This project involved renovating an existing landmarked row house on Astor Street into a family residence with a garage at the back.

The major design challenges included the garage, finding space for bedrooms for a growing family and bringing natural light into a narrow and completely landlocked site. In order to accommodate the garage, the rear of the house needed to be raised a half story higher than the existing front façade and first floor. To resolve this elevation change, we designed a central atrium and light well off of which the house changes from front to back in half story increments like a London townhouse. This space serves as the major feature of the house both in terms of circulation and architectural interest. All of the major spaces flow directly off of the stair volume and tie the house together vertically. It also brings large amounts of natural light down into the house.

Mobarak Living Room02Living Room Greg Murphey