"Dynamic Fabrications": J. Goldman's Joshua Felix Gives Inside Look at Bushwick's 18-22 Stanhope Street

By CityRealty Staff | From Future New York Friday, August 18, 2017

Facade of 18-22 Stanhope Street

As Brooklyn matures as the destination of choice for many New Yorkers, its new architecture and interior designs have grown bolder, taking on stylings more reflective of its creative denizens and its unique urban environment. With project sizes generally smaller, costs lower, and the demographic younger, designers generally have a bit more wiggle room to be experimental, especially when compared to the larger, more formulaic developments that dominate Manhattan.

One of the most innovative and prolific design firms to emerge in recent years has been J. Goldman Design / BEAM Group who bring to the table fun, industrial swagger to each of their projects regardless of the scope or budget. Over in Bushwick, at 18-22 Stanhope Street, J. Goldman designer Joshua Felix gives us an inside look at a new 4-story, 26-unit project he is heading the design on. Showing that inspiration abounds along the neighborhood’s gritty blocks, Felix tells us how a shipping pallet tossed curbside informed elements of the design.

Typial corridor and bath with industrial elements specified throughout (J Goldman)

What was the overall design concept?

My clients are investors, so budget is always a challenge. Lucky for me, an industrial style is desirable and a lot of fun to design. My goal for 18-22 Stanhope was to use unexpected industrial materials in creative and new ways. Such things as standard screws for apartment numbers (credit to my operations manager for that one) and an unusual shipping pallet made a unique light installation. True story, I had parked my car near a lot of debris here in gritty Brooklyn and tripped over that very shipping pallet (photo below).

Shipping pallet inspiration for the project (Credit Joshua Felix)

Lobby with lighting fixture inspired by pallet (J. Goldman Design)

How did you consider the surrounding context when designing the building?

When designing a facade, I focus on complementing existing architecture, following the architect's parameters, potential demographic, their lifestyle and future neighborhood development.

Google Earth aerial showing location of 18-22 Stanhope within Bushwick's context (CityRealty)

What are some recent design trends regarding layouts and choosing finishes?

The trend of an open eat-in kitchen isn't going away anytime soon. When given the approved architecture set, my common obstacle is the small footprint of the kitchen. This forces a creative approach to enhanced function in spaces like the kitchen. I found a way to incorporate an eat-in open kitchen by utilizing the often-unsightly code required soffit as a lighting feature to visually expand the space.