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All points considered
All points considered from Home & Remodeling volume 2604
The owner of this inner-city residential loft is the CEO of a glass, metal and plastic recycling company. Already running a business that acknowledges the planet's dwindling resources, he took things a step further – relocating his family from the suburbs to avoid wasting time and energy in a long daily commute.
With such a strong green focus, it is not surprising that the client asked architectural firm WXY for an eco-friendly, sustainable approach to the loft remodel. The refit reflects his ideals in several ways, says director Claire Weisz.
"In the first instance, sustainable loft design means creating efficient living spaces that won't have to be reconsidered later," she says. "Here, this meant restoring the loft's open form – removing walls to expose the central axis of riveted steel columns. We had to make sense of the space, configuring layouts and choosing materials that would create a healthy, energy-efficient home. Now, the new kitchen acts as a focal hub and anchors the interiors."
Naturally, materials used in the project have a high recycled content – up to 100% in some cases. For example, the new Eco-cem floor tiles are made from compressed concrete and paper. This product is softer than ordinary concrete and has improved acoustic properties."
An important aspect of eco-conscious design is reducing the role of air conditioning and the part it plays in the extraction of dirt from the air. To limit this energy usage, wipe mats were embedded in the Eco-cem flooring that help maintain a particle-free atmosphere.
"To reduce the use of air conditioning in keeping spaces cool over the shoulder seasons, we introduced tilt-and-turn windows for cross-ventilation," says Weisz. "Triple glazing was installed to help control temperatures in the more extreme summer and winter months and these also contribute to noise control – always a factor in the inner city. Solar blinds and ceiling fans also help keep temperatures comfortable inside, with the fans strategically positioned to maximise the benefits of cross ventilation."
Lighting was another key design aspect. Originally used as a storage space, the north-facing loft did not have much light penetration. To redress this for residential purposes, LED lights were placed in front of the blinds to give the impression of additional natural light. Preconfigured lighting scenarios were designed to ensure only the lights required for a specific ambiance or function are drawing power.
"The new kitchen was central to the project," says Weisz. "This helps organize the open-plan spaces and is itself a model of green design."
Manufactured from 90% reused materials, the cabinetry is also emissions-free. A built-in recycling system – trash compactor, compost and glass and paper recycling – is set in a way that encourages daily use.
A tree at the heart of this remodeled loft symbolizes the green approach by architects WXY. A mesh screen at the entry offers spatial division and acts as a privacy wall when lights are played on it.
Behind the banquette seating, a mirror bounces light deeper into the interior and reflects the media room from the living areas.
The dropped ceiling delineates the kitchen area and allows for low task lighting.
Moving from a suburban house to an inner-city loft meant ample storage was required. A wall of storage cabinets behind the kitchen is faced in acoustically superior panels, made from cork and finished in fabric. Every aspect of the fit-out optimizes control of light and sound. Doors to the media room are in glass to maximize light flow through the home, and at the same time, provide acoustic separation.
As with the rest of the loft, most materials in the bathroom have an eco-friendly composition. The shower stall is made from compressed recycled glass and the vanity top and white tiles also boast a high recycled content. Frosted glass on the bathroom door and a large vanity mirror help draw light into this internal space. Large bathroom tiles were chosen to match the tone of the Eco-cem flooring.
Credit List
Architect
:
Claire Weisz AIA, WXY Architecture (New York)
Interior decorator
:
Mark Golderman
Doors
:
Mood series with aluminum frames, Light Oak finish and translucent glazing, from Resdoor Company
Windows
:
Casement with aluminum frames and insulated low-E glass, from Panorama Windows
Flooring
:
Eco-cem fiber cement board floor tiles made from cement and recycled wood pulp in Windsor Grey from Coverings Etc
Wall coverings
:
Bollywood fabric series in Salette Grey from Knoll, Track-Tex panel system with acoustic fill from DFB Sales
Paints
:
Super White, Coventry Gray, Wenge by Benjamin Moore
Lighting
:
Edison Price; Nulux; Io Lighting; Lutron
Home audio
:
Designed and installed by HiFi Dan Home Theater & Design
Blinds
:
Lutron Sivoia QED shade mechanism; Sol-R-Control Series from DFB Sales, XL1277 Grey in main space, XL2005 Charcoal in media room
Stainless steel mesh screen at entry
:
GKD Metals
Recessed walk-off mat at entrance
:
Pawling EM-800-BF in 519 Near Black with aluminum hardware
Countertops
:
Cristalite Titanium quartzite from Valcucine
Sinks
:
Steeltime main sink, Blanco island sink, both in stainless steel from Valcucine
Faucets
:
Polished chrome Meta.02 series by Dornbracht
Oven and microwave
:
Wolf
Cooktop and ventilation
:
Gaggenau
Refrigeration
:
Refrigerator-freezer by Sub-Zero; wine refrigerator by Liebherr
Bathroom vanity
:
Custom in CaesarStone
Basin
:
Ladena in white by Kohler
Faucets
:
Tara Classic in polished chrome by Dornbracht
Shower floor and walls
:
Crystal series Penny Tile in Water by Ann Sacks
Flooring
:
Ozone series metallic porcelain tile in Silver by Ann Sacks
Furniture
:
Sofas by Catherine Memmi; lounge chairs, CH445 wing chair by Hans Wegner; Smoke coffee tables by Marcel Wanders, from Cappellini; rugs by Ruckstuhl; Cubica club chairs by Lievore Altherr Molina; Dizzie dining table by Lievore Altherr Molina; Bluezone Slim dining chairs by Kristalia; LEM Piston barstools
Story by Charles Moxham
Photography by C Albert Vecerka/Esto. All rights reserved
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