by Messana O’Rorke

Our response to the challenges presented by this tiny studio apartment confirms the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention. Working with a scant 420 square feet, we were able to forge multiple experiences and moments of discovery from a space that might otherwise exude the depressing banality of a dorm room, where the bed is omnipresent and the quotidian functions of everyday life all unfold within a single, undifferentiated expanse. The linchpin of our solution is an independently articulated volume, floating within the space, which conceals the bed and mediates the procession through the apartment, delaying the revelation of a hidden kitchen, compact living room, and beautiful city views of the West Village. Clad in unlacquered brass on the outside and warm gray cowhide on the interior, the abstract cube that houses the bed chamber reads like a mysterious, minimalist sculpture—a jewel box within a jewel box. Folding doors open the container on three sides, averting claustrophobia while allowing for different levels of engagement with the surrounding spaces.
Once we removed the apartment’s existing walls, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and interior finishes, we reconceived the home along the lines of a ship’s berth or a boutique hotel room, places where efficiency and ingenuity work hand in hand to maximize physical functionality and the sense of gracious, open space. The north and south walls were built out like massive storage units, concealed behind discreet panels veneered in European fumed oak. The northern unit accommodates clothing, books, and a television, while the southern unit hides the entire professional-grade kitchen, appliances and all. In addition to camouflaging the visual jumble of life’s necessities, the storage walls provide a welcome layer of sound-proofing from the neighboring apartments. In contrast to the darker fumed oak used on the vertical elevations, a floor of wide white oak planks establishes a calm, cohesive foundation for the apartment’s architectural calisthenics.
More than sleights of hand, all these precisely crafted architectural interventions work in tandem to conjure a palpable wow factor, full of surprise and delight, in a miniscule space that most people would expect to possess neither.
The primary challenge involved navigating the delicate equilibrium between privacy and socialization for the two families. Architectural experimentation with geometry, spatial orientation, facades and volumetric massing address this challenge.
The project’s emphasis on internal circulation drove the design process, adopting a sculptural tectonic approach reflected in the volumetric massing of the final structure. The resulting curvilinear formal language imparts a sense of dynamism and motion to the living spaces.
The house is located at the rear of a corner plot, forming an L shape in plan, leaving the front part as open space. Spatial organization is guided by internal horizontal and vertical circulation, with sequential layouts aligning spaces based on functional dependence.
In terms of organization, the ground floor and southeast part of the first floor constitute one residence, while the northwest part of the first floor and the entire second floor belong to the other.
The volumetric displacement of facades generates balconies and cantilevers, strategically limiting visual contact between interiors and creating secluded outdoor spaces. A sculptural ribbon-like geometry on the front inner facade creates an impression of a moving structure.
Aligned with principles of green design, the project prioritizes sustainability by optimizing building orientation to maximize sunlight exposure. Its green roof in combination with the garden, accounting for 75% of the overall site coverage, reflects a commitment to environmentally conscious practices. The building utilizes renewable energy sources, incorporating geothermal energy for heating and cooling, along with photovoltaics to balance electricity consumption.
House Symbiosis caters to the cultural context of Greek families desiring close proximity for their children while addressing the shifting paradigms of post-pandemic residential preferences. Its innovative design redefines the conventional understanding of a double residency, offering an architecture that harmonizes private and shared spaces, thereby fostering enduring connections.
Category:Residential Interior DesignYear:2019Location:New York, New York, USA Architects:Messana O'Rorke Lead Architects:Brian Messana and Toby O'RorkeDesign Team: Viktor Nassli and Juan EspinosaContractor:UC GroupClient: Brian MessanaPhotographer: Stephen Kent Johnson