When Christa and Darren went looking for a new home to renovate in Jersey City, New Jersey, they were told to buy the one that nobody else wanted. After six months of searching, that’s exactly what they did.

The 1880s row house had a long list of reasons for being passed up including water and fire damage, rooms teeming with detritus left by the previous owners, a floor plan that had been chopped up beyond recognition, and additions that sagged off the rear of the building. But Christa and Darren had the proverbial ace in hand as the couple were teaming up with Mowery Marsh Architects for the remodel.

Before: Front Facade

After: Front Facade

Despite the home’s dilapidated state, architects Jennifer and Brian Marsh could see its potential, starting with the orientation on the lot. The rear faces south, so any interventions there would bring in nice natural light. Still, with a building footprint of 16 by 60 feet and it being four stories tall, getting sun into the narrow center of the home and into the front, north-facing rooms would be a challenge.

Their solution? To create a central, glassed-in courtyard on the top floor. Combined with new skylights positioned over the open-tread staircase and hallway “bridges” at each level, this allows light to filter down, deep into the core of the building.

Before: Entry

After: Entry

From the start of the design process, Christa and Darren had a strong modern aesthetic, says Jennifer, “but they also wanted the home to be comfortable for a family, keeping spaces open and not too fussy.” This manifested in a contrasting palette of black and white, specifically Benjamin Moore’s Mopboard Black and Chantilly Lace, dotted with cozy nooks and graphic moments: patterned wallpaper, geometric tile, a pop of color behind a cabinet door.

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

The architects high contrasts to balance intimacy and openness. A central wood core volume, stained black to match the Mopboard Black paint color, rises to connect the floors and conceals several utilitarian functions on the main floor, such as a mud room, pantry, and powder room.

“After the architectural elements were nailed down, it was time to address furniture and design elements that would keep the home kid-friendly without sacrificing a clean-lined and refined aesthetic,” says interior designer Elaine Santos, who chose comfortable furnishings, textures, and wallpaper throughout.

Before: Stairs

After: Stairs

During the process, Christa and Darren expressed interest in increasing the home’s energy efficiency. Thanks to triple-glazed windows and proper insulation and air sealing calculated by a building scientist, the architects were able to take that request even further. With solar panels on the roof and an ERV system conditioning the incoming air, the home has achieved Net Zero Certified Passive House status.

“The ERV brings in clean, fresh, filtered air, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And with the air sealing, you’re blocking out all the soot and the dust from the city, so you have a really pristine indoor environment,” says Brian. “We tell people about that and they’re like, ‘Well, who doesn't want that?’"

Before: Rear Parlor

After: Kitchen

Perhaps even more unexpected is how the improved shell creates an oasis of peace and quiet in the middle of the busy city. “It makes for this very cocoon-like space,” says Jennifer. “It’s like a sanctuary.” Adds Brian: “When Christa and Darren go on vacation, they can’t wait to come back home.”