Remodelling Apt/Lofts in Philadelphia

Posted on: June 16th, 2010 | 47 Comments

This is Day 148 of the Slow Home Project and we need you to join us in our quest to evaluate the design quality of houses in nine North American cities in nine months. This week we are analyzing apartment/lofts in Philadelphia. For today’s design exercise we are going to redesign a 978 sq.ft. loft conversion.

It’s Wednesday on the Slow Home site and that means it’s time for another Design Project! So many of the apartment/ loft projects in Philadelphia are renovations to existing heritage buildings – which is a brilliant idea – however, we have seen a lot of examples of poorly designed loft conversions that are currently on the market.

For today’s exercise, we have selected a 978 sq ft loft conversion in the old city district of Philadelphia. It is unit 301 in the “Lofts @ 209” and has a lot of potential, but the current design has several problems. The design does not have a clear indication of how it would be furnished and where the bed would be placed. It lacks storage and has an odd location for the kitchen. In addition, the bathroom open up directly into the principal living space.

We need you to re-design this plan and post it to the site along with your comments and reasoning as to how you made your design decisions. Please make sure to pay attention to the following parameters:

  1. The 3 structural columns in the middle of the space need to remain.
  2. The kitchen and bathroom must be adjacent to the plumbing wall – which must remain in place.
  3. You must put back a more functional kitchen, a bedroom or loft bedroom area as well as some storage.
  4. Please add a place for laundry and a place for a study desk.

Good luck and we look forward to your creative solutions!

When you have completed your design, click on the player below to see how John has redesigned this space. We will be reviewing all the design projects on Friday’s post.

Day 148 – PDF
Day 148 – Existing
Day 148 – Demo
Day 148 – Full Symbol Library

See John’s Completed Design

Make sure to join us tomorrow for a new “In Detail” episode where we will be looking at examples of good and bad laundry spaces in apartment/ loft projects in Philadelphia.

  • MollyK

    John & Matthew,
    I have a question…

    Regarding the 3 columns…do they have to remain visually in the plan or can they be incorporated into a wall? For example, could you extend the plumbing wall around the closest column? OR all of the columns for that matter?

  • Matthew North

    Molly K – You can conceal the columns within a wall if that is required for your scheme. I am looking forward to your plan!!

  • MollyK

    Thanks Matthew…I might have more than one…just not totally happy with the first try.

  • BradW

    [img]shdp691.jpg[/img]

    I swapped the kitchen and bath. Everything else is simply furniture and cabinets.

    The major element is a large series of cabinets incorporating bedroom closets, storage, a TV, a desk and a bookshelf. This separates private and public spaces in the unit. This could be custom built or constructed from ready made flat pack components (eg. Ikea).

  • BradW

    [img]shdp692.jpg[/img]

    Here is the same design without furniture…not much different but easier to work with

  • BradW

    BTW, I kept the columns…as part of the character of the building these would differentiate the unit and be significant selling features.

  • Terri

    [img]philapt1.jpg[/img]

    It’s a good thing I’m going to be away next week. I found this one really trying to work on. What looked to be straightforward was nothing but. There’s still a traffic problem upon entry, but I give up! The thing that I took most notice of in the guidelines was storage, so I think I got that part of the puzzle, but after that…
    Looking forward to checking out John’s and BradW’s plans.

  • Athena

    [img]myphiladelphiaapartment.jpg[/img]

    I decided to switch where the bathroom and kitchen was. Then added another sliding glass door to the terrace so light could enter the master bedroom. I also added a walk in closet for more storage. More shelves were added to partially part the living and sleeping spaces.

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]phillycondo1.jpg[/img]

    Well. Here is something. I am still not satisfied with the living area though. Maybe another plan will be on its way…

    I wonder what John did with the kitchen facing to the entry hall or the side windows?

    Mid America Mom

  • MarisaM

    [img]3_gnst301.jpg[/img]

    So I designed with a more open concept in mind and did not shut off the bed room area. I did put the laundry washer and dryer in the clothing closet. I think the kitchen is much better suited where the bathroom used to be.

    The apartment large area seemed too big for one person and it felt like extra furniture would be needed to fill the space.

  • MollyK

    [img]shphillyaptr1jpage002.jpg[/img]

    OK…the space didn’t seem complicated though the columns were a bit tricky on the furniture arrangement.

    I flipped the kitchen and bathroom. I placed the W/D in the bathroom. It felt ok to have it in there since only one bedroom exists; plus, it makes the water hookup easier.
    I enclosed one column since it was overwhelmed by the walls around it. I think the focus is better on the 2 columns and the spaces in between them.
    The space with the dining table just felt right so I moved the sliding door to eliminate the circulation at the table.
    The desk is tucked in a niche beside the outdoor space giving it natural light from the door and window.

  • Cnick

    [img]3_plan.jpg[/img]

    I decided to create an entirely separate bedroom because there was enough space to do so. I added a middle entertainment unit between the kitchen and living room. The odd “laundry room” in the entrance I removed completely. In a loft this size, there is simply not the room for this so I put the laundry machines stacked up. The master bedroom I put in close proximity to the bathroom and I think added plenty of counter space in the kitchen.

  • Neogi

    [img]2_phily.jpg[/img]

    I guess my design is pretty similar to John’s but i decided to keep my bedroom open and almost a loft style. i like the peninsula in the kitchen because it allows for more counter space and the narrow entry table across from it keeps it defined from the rest of the living/dinning space. This unit is a really great one as it has windows in all three sides which is quite rare.

  • Kadoman

    [img]2_kariredesign.jpg[/img]

    I found the plumbing wall to be quite a restrictive feature. The columns were interesting as well. I was hoping to create a sort of 2 side/feel home. 1 side being low key, the other being relaxing in an entertaining way.

  • Kadoman

    I always forget the little details like cupboards. ;) Oh well.

  • MollyK

    Terri,
    Where’s your floating furniture? I look forward to it each week. Well, I think some of the other SlowHomers took up the cause.;)

  • autobrad

    [img]wrobleski209main.png[/img]

    here is my design. I chose to build it around a 3/4 height wall around the columns, leaving the top and bottom of the columns exposed as an art display on both sides. The open concept is designed to use the art as central/focal point.

    sorry about the rough lines…still getting my Paintbrush dexterity

  • autobrad

    hmmmm….not sure why three images showed up?

    now to look at J and Ms rendition

  • bbhorner

    [img]5_bbhorner.jpg[/img]

    Ya like others I started off this challenge thinking it would be easy but the restrains on the placement of the kitchen and bathroom and the columns, really were challenging. I suppose all re-use builds are challenging because you are adapting a building to fit another need (residental housing in this case). I swapped the bathroom and kitchen, created a semi private bedroom, and provided an in-suite laundry.

  • PeterB

    [img]mydesign.jpg[/img]

    I decided to enlarge the kitchen and place it near the front entrance. There is also a large bedroom on the back end i placed but i fear it may be too large. As well i gave it a decent sized walk in closet. I think it is greatly improved but not my best work to date. This one stumped me.

  • JPHH

    [img]condo.jpg[/img]

    So I left two of the columns and flipped the bath and kitchen. It looks like so far everybody is flipping the bathroom and kitchen. I also put the laundry in the walk in closet, I thought this was a good spot as there is only the one bedroom.

  • Murray

    [img]1_phillyloft.jpg[/img]

    I tried to keep it a bit loft-like while still defining space. Also, tried to have easy circulation from space to space.

  • autobrad

    [img]wrobleski2092.jpg[/img]

    here is another rendition. I thought it would be interesting to see how changing the kitchen and bathroom would effect the design.

  • autobrad

    I made it a bit more open concept ie. sliding doors to reflect more of the Phili yuppie buyer

  • MollyK

    The redesigns are just great…I’m enjoying all that have been posted so far.

    MURRAY!
    I immediately noticed your kitchen is an open concept. If my memory serves me correctly you are partial to a less “open” kitchen. How did this redesign feel to you? For me, putting the W/D in the bathroom was odd but somewhat logical. What about your experience?

  • Manolo

    [img]1_mytry2.jpg[/img]

    I tried to keep the ceiling height walls to a minimum for 2 reasons: 1 – what autobrad just said, and 2 – in the photographs of the interiors from the website there is that amazing wooden beam ceiling that I didn’t want to obstruct. Actually, I organized my spaces around these beams so that, for example, the dining table light fixture (the dotted circle) would hang down from the center of a beam and be centered on the table. The block around the columns is millwork above head height but below ceiling – a desk on the one side, the closet on another, and a bookcase on the other.
    I have to say – BradW and Terri, yours really stood out for me so far (but I admit I haven’t seen them ALL yet)! Well done!

  • Bell604

    [img]2_floorplan.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my plan, I tried to get all necessities within the plan, but it was difficult because the apartment is fairly small at >1000 sqft. I really wanted to keep the bedroom as its own room, so that became an issue as well. Also, I needed to move the doorway to the bathroom because having it look right into the living space is just wrong.

  • Hawerchuk#10

    [img]hawerchukredesign.jpg[/img]

    My redesign was an attempt to keep things simple with keeping circulation in mind. I am not certain I succeed in this endeavor. I made the bedroom large enough and added a closet. I placed it where I did to give it a lot of natural light and installed full class french doors to also get light from the balcony/terrace.
    The living room has a good connection to the outside and will have a focal point. The kitchen was left in the spot it was before, as Matthew stated “not so bad”. So I think the placement along of the appliance along with the island which has an eating bar will be functional and not detrimental. I added a separate room for a study. Overall as with my previous design projects think this one could use some improvement and perhaps some more thought.

  • Allie G

    [img]floorplan4.jpg[/img]

    Here is my floor plan. I tried to keep things simple and allow good circulation. I really like everyone’s plans, they’re all looking really quite good.

  • MollyK

    [img]murraysredesign.jpg[/img]

    Murray,
    I hope you don’t mind that I took liberties with your design. I saw it and wanted to change the position of the bed to get a slightly better view. Your closet gave me an idea… so I created the wall the bed is now on and behind it is a walk-thru closet. Wish I had thought of that for my design.

  • D.Eng

    [img]2_phillyapartment.jpg[/img]

    Here is my design…
    I wanted to keep the dining room and living room as open as possible, so I did not add any walls or other obstructions. The open space allows for a variety of furniture placements.
    I found that there was a lot of space to work with so I decided to enlarge the bedroom, and bathroom, add a walk in closet and sitting room.
    I did encounter some problems with the beams.

  • frazer

    [img]vanroekelphilidesign2.jpg[/img]

    So here’s my attempt. More footage favoured switching the kitchen with the bathroom from the original. Putting a TV into the living room created quite a challenge since there are so many windows. I’ve used the columns as a feature element in the living room by creating a recessed wall between two of them. This allows opportunity for a laundry room to act as a separation for private/public space. I’m still wondering about the kitchen a little since it feels crowded…(I wanted to keep the entry wide enough).

  • Terri

    Finally made it back to the site. Good work, everyone! I hadn’t wanted to let that bank of windows across the top of the plan just be walk space, but I see that everyone else let it be, allowing the openness to reign supreme, and I have to say I really like the result.

    I’m wondering now how far “adjacent” actually is for plumbing, because in some cases, the washer is getting to be a little further away than I thought “adjacent” meant–including John’s placement. (I had to say it, sorry, John!)

    Molly,
    I’ve lost my zest for floating objects. Well, I almost put my floating entry cupboard as a free-standing unit, but chose to anchor it. There wasn’t enough space once I decided on putting the dining table there. I also nixed my banquette (in version 3 or something…)I like your W/D placement, and also your change on Murray’s plan.

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]phillycondo5.jpg[/img]

    Here is my last attempt I think ;)

    *Terri
    here is our banquette!

    This plan I have a banquette in the middle of the plan – in between two of the pillars. On the side near the bath it has a wall to the ceiling(who needs a bath view?) The built in L shaped seating is about 2.5 feet (you need to account for an angled back or cushion if you want comfort). I envision a 5 by 3 table that is after market. You can place a chair on either side of the pillar if want more seating there.

    Next to the outdoor space is a small desk for a laptop and you can place bookshelves at the back.

    The kitchen has a nice hood for the stove. The sink is on the back wall. A niche is in the wall next to the pillar and I thought that would be a good glass shelves with light feature (sorry I could not get that back pillar in the exact area so I threw it in the wall).

    The bedroom and hall have access to a larger bath. The W/D is in its own space with a small cabinet for detergent or folding. On the other side of it is the closet.

    Mid America Mom

  • Hilda

    [img]1_week5finaldesign.jpg[/img]

    Hey Everyone! Good job on the designs!

    Probably one of the last to post up their design, but this week’s project was really interesting! It’s the first one I worked with that got a limit on where to put the plumping!
    First and foremost, swapped places of the kitchen and bathroom, and after some consideration made the doors (ie.bedroom and bathroom) to be sliding doors. Since this was in a small unit to begin with I don’t really want to clutter things up. Placed the washer and dryer in connection to the bedroom, let’s face it, only the owner will go in there. No doors for the closet and lundry space. For the closet, it doesn’t feel right to close off one of the windows. For the lundry space, there’s no point really since it’s already placed in a private space, and it got enough room to do some folding in too.
    Placed the study desk beside the patio door, since: one, good lighting source and two, if the work becomes too much, one can just step outside to take a break.
    Living spaces placed pretty much in a straight line to keep the circulation from the front door to the hallway clear. But the bookworm in me decided that there’s room for a bookself at the end of it.
    Finally, even though it’s not drawn on there, because I’m not sure how to represent this, the column that is closest to the sofa can be the spot where the plasma screen go for the option of being swiveld around for viewing from the kitchen or dining room.
    Can’t wait for the feed back! I know there’s room for improvements, just not sure where!
    Cheers!

  • nicole

    [img]3_pp1.jpg[/img]

    Looks like there is a lot of variety with very similar ideas.

  • Grace Coulter

    [img]philadesignprojectaptloftgrace.jpg[/img]

    Hopefully mine is a bit different, i haven’t had the chance to check everyone’s out yet. I tried to create a bathroom I would be comfortable using…trying to get the sunlight into the bathing space.

  • Tiffany

    [img]philadesignprojectaptloftstudentlayout11.jpg[/img]

    Here is my plan. It is hard to come up with something different then everyone else with the resitrictions of the structure and the wet wall, but I guess it is more realistic of a project.
    I put the laundry in the bedroom closet, as that is were the majority of the laundry is anyways. I also create a small study area, but I think that it is still open enough that it will get light from the other windows of the house.

  • Dan M

    [img]philadesignprojectaptloftdan.jpg[/img]

    I wanted to accentuate the wood roof (I looked at the photo gallery of the lofts) via the columns, and therefore made them square. I switched the bathroom and kitchen as they seemed off the way they were. To add privacy to the bedroom I added a sliding 6 piece shoji (wood/rice paper) screen that can be opened and closed. I agree the living/dining and placement of furniture was difficult, however I tried to keep it as open as possible. I also moved the laundry into a room accessed via pocket door off the washroom, the linen is located here as well.

  • SangeetaG

    [img]wk5design.jpg[/img]

    Here is my proposed redesign. This was a challenging space to work with. I knew where the principle spaces we going to be well suited, the challenge was minimizing the wasted spaces. Since this plan has a large floor area, often two bedrooms are ideal. In this case, with one bedroom, there was too much left over space. I firstly tried to give as much storage as possible, one for random things and another of course a walk in clothes closet. I think storage is absolutely essential, you know you need it when you don’t have anywhere to put your stuff.

    I also tried to keep a connection between the living, dining and kitchen. Instead of closing off the dining, I designed a low (millwork) ledge, so that people eating can still engage with those in the living and kitchen. Since there was a lot of space, I made a large kitchen with a lot of counter space. I’m guessing this would be useful for visitors and add value to the apartment.

    I kept the study in the bedroom, thinking of this large space as a private and quiet area where studying/working is possible. I’m a big fan of sliding doors, but for this space, I preferred swing for storage and bath, and kept a sliding in walk-in closet to reduce space lost to door swing.

    I kept the focus of the living room on a feature wall, that is a full tiled wall that steps down to form either a small bench or simply a space for decor. In this area, I find that small design features such as the mill work and feature wall enhance the overall appeal of the interior space and creates good first impressions.

  • Alison G

    [img]phililoft.jpg[/img]

    My version of a Philadelphia loft conversion. I kept all the closed/private spaces along the back wall and maintained an open sensibility throughout the rest of the loft, limiting the bedroom delineation to a floating wall (it’s a loft!! and my ideal loft space was obviously shaped by repeatedly watching the movie Big).

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]phillycondo7.jpg[/img]

    Great job everyone!

    LOVE these restrictions and the challenge. I could not resist playing again.

    Thought ok maybe a banquette might be too much so I worked dining over in the same area. It is a 9 by 13 space. Issue is that pillar! So I went with a 4 seater round (I cannot angle with Paint but would if I could) which can work. Bookcases are on the outside wall.

    And for all of those who like the character the pillars are out there for enjoyment.

    The Desk went to the island on the entry hall side.

    Made the bedroom more private with access at the patio door area. I like the bed position here. Walking into the room …the view is to the bed and when in bed you can look off the foot to a tv and or dresser.

    The bath has a closet laundry and access to the main space. The master is accessed via a pocket door. I made sure the view from either the main or bedroom space did not go to a fixture.

    Enough! LOL I have to go to bed.

    Mid America Mom

  • Jessica

    [img]philadesignprojectloftcullenjforjohn.jpg[/img]

    Tried to maintain open space in the plan, though I think there are some instances of under-utilized space perhaps? Could this have been mitigated by incorporating more storage space? Not sure.

    Alison, I’m disappointed that we don’t see a trampoline in your plan. That was my favourite part of watching BIG–

  • Tara

    [img]2_phillyloft.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my redesign, though a bit late in the day. I used the structural columns to act as a line between the public and more
    “private” spaces in the house. I almost thought that it was a bit big of a space for a loft and so I had a bit of trouble using all the spaces. But nonetheless, here it is!

  • Tara

    [img]3_phillyloft.jpg[/img]

    Sorry, here’s the better jpeg.

  • Andrew

    [img]2_philadesignprojectaptloftmcconnell.jpg[/img]

    One of the main things I wanted to accomplish here was integrate the outdoor terrace with the bedroom. I felt that the terrace has a lot of potential as an enjoyable outdoor living area and the bedroom is a place where a lot of time would be spent by the occupants so therefore I made a direct connection between these 2 spaces. Also, I took advantage of one of the corners, which has plenty of window area, and turned it into a study.

  • Murray

    MollyK

    Don’t know if you will ever see this, but thanks for your involvement with a rethink of my plan. I do like what you did, and I don’t mind losing the door from the bedroom into the bathroom. I had considered that in an earlier attempt, but then decided to stick with the door which limited bed placement options.

    Re: the kitchen – I know – I am afraid that I was of the mind,”if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em – but also I was trying to keep it “loft-like” to appeal to trendy Philly buyers!.

    Re: laundry – given our parameters I think the laundry pretty much has to go in the bathroom. I got really hung up on the plumbing issue thinking it all had to be on the one wall, but then decided the plumbing and venting could run between floor joists, as long as it is reasonably close to the “wet wall” and J&M call it.

    I’d rather have the laundry in the bathroom than in the bedroom. I know Terri is totally against laundry in the kitchen!