The Story of the Salt Shed

The article announces the progress of the Spring Street Salt Shed project, located at the intersection of Canal Street and West Street in New York City. The author notes the demolition of a one-story brick building that previously occupied the site, making way for the new 6,300-square-foot salt storage facility. The facility, also referred to as the Canal Street Salt Shed due to its proximity to Canal Street, is under construction. The article highlights that despite potential concerns about the location for this facility and the adjacent NYC Department of Sanitation Garage, both structures are anticipated to be aesthetically pleasing. The design for the Spring Street Salt Shed is provided by Dattner Architects. Their website describes the structure as nearly 70 feet tall, situated along the Hudson River. It is designed to house 4,000 tons of salt. The architectural rendering depicts a crystalline structure with faceted planes that are intended to visually enhance its reinforced concrete enclosure. A notable design feature is the structure's taper towards the bottom, which aims to increase pedestrian space, and its rise from a 'glazed moat' that will be illuminated at night. The Salt Shed's solid, crystalline form is intended to contrast with the more diaphanous, scrim-like facade of the Manhattan 1/2/5 Garage located directly across Spring Street to the north. The project's completion was projected for 2014. A point of inquiry raised by the author concerns the entry and exit points for trucks accessing the facility. An attempt to contact the Department of Sanitation for clarification was made, but no response was received at the time of publication, humorously attributed to the department's busy schedule during the winter. The article includes several renderings from Dattner Architects that illustrate the proposed appearance of the Spring Street Salt Shed from various angles. The comment section reflects diverse public opinions on the project. One commenter, 'Rohin,' sarcastically questions the cost of such an architecturally elaborate facility for salt storage, likening it to a 'miniature Sydney Opera house for salt storage.' Another commenter, 'Downtowner,' raises concerns about the location's vulnerability to flooding, recalling Superstorm Sandy, and questions why the design was not revised after the storm. This commenter also points out that the 4,000-ton salt pile will be open to the elements from the street, raising fears of a 'catastrophe.' 'Jim Smithers' notes the shed's location above Canal Street, suggesting it's not strictly within Tribeca, and humorously proposes adding commercial establishments like a Shake Shack or Soul Cycle on its roof. A final commenter, 'mike,' disputes the 'Downtowner's' concerns, questioning how a concrete structure full of salt could suffer a catastrophe from a superstorm, implying the commenter is not a civil engineer. #SpringStreetSaltShed #DattnerArchitects #NewYorkCityConstruction #UrbanPlanning #ArchitecturalDesign #InfrastructureDevelopment #PublicWorks #NYC DepartmentOfSanitation

Manhattanites Jennifer and Derrick Miller sought a weekend retreat where their future children could experience country life. They discovered a 1,000-square-foot saltbox-style beach house on Long Island's North Fork, which they immediately fell in love with. The property's charm was further cemented by an exterior plaque reading 'The Miller,' revealing its historic landmark status and previous ownership by the town miller, Lazarus Manley. Jennifer, a classically trained architect and owner of Vaughn Miller Studio, embarked on a mostly cosmetic refresh of the home after purchasing it. She spent three years painting nearly every surface, excluding salvaged unpainted paneling from a Naval ship, with Benjamin Moore's 'Super White' to create a crisp, sophisticated aesthetic. A soft gray trim color was used for subtle contrast, transforming the cramped rooms into an airy, open space. The living room, despite its premium on square footage, efficiently showcases found art, including seascapes, still lifes, and oil portraits, on its walls. A neutral Belgian linen sofa provides a relaxed contrast to the couple's city furniture and allows the artwork to be the focal point. Functional small-space solutions include a task light, a folding table, and a tufted ottoman that doubles as extra seating. The kitchen features exposed wood salvaged from a ship, a nod to the home's waterside location. Jennifer kept these elements intact while making budget-friendly updates such as repainting lower cabinets, installing stainless-steel shelves, and replacing faux granite countertops with Ikea butcher block. A brass pendant, also salvaged from a shipyard, anchors the space, and a landscape oil painting above the sink offers a 'makeshift view.' Jennifer, an avid collector, stores her pieces in a glass-encased living room cabinet, including a large Champagne bottle found at a garage sale. The narrow 28-inch-wide hearth in the fireplace area is accessorized with scaled-down topiaries and candlesticks, complemented by an oil portrait. In the entryway, a wild boar sculpture named Elsie, one of the couple’s first purchases for the house, presides over the daughter's piano performances. The master bedroom, initially upstairs, was moved downstairs for easier access to the pea gravel patio after the children are asleep. White linens on a white iron bed and a Lucite nightstand enhance the airy feel of the room. The kids’ suite upstairs features a wrought-iron canopy bed that complements the steep-pitched ceiling, accommodating the need for larger beds for children, which antique beds often lack. A charming dress rack and French bulldog art adorn Tallulah’s corner in the kids' area. To maximize the 1-acre lot, a dilapidated backyard shed was converted into a shingled, multi-use space, serving as an office, art studio, guest quarters, and playroom. #SaltboxHome #HistoricRenovation #CoastalCharm #SmallSpaceDesign #InteriorDesign #CountryLiving #Hamptons #HomeTour #DIYHomeImprovement