East Village Apartment by GRT Architects
East Village Apartment by GRT Architects is an extensive renovation of an existing dwelling in a storied Manhattan building known as Onyx Court. The building’s heritage held great appeal, however, the clients engaged GRT Architects to conceive a series of interventions in the pursuit of improved programming and increased access to natural light.
Originally designed in 1902 by architectural firm Harde & Short, the building has a romantic history as the home of opera singers, Oscar-winning composers and other creative types. These accounts, alongside the building’s turn-of-the-century disposition, were a source of inspiration, and GRT Architects’ response is grounded in a deep respect for the existing.
The changes in layout encompass a series of clever edits and extrusions that ultimately enhance the human experience of this compact space. Firstly, the original corridor jutted out to the right, unsettling the entry sequence and disrupting sightlines. GRT Architects straightened this walkway by reducing the size of the guest bedroom and adding built-in joinery along the southern elevation. The pleasing by-product of this change is a sense of fluidity and uninterrupted sightlines running the length of the apartment from the front door to the east-facing kitchen window. Forgoing some circulation space also allowed the architects to add a powder room and extra storage without compromising on the quality of the spatial experience – no small feat in a tight apartment condition.
Secondly, relocating the kitchen from deep in the plan to the front and creating an open-plan living and dining area is a triumph. Not only has it allowed for an intimate primary suite at the rear, but it’s resulted in a generous space for cooking, hosting and relaxing at the apartment’s eastern tip. Here, these spaces are gently delineated by materials and architectural elements, resulting in an effortless flow; for example, checkerboard tiles map out the kitchen’s perimeter, a linear brass pendant and decorative parquet denote the dining space, and an alcove marks a subtle but notable transition between the dining and living areas.
This apartment exudes an upbeat and characterful sensibility that is both fitting for its East Village locale and complementary to the building’s heritage. Punchy colours bring a playful edge tempered just so by white oak joinery and brass detailing, and curved elements and rounded openings in thick plaster walls celebrate the building’s quirks. These details converge in a space that is visually exciting but ultimately highly pragmatic, arguably the fundamentals of any great New York City abode.
Architecture by GRT Architects. Engineering by Old Structures and ANZ Engineering.
