The Aperture Home

A 140-year-old landmarked brick townhouse, reinterpreted as a light-filled contemporary home.

Sketch of a living room interior with a view of outdoor greenery through large windows, a central couch, bookshelves on the left, and a fireplace on the right.

Photography by Pepe Molina & Themis Haralabides

The Plan

To bring more daylight into the garden level, reBuild removed the non-historic brick façade at the first floor and reconstructed the storefront based on historic photographs from the 1940s. This approach allowed the new addition to be clearly legible as a contemporary intervention, while remaining respectful of the original 1880s masonry structure.

At the parlor level, the objective was to create 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, taking full advantage of the floor’s width and its relationship to the garden.

To further enhance daylight and strengthen the visual and physical connection to the outdoors, a 10-foot-wide opening was introduced at the rear of the parlor level. Custom steel doors open onto a steel-and-cedar deck, providing a seamless transition to the rear yard.

Sustainability

The home is equipped 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. The exterior building envelope was comprehensively air-sealed and insulated well beyond code requirements, and new high-performance windows were installed throughout, significantly improving energy performance, comfort, and year-round thermal stability.

Cozy living room with large window, gray sofas, white fireplace, bookshelves, and houseplants."}

A bright living room oriented toward the backyard, with views through the reconfigured parlor-level opening and glimpses of the kitchen beyond.

unbelievable transformation of a landmarked townhome in South Slope, Brooklyn, with wide doors at the parlor level opening up to the backyard

Before and after: the back of the townhouse was transformed with wide opening and steel doors that open nearly the full width of the house, connecting the interior to the new steel and cedar deck, and backyard.

Modern interior with a slatted wood staircase, exposed brick wall, and a minimalistic table with a pomegranate and book. Open shelving with books and decorative items visible in the background.

A custom wood lattice screens the staircase and conceals the parlor-level powder room, blending storage and structure with refined detailing.

Kitchen with a coffee nook, featuring a built-in cabinet with an espresso machine and coffee grinder.

Custom built-in millwork organizes living room storage and display, reinforcing a cohesive material palette.

A cozy kitchen coffee nook with integrated cabinetry accommodates daily routines within the larger open plan.

A thoughtfully designed walk-in closet provides organized storage adjacent to the primary bedroom.

Modern kitchen counter with a marble surface, gold faucet, white subway tile backsplash, a wine bottle, two glasses on a wooden board, and a floral arrangement.

The rental unit’s kitchen at the garden level features a refined countertop, brass accents, and a subway tile backsplash

Completed front façade following a careful restoration that preserves the townhouse’s historic character.

Next Project >