170sf Accessible/Sustainable Master Bathroom/Dressing Room for An Exhibiting Artist, NYC by Lilian H. Weinreich Architects nominated for 2013-14 ADEX Awards.

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170sf Accessible/Sustainable Master Bathroom/Dressing Room for An Exhibiting Artist, NYC

Lilian H. Weinreich Architects

PROGRAMME: Create an accessible/sustainable obstruction-free enlarged bathroom/walk-in dressing area in an existing NYC residential apartment.CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND: Exuberant Client is an exhibiting, art-naïve artist of note, in her 80’s planning for possible accessibility needs. Two weeks into the job, the Client broke her hip.EXISTING CONDITIONS: • Alteration to be contained within the existing 170sf master bathroom/adjoining closet footprint. • Wet expansion over dry was permissible• The existing structural beams, piping and duct-work were to remain in place - and the solution necessitated incorporating these elements.SIZE CONSTRAINT WAS NOT A LIMITATION: If carefully conceived a 170sf space can be totally transformed into a visually powerful and purely functional space. RESOURCEFULNESS: LIMITATIONS AND SOLUTIONS: 1. Obstruction Free-Space was achieved by: • Relocating all existing plumbing fixture. • Wall mounting the water-closet and vanity • Sliding bathroom and shower enclosure doors eliminate obtrusive door swings. • Open closets for easy access and visibility of closet contents2. Ceiling Planes Relate to Function: • By carving the ceiling planes to relate to function only - a sculptured effect was created enhancing the spatial experience• All existing dropped ceilings were removed • New ceilings planes were raised to maximize head-height and • Ceiling planes were dropped only to hide structural beams, piping and duct-work3. ADA Compliant Grab-bars: • Required grab bars were installed. Minimalist grab bars with matching towel bars display a functionalist, sculptural application eliminating the “hospital feel”6. Dramatic Use of Light Fixtures• Client wanted a well-lit space• Conical caged-marine light fixtures throw light onto the floor and add a jewel-like quality• Harsh transition of the dropped ceiling soffits were softened by floating lit edges• Hidden strip lights under the vanity and medicine cabinet add an ethereal quality.7. Artistic Plaster Finish• The Client and artisan worked in the Client’s studio mixing paint to subtly incorporate all colours of the finishes used in the job on the remaining unfinished walls. • These walls serve to showcase the Owners new art collection.For me Design should be syntactically consistent, and pragmatically understandable.It should be visually powerful, intellectually coherent, and ultimately timeless.

Sustainability

Sustainable Material – Green Innovation: • 80% of the finish material is blond-striated, strand-bamboo• Rapidly renewable, sustainable, hard, durable material. • Used in the flooring throughout, closet cladding, vanity, laundry doors• Leeds Credits: MRc6: Rapidly Renewable Materials IEQc4.3: Low-Emitting Materials - Flooring Systems MRc6: Rapidly Renewable Materials MRc7: Certified Wood2. Energy Efficient Equipment: • Laundry closet with energy efficient stacked washing-machine/vent-less dryer• Sits in custom S/S pan w/shut-off water sensor. • Well-designed laundry door bi-folds under the soffit and lies flat against the wall when the machines are in use

Lilian H. Weinreich Architects

Lilian H. Weinreich Architects is a boutique multi-disciplinary architectural and interior design firm based in New York City and Philadelphia with roots in Australia. The firm has gained acclaim for its signature design aesthetic in which space and light are used as sculptural elements. This sensibility evolves from the intent to design pure, modern and functional spaces. The firm approaches each of its projects as a set of individual programmatic possibilities. Residential design has always been central to the practice.

150 Central Park South 502
New York NY 10019
United States
(917) 770-1000
http://www.weinreich-architects.com