
Upper West Side ComboModern Home Office, New York
The owners of this prewar apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wanted to combine two dark and tightly configured units into a single unified space. StudioLAB was challenged with the task of converting the existing arrangement into a large open three bedroom residence. The previous configuration of bedrooms along the Southern window wall resulted in very little sunlight reaching the public spaces. Breaking the norm of the traditional building layout, the bedrooms were moved to the West wall of the combined unit, while the existing internally held Living Room and Kitchen were moved towards the large South facing windows, resulting in a flood of natural sunlight. Wide-plank grey-washed walnut flooring was applied throughout the apartment to maximize light infiltration. A concrete office cube was designed with the supplementary space which features walnut flooring wrapping up the walls and ceiling. Two large sliding Starphire acid-etched glass doors close the space off to create privacy when screening a movie. High gloss white lacquer millwork built throughout the apartment allows for ample storage. LED Cove lighting was utilized throughout the main living areas to provide a bright wash of indirect illumination and to separate programmatic spaces visually without the use of physical light consuming partitions. Custom floor to ceiling Ash wood veneered doors accentuate the height of doorways and blur room thresholds. The master suite features a walk-in-closet, a large bathroom with radiant heated floors and a custom steam shower. An integrated Vantage Smart Home System was installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades using iPads.
What Houzz contributors are saying:

The search for a great chair should be twofold. Get a chair that is a) comfortable and b) stylish — something practical and beautiful that you will want to spend hours in, because you will.

Installing the unit's centralized air conditioning — making it the building's first and only centralized unit — posed a challenge for Miller. He says, "The condo board scrutinized us for the central AC installation. We hired an acoustical engineer to analyze the noise impact and a structural engineer to analyze the vibration." Also, coordinating the AC installation without actually seeing the condenser units (hidden in one of the kids' rooms) proved challenging. "But we're really happy with the end result. The AC is quiet, and the hidden linear diffusers out of where air spills out aren't the least bit intrusive," says Miller. Here, a horizontal ceiling slit in the home office gives the only visual cue of the diffuser.
What Houzzers are commenting on:

Office. Would be great with shelves and storage on the back wall. Another pic with pocket doors closed.

Installing the unit's centralized air conditioning — making it the building's first and only centralized unit — posed a challenge for Miller. He says, "The condo board scrutinized us for the central AC installation. We hired an acoustical engineer to analyze the noise impact and a structural engineer to analyze the vibration." Also, coordinating the AC installation without actually seeing the condenser units (hidden in one of the kids' rooms) proved challenging. "But we're really happy with the end result. The AC is quiet, and the hidden linear diffusers out of where air spills out aren't the least bit intrusive," says Miller. Here, a horizontal ceiling slit in the home office gives the only visual cue of the diffuser.

StudioLAB
Beverly Wright-Juste