Gillett Klinkowstein Residence
New York, New York
EOA / Elmslie Osler Architect, PC

Cast in snowy white and muted light, this loft portrays a remarkable fusion of two very different styles

© Gregory Goode

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

This 2,200-square-foot loft in Tribeca is located within a former rubber factory from the 1920’s that was completely unfinished. The program was to design a residence for a couple, a media consultant and a fashion designer. By the nature of their respective interests, there was a juxtaposition of "soft" and "hard" sensibilities to be resolved. Tom, the media consultant, sent images of Buckminster Fuller projects for inspiration; while Elizabeth, the fashion designer, sent images of soft, draped clothing. The fusion of the two styles was achieved through the materials, which also serve to reveal the minimal light that entered from one side. The light infiltrates the space through a series of translucent glass and hogwire layers. The glass is rigid but its translucency is yielding. The hogwire is woven from flexible plastic but its density and three-dimensional plait feels stiff. These translucent surfaces transform to opaque, depending on the shifting light and movement of the inhabitants.

The public, private, and adaptable spaces have been defined by screens, glass, and level changes. The bedroom, dressing room, and offices are set along the one wall of windows, raised above the public space by 18 inches with the bedroom tucked behind the furthermost corner. The kitchen can be screened from the public by a pull-down woven shade that creates a scrim-like effect. The master bath can be completely concealed with sliding chalkboard walls, or revealed, made visible through layers of glass with laminated insect screen and hogwire. The space is activated by the layers and their variability, creating a sense of depth and luminosity.

Formal name of Project:
Gillett Klinkowstein Residence

Location:
New York City

Gross square footage:
2,200 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$500,000

Owner:
Tom Klinkowstein / Elizabeth Gillett

Architect:
EOA / Elmslie Osler Architect, PC
526 West 26 Street, Suite 821
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212.989.0652
Fax: 212.366.0762