The Landmarks Preservation Commission today unanimously approved a very radical renovation of the three-story, single-family home at 187 Franklin Street in TriBeCa.
The design by Jeremy Edmiston calls for a transforming the small facade into a mini-red-brick version of Frank O. Gehry's torqued and twised stainless steel residential skyscraper at 8 Spruce Street that is known now as New York by Gehry.
The rippled and wavy effect of the planned facade "looks like flames on the side of a hot rod," according to an article today at ny.curbed.com, which added that "neighbors felt abused, confused, and less than enthused."
The article said that on closer inspection the design "looks less gorilla juicehead, as Snooki might say," adding that the commissioners described the design as "phenomenal," "symphonic," "exciting," "smart" and "delirious." The article did note, however, that the Historic Districts Council said that the proposal to redesign the 1993 building "takes an infill building that quietly respects its neighbors and turns it into a building screaming out for attention."
According to the article, the architect said the facade will be comprised of 14,538 bricks, and several fire escapes wedged around tall, angled windows.
The council's statement said that "the application is more than just one to construct an addition and alter the facade; it is, in effect, an application for a new building."
"As with other proposals of this type, the new structure's fit within the context of the historic block in particular and the historic district overall needs to be carefully considered. HDC appreciates the use of brick and the level of craftsmanship required to create what is featured in the proposal. It is certainly more appropriate from the material perspective than many new buildings and additions we see with an overwhelming amount of glass and metal. If brick is the primary feature that is tying the new structure into its historic surrounding though, material samples are need. A building is more than just its materials however, and HDC finds that the design, while interesting, is not the best fit for his location. The first floor seems to be rather unconsidered, possibly because so much is going on above. This will be the part of the building most closely experienced by the passersby, and the very dark, flat wall will contribute little to the streetscape. The building seems to just dissolve at the roof, rather than finishing off strongly like other TriBeCa buildings of varying eras do. In between the lack of a regular fenestration pattern dramatically sets this facade off from its neighbors as does its very sculptural profile."
Perhaps the architect might consider added a Friedensreich Hundertwasser-like chimney to channel the imaginative flames of the building's residents.
The design by Jeremy Edmiston calls for a transforming the small facade into a mini-red-brick version of Frank O. Gehry's torqued and twised stainless steel residential skyscraper at 8 Spruce Street that is known now as New York by Gehry.
The rippled and wavy effect of the planned facade "looks like flames on the side of a hot rod," according to an article today at ny.curbed.com, which added that "neighbors felt abused, confused, and less than enthused."
The article said that on closer inspection the design "looks less gorilla juicehead, as Snooki might say," adding that the commissioners described the design as "phenomenal," "symphonic," "exciting," "smart" and "delirious." The article did note, however, that the Historic Districts Council said that the proposal to redesign the 1993 building "takes an infill building that quietly respects its neighbors and turns it into a building screaming out for attention."
According to the article, the architect said the facade will be comprised of 14,538 bricks, and several fire escapes wedged around tall, angled windows.
The council's statement said that "the application is more than just one to construct an addition and alter the facade; it is, in effect, an application for a new building."
"As with other proposals of this type, the new structure's fit within the context of the historic block in particular and the historic district overall needs to be carefully considered. HDC appreciates the use of brick and the level of craftsmanship required to create what is featured in the proposal. It is certainly more appropriate from the material perspective than many new buildings and additions we see with an overwhelming amount of glass and metal. If brick is the primary feature that is tying the new structure into its historic surrounding though, material samples are need. A building is more than just its materials however, and HDC finds that the design, while interesting, is not the best fit for his location. The first floor seems to be rather unconsidered, possibly because so much is going on above. This will be the part of the building most closely experienced by the passersby, and the very dark, flat wall will contribute little to the streetscape. The building seems to just dissolve at the roof, rather than finishing off strongly like other TriBeCa buildings of varying eras do. In between the lack of a regular fenestration pattern dramatically sets this facade off from its neighbors as does its very sculptural profile."
Perhaps the architect might consider added a Friedensreich Hundertwasser-like chimney to channel the imaginative flames of the building's residents.
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
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