cast-iron facade

Behind one of New York’s most beautiful and oldest cast-iron facades, local architecture firm WORKac has converted a former factory and warehouse into modern apartments adding a new penthouse on the roof.

For the apartment interiors and public area, WORKac created spaces that combine nature-inspired elements and systems with new ideas about urban living. From the tessellated green wall at the lobby to generous planters and balconies at the second, sixth and seventh floors, connections to the outdoors are emphasised. Within each apartment, a “third space” between bedrooms and living spaces is created at the top of the volume containing storage and bathrooms.

Less than four-feet high, this “bonsai apartment” is outfitted with a futon, seating areas, and a herb garden above the kitchen. Its main feature is a fern garden connected to the master shower below. Steam from the shower collects on the glass walls of the garden and waters the plants.