Restoration and extension to a historic townhouse

Cube | House
 

An addition blends traditional and contemporary styling

The Cube | House was a design-build collaboration between Palette Architecture and Grant Davis Thompson.  The client selected our team to renovate their 4-story historic single-family townhome because their ambition was to bring the original rowhouse detailing to life in a modern age.  Palette proposed to carve a 17-foot square hole into the rear wall of the building and insert a new 20-foot cube in the yard.  The architectural incision created a transitional space between the Greek Revival details of the main building and the free-plan of the garden level.  The resultant spaces enliven the interior and create a variety of places for activity on the exterior.
Project diagram showing extension in relation to the existing house
Full height glass wall at rear of The Cube, overlooking the landscaped rear yard
Shelves in the study
Study with restored ornamental trim

The Incision

A thin metal portal infilled with a delicate, gridded, glass wall marks the threshold between the traditional upper floors and the contemporary garden level. The details take cues from a 19th century Brooklyn building tradition and add character to the double-height space below. The glassy, veiled surface creates a place from which one can experience the traditional detailing in the context of a contemporary space.

Looking down towards the cube from above
Dining room, double height with skylight
Understair wine storage room

The Landscape

Natural light and manicured exterior spaces surround the cube-like extension. Opposite the veiled wall stands a tall glass facade looking upon a native landscape of grasses and shrubs. Nestled amongst the garden are several hidden seating areas and a patio for entertaining. The roof of the extension contains a large, asymmetrical, skylight that provides ample daylight in from a rooftop terrace above.

View of extension and rear yard, with contextual detailing
Inviting front yard with brick pavers and planters
Roof terrace located on top of extension
Restored street facade
Built in grill station, constructed out of matching brick

The Interior

A variety of exterior spaces lend to the unique character of each interior space. The Library overlooks the double-height dining room and receives borrowed light from the skylight above. The study connects to the terrace and encourages the homeowner to take their work outside and enjoy the garden sounds. The juxtaposition of light and nature becomes the defining feature of each room in the house.

Custom arcing handrail on custom balusters
Children's bathroom classic NY fixtures
Entry to the home

Drawings
Floor plan
Floor plan
  • Location Park Slope | Brooklyn, New York
  • Collaborators Design-Builder | Grant Davis Thompson
    Landscape Design | Isobel Herbold Design
    Structural Engineer | KCE Consulting Engineering
    MEP Engineer | Ramirez and Azadian Analyis and Design
  • Size 3,600sf
  • Status Completed | 2018
  • Photographer Emily Gilbert

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