Barr Residence

The Barr Residence stands out like a shiny penny as one of the lone residences on an industrial block near the Gowanus Canal. The home’s hand-finished, patinated steel façade tips in and out, undulating as it climbs toward the sky and echoing the industrial character of the neighborhood.

Tickets: Purchase Now
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009
Partner: BKLYN DESIGNS

The reconstruction of the property, by Coggan + Crawford Architecture Design and Giancola Contracting, included an ENERGY STAR-rated design—it uses 30% less energy than a comparable building—and a conversion into front and rear duplex units. This was accomplished by cutting a courtyard into the space, providing light and air to both units. In contrast to the gritty exterior, the interior court is finished in white and aluminum panels, reflecting light into the interior spaces.

Inside, remnants of the building’s previous incarnation, an electrical warehouse, shine through the sleek finishes. Old bin numbers remain intact, spray-painted on the brick walls of the first floor, while the original pine subflooring on the second level has been refurbished and patched to new gleaming glory.

Similarly, the Barr’s décor is a mix of spare modern meets renaissance warehouse. Metal baking racks house books and multimedia, pots and pans hang like artwork against the bricks in the kitchen.

The open floor plan begs use for large dinner parties and the spacious 1,000 square foot roof deck with its recycled-tire decking plays host to summer evening soirees.