The best features of this loft were formerly obscured by its worst. While the apartment has a rich history, it lacked a cohesive floor plan that allowed any substantive living space.

Positioned in the Northwest corner of the top floor of the (c 1880) three-story factory building, the space is wrapped on its two exterior sides by a brick wall with a consistent rhythm of windows. The ceiling vaults up to the underside of the building’s shallow-pitched roof. Western windows frame views of trees and a sky punctuated by towers of Saint Mary’s Church and Smith College.

 

With the onset of the pandemic and a new sensitivity for potential demands, a floor plan environment that was self-sufficient, flexible, sustainable, prioritized wellness and hygiene—along with an allowance for public versus private space was valuable to the client and the perceived uses of future tenants.

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From the entry foyer, one step up creates a new level floor above the existing subfloor, which dipped a dramatic 4 inches in the center of the apartment. Pocket and sliding doors then became feasible, along with trim and tile details that required a similarly plum surface. White oak flooring, trim and solid core doors create a warm juxtaposition with the steel and cooler hues of  tile and paint.

 

The re-worked floor plan was not captive to existing utility locations; the kitchen and bath areas were flipped, allowing washroom use before entry into kitchen/living areas, a space that takes advantage of all 6 apartment windows and grants dexterity in furniture layout. Abundant storage was incorporated and weaves in an understated material palette that better highlights the simple strength of the building’s construction.

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Studio InSitu Architects, Inc.: Tim Hess, Natalie Leighton, Alex McManus
Builder: Classic Colonial Homes & Keiter Builders
Photography: Studio InSitu

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