TriBeCa Loft by LOCAL, LLP

Posted on: July 11th, 2011 | 12 Comments


In this “In Detail” segment John and Matthew look at the renovation of a loft in Tribeca designed by LOCAL, LLP.

  • Steve in Van

    The bookshelves nicely handle that irregular livingroom wall.  Great idea!  I’m less excited about the entry millwork — it reads to me like a seperate piece of furniture sticking into the living area (awkwardly, IMO).  What if it were white and completely built-in, or even white and cantilevered?  I think it would feel more permanent and intentional if it relatedly more obviously to the shelving wall.

  • Matthew North

    Hi Steve – it’s funny you should bring up the point about the front entry millwork looking more like furniture and lees like a built in – the exact same reason you don’t like it is the reason that I think it looks great! I love that it blurs the line between furniture and built in – I also like the subtle way the millwork wood finish is extended to the mirror frame above. I’m curious to hear what other Slow Homers think……should a built in look like a built in?

  • Terri

    Hi Matthew and Steve,
    I can’t resist adding my opinion now that you asked us for one!
    I agree with Steve. My first impression of the entry built-in was good–from the front. But from the back it looked more like someone couldn’t find the right size of furniture for the space. I like Steve’s idea of something white and cantilevered better–no legs at least.
    So I guess I’m saying that a built-in should “read” as one–no confusion allowed.;)

  • Matthew North

    I have a feeling that I am going to lose this argument! It is interesting that the back of the millwork is the issue – is it because it looks like it doesn’t fit in the space and sticks out? Maybe if there was a piece of frosted glass mounted to the top that extended to the ceiling to create more enclosure. I don’t know…..I still like it…..and I Iike the single leg!

  • Terri

    Matthew, I like the openness above the unit, and as John says in the video, it allows someone to put something there while accessing the closet, so I don’t think glass is the answer. The sticking out doesn’t bother me–I like the entry definition it provides. Maybe with time, I can come to appreciate that single leg too…!

  • BradW

    I like the entry cabinet for all the reasons you cite. It is innovative out of the box thinking. This is also why the reverse island works for me. Interesting segment guys – thanks.

  • Cat

    What if the millwork wrapped around the corner just a little? 

  • Cat

    What if the millwork wrapped around the corner just a little? 

  • Matthew North

    Hi Cat – nice to hear from you! I think if the millwork only wrapped around a little bit then the entry space would not be as well defined. I think the length of the millwork is correct. How’s that for a definitive answer!

  • Oscar B. Morales

    John and Mathew,

     

    Great episode – I like to make
    a comment on the Tribeca project first. I like the floating mill work, it is somewhat
    disengaged from both the wall with the mirror and the bookcase.

     

    I do see that the architects
    celebrated the “steel columns”.  I would
    have been less concerned with them or gone a little further with the emphasis given
    to them.

     

    Because the column is there,
    between the bookcase, closet door and floating millwork, it all feels
    disjointed. I like the simplicity of it all but it needs to be tied together. I
    know that his is a rehab, and many attempts were made to make it feel fresh and
    light, but for instance, the soffits are not significant enough to make the
    spaces feel spatial, the ceilings are high, but are not celebrated enough.

     

    The fire suppression pipes
    are all over the ceiling and make it looks un-designed or ignored. The door
    frames are heavy, in particular the one between the column and floating mill
    work.

     

    Once again we are left with a
    question, did the designer go as far as the budget would allow or was the
    execution of the design was not interpreted to the design.

     

    I am wondering and I quote Mathew,
    “There are three details that we are specifically going to look at” if subconsciously
    the designer approach each of this great details separately and that is the
    intent, just as Mathew and John each individually.

     

    Great project and great
    discussion.

     

    p.s. What is the use of the
    large space in the bookcase?

  • Rsmith

    Your use of still shots, video, and tablet software is really cool.  Do you produce these yourselves?   http://smithmetzger.com/category/blog/

  • Steve

    Hi Rsmith,

    Glad you’re enjoying the videos! They are in fact produced in-house using a combination of non-linear editing stations and a live-to-tape broadcasting system known as “Wirecast”.

    If you have anymore questions let us know!