The Aperture House
The Aperture House is a comprehensive renovation of a landmarked brick townhouse in South Slope, Brooklyn. Built in 1870 by the Ansonia Factory - whose plant occupied the same block - to house workers as three apartments, the building had a storefront added in the early 20th century when the ground floor was converted to a store. Found in very poor condition inside and out, it called for a comprehensive rebuild; we reinterpreted the interiors as a light-filled contemporary home while carefully respecting the building’s original masonry character.
Photography by Pepe Molina & reBuild Workshop
The Plan
To bring more daylight into the garden level of this 1870 masonry structure, we removed the non-historic brick façade at the first floor and reconstructed a storefront based on historic photographs from the 1940s. The new front is clearly legible as a contemporary intervention while remaining respectful to the original.
At the parlor level, we created an uninterrupted, flexible open plan that maximizes daylight. Given the home’s location on a relatively busy street, the kitchen was positioned centrally, with the primary living space shifted toward the quieter rear of the house, which takes full advantage of the floor’s width and its relationship to the garden.
The most dramatic transformation happens at the back of the house. To enhance daylight and open the parlor level directly to the yard, we introduced a 10-foot-wide opening at the rear. Custom steel doors open onto a steel-and-cedar deck, providing a seamless transition to the garden — a change from the building’s earlier life that the before-and-after photographs of the rear facade capture most vividly.
Sustainability
We equipped the home with a high-efficiency, concealed heat-pump system that provides heating and cooling, with outdoor equipment located discreetly on the roof. Mechanical units and ductwork are carefully integrated within the architecture to preserve ceiling heights while ensuring efficient air distribution throughout. We comprehensively air-sealed and insulated the exterior envelope well beyond code requirements, and installed new high-performance windows throughout, significantly improving energy performance, comfort, and year-round thermal stability.
