remains restful and restorative. “Serene, elevated and intentional; minimalist yet warm,” Yun says. “We really sought to create a space that was both elegant and connected to the natural world.” In the end, the project’s success lies in its clarity and meaningful connection to the clients’ heritage, creating a sense of home as a place of nourishment and renewal.
