High bar-joist ceilings, an old brick wall, exposed piping and conduit, a mix of industrial and residential type lighting, modern cabinets and kitchen surfaces; all elements of a hard loft residence.
When we speak of “loft residences” (also “loft apartments” and “loft condos”) we are generally referring to a certain type of adaptive re-use of an older warehouse building or industrial building for use as a multi-family residential building. However, “loft” is also used to refer to new construction buildings that are inspired by re-used older buildings (and may be part of the same development as one or more older buildings). We also use the terms “hard loft” and “open loft” to refer to a residence in an older building where evidence of the building’s former function, its structural systems, and its existing architectural elements are kept largely intact and are exposed in the dwelling unit interiors, and may be used to provide the compositional theme for the design of the living space. These housing units typically have high ceilings and commercial windows and are minimally finished and have few room delineations. However, a “soft loft” is more typically partitioned into conventional rooms and surfaces have more “standard” residential characteristics, but the “soft loft” units also contain some architectural elements reminiscent of hard lofts, such as exposed ductwork, exposed ceiling beams or other structural elements, and some “industrial’ surfaces such as concrete floors. The design of a loft residence often emphasizes urban sophistication, progressivism, innovation and experimentation.
My “loft residence” design and construction experience has been with “hard lofts” in both new and re-used structures. As noted above, in this design context the traditional demarcations of discreet rooms are minimized in favor of a continuity of space and subtle divisions. The design emphasizes openess and light, the play of natural light within the space is important. Light flows over low walls and around and through screens and translucent panels. Because the building’s original structure and architecture are left exposed, recycled and salvaged materials consistent with the building’s history and character can be used in the dwelling units to support the composition. But just as important, new materials and finishes can be used and set in contrast or tension with the building’s original materials and textures. Sometimes the more “high end” the selected finish or material, and the more “lowly” or industrial the context, the greater the impact that is achieved. And finally, mundane building materials such as plywood, acrylics, and metal panels can be used in innovative ways to both complement and contrast with the other elements. I have enjoyed no end of experimentation in my loft projects.
Below are a few more photos from my projects to illustrate these comments.
In this old building with timber framed ceilings the galley kitchen in this 600sf loft apartment has modern cabinets tucked into old doorways in the brick wall. Note the exposed electrical panel and conduits, the exposed ductwork, and the low wall which defines the sleeping area behind the kitchen.In this new building the exposed block walls and bar-joists define the character of this condo. A moving display cart and a hanging industrial screen (salvaged from a freight elevator) provide a visual division between the home office area and the living room-dining room space.Modern loft residents bring new life to a building built in 1876 to manufacture window frames and toilet seats.
Modern lighting fixtures illuminate the dining area in this loft. The fixtures hang from and industrial expanded metal screem which is suspended from the wood-framed ceiling. Corrugated metal covers the back of the kitchen peninsula, and matching flat metal panels create the kitchen backsplash.
A modern kitchen in this old loft building, pots and pans hang from a wire screen suspended from the ceiling, and timber columns bracket the work surface. Light from the tall windows flows through the space.
In this kitchen the old brick walls and tall windows provide the backdrop for crisp white new cabinets. The original wood window casings are retained and painted to match the cabinets. The accent in this space is copper: copper tubing to carry the open shelves, heavy copper pipes to support the snack bar, an aged-copper-look laminate for the counter top, and copper finish kitchen faucet. The salvaged rolling ladder assembly, supported on copper-painted rail, allows the owner to access upper cabinets.In this loft apartment of exposed brick and timber, the sleeping area is defined by a screen of maple plywood and frosted plexiglas, supported by floor-to-ceiling angle iron.
A view of the bedroom interior.Sliding patio doors lead to an iron balcony, and the cityscape beyond. Within the space sliding translucent doors separate the sleeping area, while allowing the light to flow through.For this loft owner a custom entertainment center was built of salvaged wood storage closets taken from a building of the same era.Found objects, such as the wire basket over the light, are used throughout.
For the owner of this loft no amount of experimentation was too much. There are three colors of kitchen cabinets used. The dining table is copper-clad, and the door panels (in the background) are covered in a patchwork of salvaged copper pieces from an old roof.
