Skip to main content

Manhattan MicroLoft

Manhattan MicroLoft

Specht Novak Architects

Specht Novak Architects logo
  • 5.9K profile views
  • 1 save
Visit Website
What was once a tiny, awkward apartment at the top of a six-story building is now a multilevel, functional home. Read more
Visit Website

What was once a tiny, awkward apartment at the top of a six-story building is now a multilevel, functional home. The existing apartment had only 425 square feet of floor area but a height of over 24 feet. By utilizing this height, we created a flowing, platformed interior while maintaining open, vertical space.

The strategy was to create four stacked and interleaved “living platforms.” First is the living area, then a slightly elevated kitchen with an ultra-compact bath tucked under the stairs. These stairs lead to a platform bedroom with a cantilevered bed hovering over the main living space. Another flight of stairs leads you to the top floor – a roof garden with windows that allows light to cascade through the house.

“All the spaces flow into one another, and the idea of distinct rooms is dissolved.”
– Marc Kristal, The New York Times

Every inch of the apartment is put to use, with both sets of stairs featuring built-in storage units like that of Japanese kaidan-dansu. The apartment itself is crafted like a piece of furniture, with hidden and transforming spaces for things and people alike.

0h 0m

Awards

2016

NYCxDesign

Interior Design

2016
AwardNYCxDesign
OrganisationInterior Design
2013

Design Award of Merit

AIA Austin

2013
AwardDesign Award of Merit
OrganisationAIA Austin
2013

Residential Architect Design Award

Architect Magazine

2013
AwardResidential Architect Design Award
OrganisationArchitect Magazine
2013

A+ Award

Architizer

2013
AwardA+ Award
OrganisationArchitizer
2013

Design Award

Builder

2013
AwardDesign Award
OrganisationBuilder

Professionals used in
this project

The practices and trades credited on this project.

Next Project

Keep scrolling
West Lake Hills Residence