The Wedge
The Wedge is the comprehensive renovation of an unconventional triangular apartment in Brooklyn, transformed into a refined, light-filled contemporary home.
Rather than working against the apartment’s unusual geometry and exposed structure, the design embraces these constraints as opportunities. Existing columns and beams become organizing elements, while carefully positioned openings, sculptural forms, and custom millwork establish a sense of clarity and flow.
The result is a sophisticated, highly tailored interior where architectural precision, thoughtful planning, and carefully integrated building systems work together.
Photography by Blue Slate Films & Pernille Loof
The Plan
The apartment’s triangular footprint presented an unusual spatial challenge. Our design responds to its geometry by incorporating the existing structural columns and beams into a new architectural composition, allowing the original building to inform the organization of the interior.
Two substantial partitions, each punctuated by generous cased openings, establish three distinct yet interconnected spaces for cooking, dining, and living. These framed openings organize circulation, align views, and create a sense of spatial continuity while giving each area its own identity.
At the center of the home, a monolithic kitchen island wrapped in black soapstone becomes the defining architectural element. Positioned perpendicular to the main kitchen cabinetry, it extends through one of the cased openings, connecting the kitchen and dining areas while creating a striking sculptural focal point.
Throughout the apartment, custom millwork brings warmth, functionality, and visual continuity to the interiors. A built-in banquette creates an intimate breakfast nook, while integrated bookcases and shelving provide generous storage and display space.
A continuous millwork installation also conceals radiators, air-conditioning equipment, and ductwork, allowing the mechanical systems to disappear into the architecture without compromising ceiling heights or the clarity of the interior. The result is a carefully composed home where every element serves a purpose, transforming an irregular floor plan into a series of balanced, welcoming spaces.
Performance
Alongside the architectural transformation, The Wedge incorporates targeted upgrades to improve energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and air quality.
Exterior walls were insulated to reduce heat loss, while inefficient window air-conditioning units were replaced with a high-efficiency HVAC system. Carefully integrated within the custom millwork, the new system provides more consistent cooling and air distribution without compromising the apartment’s architectural character.
The reconfigured floor plan allows daylight to penetrate deeper into the interior, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Energy-efficient LED fixtures further lower electricity consumption, while a new mechanical exhaust system improves ventilation.
Low-VOC paints and low-formaldehyde cabinetry and plywood were selected to support healthier indoor air quality.
