East Village Apartment
East Village Apartment by Lang Architecture embodies artistic character and individuality, uniting two former apartments into a single residence that honours the building’s Art Deco heritage.
Drawn to the elegance and geometry of the building’s 1920s origins, the owners wanted their New York home to feel timeless rather than nostalgic or overly referential. “We focused on proportion, subtle curves and material continuity to echo the building’s heritage while keeping the palette restrained and the spaces open,” says Drew Lang, founder and principal at Lang Architecture.
Calm yet energetic, the home reveals its details with intention.
Central to the redesign was the challenge of merging two once-separate flats into a cohesive whole. “A visitor would be hard-pressed to recognise that the apartment was ever divided, as the transitions are seamless and the design language is consistent throughout,” Lang says.
A defined entry was a key part of the brief. Lang and the team responded by creating a striking hallway lined with bespoke oak millwork that conceals storage. Beyond the threshold, the kitchen, living and dining areas unfold in an open-plan sequence designed for both entertaining and everyday family life. An intimate den sits adjacent, enclosed by glass doors that allow for flexibility without sacrificing cohesion. Calm yet energetic, the home reveals its details with intention.
Throughout each space, the pared-back material palette is expressed with finesse. White oak floors, panelled walls, cabinetry and doors bring warmth and continuity to almost every room. In the primary ensuite, a shower lined in blue quartzite introduces a striking point of difference within the otherwise neutral palette. Curved edges, plaster cove ceilings and rounded window jambs lend an understated softness, aligning with the home’s history while reinterpreting it for modern living. “They shape the overall experience of the space,” Lang says, “and contribute significantly to the apartment’s cohesiveness and calm atmosphere.”
For Lang, the design process was shaped by the clients’ collaborative spirit and the home’s design vocabulary. “We studied the building’s Art Deco detailing and proportions, as well as the original apartment’s layout,” he says. “At the same time, we listened closely to the clients and how they imagined living in the space. The design evolved from that intersection, respecting the architectural language of the building while adapting it to contemporary life.”
With plans already underway to further expand the residence, the project is set to incorporate another adjoining flat on the same level. “It’s always rewarding to continue a relationship and build on an already thoughtful foundation,” Lang says. The clients’ commitment to quality ultimately elevated the process, resulting in a home that honours its 1920s heritage while feeling both considered and enduring.
