This project involved the conversion of an existing masonry church constructed in 1851 into a residence for a couple relocating from TriBeCa, New York City to upstate New York.

The program for the house includes a library and study for the husband, an open kitchen and performance area with piano at the main level, with the bedrooms, wine room and spa-like master bathroom at the lower lever.

The library is located on a loft level overlooking what was the main space of the church, now containing the kitchen, a pantry, and a living area with piano. The floor of the loft is constructed of 2” thick glass panels dropped into a steel frame. The translucent library level, in combination with the floor cut away in the main gathering space of the church; extenuate the existing architectural details of the church through the insertion of a clean, modern approach to solve the design problem that the existing conditions presented. Through the creation of a 34’-0” clear height from the subterranean wine room up to the ceiling of the library, the entire space glows with abundant natural light throughout the day.

Project Credit
Principal-in-Charge: Kelly Solon, AIA
Structural Engineer: Richard Mitchell, P.C.
General Contractor: Timothy W. O’Brien