Building of the Day: 94-102 Rutland Road

Highland Boulevard, historically known as the 'Gold Coast' of the Highland Park/Cypress Hills neighborhood in Brooklyn, features a collection of impressive mansions and distinctive turn-of-the-20th-century family homes. These residences were often built for successful German-American families, reflecting the prosperity of the era as evidenced by their monuments in nearby cemeteries. Among these unique properties stands 278 Highland Boulevard, a private house constructed before 1915 in the Arts and Crafts style. Although the original architect is unknown, records suggest Adam Wischerth may have been involved in its design. Adam Wischerth, a prominent local developer, builder, and occasional architect, had several ties to the area, including his association with Adolf Gobel, the "Sausage King of Brooklyn," whose factory Wischerth designed and built in Bushwick. Despite some historical ambiguity regarding his primary residence, evidence indicates that 278 Highland Boulevard was indeed Wischerth's home, with mentions of his wife hosting events there appearing in local newspapers. The house itself is a notable example of Arts and Crafts architecture, characterized by its substantial size and unique blend of materials. The exterior features a rustic aesthetic created by river rock, shingles, and Mediterranean roof tiles, presenting a striking contrast to the limestone mansions and Stick-style Victorians prevalent on the street. The design incorporates strong Prairie style influences, particularly visible in its window lines and front door, a theme extended to the small, matching garage. This eclectic combination of elements results in a cohesive and visually interesting structure. The property's large parcel of land enhances its distinctive presence on the block, providing a sense of isolation and allowing its architectural character to be fully appreciated. The interior design of the house, whether rustic or Colonial Revival, remains an intriguing unknown. Following Wischerth's ownership, the house became home to the family of Benjamin Berger, a clothing manufacturer, who resided there from at least 1924. Berger's dress factory was located nearby on Atlantic Avenue. Upon his death in 1932, his estate, valued at $92,000 during the Depression, secured his family's financial future, thanks to his substantial real estate holdings. Today, 278 Highland Boulevard continues to function as a single-family home, standing out as a stylistic anomaly within an architecturally rich and diverse neighborhood. The house offers potential views of East New York, extending all the way to the bay, further enhancing its appeal despite the presence of a chain-link fence, which is noted as the only disappointing element of the property. The entire block is considered worthy of landmark status due to its significant architectural and historical character. #HighlandBoulevard #ArtsAndCrafts #BrooklynArchitecture #AdamWischerth #HistoricHomes #ArchitecturalHistory #EastNewYork #CypressHills #PrivateResidence

The 'nieuw leyden townhouses' project, designed by Dutch practice 24H-architecture, is part of MVRDV's 'nieuw leyden' urban plan in Leiden, the Netherlands. This urban plan allows for the construction of 18 unique houses by various architects, without strict zoning limits or aesthetic regulations, requiring only adherence to a given building envelope. 24H-architecture contributed two sustainably-driven townhouses that exceed Dutch ecological standards. A distinctive feature of these townhouses is a central courtyard, referred to as the 'canyon,' which acts as a fissure running through the house. This design choice serves to illuminate all interior spaces, creating a comfortable living environment that benefits from natural solar heating. To maintain internal temperatures efficiently, the houses incorporate highly insulated walls and low-emissivity glass. Furthermore, solar water heating systems are utilized to reduce reliance on grid energy, emphasizing the project's sustainable approach. The front facade of the townhouses is a key characteristic, presenting an artistic composition of organically curved lines. These lines are crafted from FSC-certified louro gamela and jatoba wood planks, combined with corten steel panels. This combination not only creates a unique and aesthetically pleasing elevation but also highlights the use of sustainable materials. The interior design continues this focus on sustainable and natural materials, featuring bamboo parquet floors, bamboo window and door frames, and a back terrace decking made from the same material. The project demonstrates a commitment to sustainable architecture through its material choices and passive design strategies. The 'canyon' courtyard not only provides natural light but also contributes to the thermal comfort of the residents by maximizing solar gain. The use of FSC-certified wood and corten steel on the facade, along with bamboo interiors, underscores the architects' dedication to environmental responsibility and material innovation. The overall design prioritizes energy efficiency and a harmonious integration of natural elements into the living spaces. The townhouses, completed in 2011, have a floor area of 200 m² and 180 m² for the two private residences respectively. The project clients were Fam. van Dam – Lock and Fam. Blansjaar – Visser. The design team from 24H-architecture included Maartje Lammers, Boris Zeisser, Olav Bruin, Anja Verdonk, Albert-Jan Vermeulen, Yana Vlasova, Floor Kokke, and Valentine van Dam. This development exemplifies how architectural design can integrate sustainability and unique aesthetic expression within an urban planning framework. #NieuwLeydenTownhouses #SustainableArchitecture #24HArchitecture #GreenBuilding #LeidenNetherlands #UrbanPlanning #EcoFriendlyDesign #BambooInteriors #CortenSteel

RAAD Studio recently undertook the redesign of a luxury apartment located at 240 Centre Street, a Beaux-Arts style former police headquarters in New York City. The building, over 100 years old, was converted into 55 luxury condominiums in the late 1980s. This particular apartment, now showcasing RAAD Studio's vision, features a blend of classic grandeur and modern design. The most striking element of the redesign is found in the master bedroom, which incorporates one of the building's signature domes into its ceiling. This arched, original wood ceiling creates an impressive and unique focal point, enhanced by nautical-style windows carved into the canopy. The design includes wedge-shaped skylights, open wooden shelving, and contemporary built-ins along the room's lower perimeter, all contributing to an expansive and visually captivating space. Beyond the master bedroom, the loft maintains a distinctly modern aesthetic while thoughtfully preserving historical details. Exposed brickwork throughout the apartment serves to bridge the gap between contemporary design elements and the building's enduring classic charm. This contrast is particularly evident in the open kitchen, which combines a stone counter, sleek metal stools, and stainless steel appliances. To prevent an overly austere appearance, the kitchen incorporates staggered pendant lighting, rustic brick, and a built-in bench, which collectively soften the industrial edges and introduce warmth into the area. The redesign by RAAD Studio exemplifies how historical architectural features can be integrated with modern sensibilities to create a sophisticated and inviting living space. The project highlights a successful balance between respecting the building's heritage and introducing contemporary functionality and style. The transformation of this loft underscores the potential for creating arresting and functional interiors within historically significant structures. #RAADStudio #LoftRedesign #CentreStreet #PoliceBuilding #LuxuryApartment #BeauxArtsArchitecture #WoodenDome #Nolita #InteriorDesign #HistoricConversion

The article delves into the architectural history and evolution of the row house located at 129 Kane Street, on the corner of Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. This building, a part of the Cobble Hill Historic District since 1969, serves as a testament to the layered historical development of the neighborhood. The row of five houses, including this corner property, was constructed in the 1840s by William D. McCarty, a local auctioneer who undertook the project as a speculative development, never residing in any of the homes himself. The original architectural style of these houses is Greek Revival, a predominant building style of the era and notably common in Cobble Hill, indicating its status as one of Brownstone Brooklyn's older neighborhoods. The adjacent houses in the row still exhibit exquisite details such as elegant wrought iron railings and well-preserved dentiled cornices with their distinctive Greek Revival brick fascias, elements that frequently do not endure over time. Historically, the street was initially known as Butler Street when the house was built, later becoming Harrison Street, before finally being renamed Kane Street in 1928 in honor of James Kane, a local policeman recognized for his heroism. A significant alteration to 129 Kane Street occurred in the late 1870s or early 1880s with the addition of a storefront. This modification involved the removal of the house's original front entrance to create retail space, relocating the entrance to the upper floors to the side of the building. The façade of the newly added storefront was embellished with Neo-Grec detailing, reflecting the architectural trends of that period. This transformation coincided with a demographic shift in the neighborhood, as it transitioned from a community of merchant gentility to one housing multi-family residences for immigrant populations from various parts of Europe, including Sweden and Italy. The building and its neighboring structures along Hicks Street were notably spared during the construction of the BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) trench in the 1940s. However, the creation of the expressway profoundly impacted the streetscape and the overall quality of life in the area. In contemporary times, the storefront at 129 Kane Street has undergone further alterations and subsequent restoration. It no longer functions as a retail space, having been repurposed for residential use once again. The building features a distinctive paint scheme of green, burgundy, and cream, which is described as complementary to its overall appearance. This color palette extends to the boards and brackets of the bump-out oriel on the Hicks Street side. The Neo-Grec floral motifs and the scalloped pattern present on the store's cornice are highlighted, creating a visually striking effect. #CobbleHill #GreekRevival #NeoGrec #BrooklynArchitecture #HistoricPreservation #BuildingHistory #ArchitecturalRenovation