This Rooftop Loft design by celebrated Dutch architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio is futuristic, functional art at its finest. Five Franklin Place in New York City’s TriBeCa neighborhood enjoys modern and historic influences, all wrapped in an artful facade. Says van Berkel, “We picked up the strong horizontal cornices and decorative details of TriBeCa’s architecture, re-formed them, and transported them onto our building in a very contemporary way that makes them truly functional but that still has a lot to do with pure surface decoration.” The exterior is dressed in modern metal bands, described by the architect as “sewn on, like a dress.” The rooftop loft is a white crown atop this modern building. Inside, the double-height lofts cleverly capitalize on natural light and space. The home is flooded with daylight from the two-storey Great Room windows, and the contemporary plan puts the mezzanine at the center of the design, suspended above a 20-ft. high library/gallery space and disappearing stairway. The kitchen by B&B Italia is a sculptural and high-performance space, featuring an innovative island, custom cabinetry and fixtures, polished in every sense of the word. The master bedroom boasts a unique ensuite with a curved sliding wall that opens onto the bedroom. Living spaces feature integrated balconies what offer breathtaking views of the New York City skyline. UNStudio.
