Entry

The firm tucked an entry bench into the curved wall to create an easy spot for taking off shoes by the door, then lined the passageway with shelves. A curved bench under the stairs creates a nook.

Glass and open spaces keep the interiors bright and airy.

Although the original interior walls had to be removed to add insulation, Sandy had the new brickwork painted white to match. The kitchen/dining area flows into a sunken lounge, with salvaged tile flooring giving way to concrete.

Juxtaposition of the old and new at the apartment entry

The original structure was built by relatives in 1979.

Etch Light by Tom Dixon provides an elegant, sculptural contrast against a board-formed concrete wall.

The designers/owners kept the home's original Arts and Crafts style posts.

Aaron Schiller provided the shou sugi ban louvers that enclose the dining space and create privacy from the entry path.

Steel-framed openings create new views into the historic garden.

With an assist from preservation expert Lotte Van Hemelrijck, architect Thomas van Looij led the restoration, which included refinishing or replacing a wall of sun-damaged Wenge wood panels.

The commodious living room features soaring ceilings that are over 12 feet high.

Near the front door, charred oak treads float on a blackened steel stringer to the master suite and on to the roof.

Starting with the front hall, the architects opened up the enclosed stairwell and utilized a lighter palette to bounce natural light around. White walls, concrete floors, and minimal trim produce a streamlined backdrop.

Updated siding and new windows create a cohesive exterior look.

Glass windows help connect the entrance foyer to the street outdoors.