Search

A Firehouse is Converted to a Residence & Photo Studio

A 19th century firehouse built in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg fell into disrepair in the 1970s and went on to become a sculptor’s studio. A photographer bought the run-down property from the sculptor and hired TBD Architecture + Design Studio to renovate the two-story structure. The project included turning the ground floor garage, which used to hold horses and buggies, into a private photo studio and gallery, and the converting the upstairs into bedrooms for his two daughters and the main living space. On top of that, a third story penthouse was designed as the master suite, lounger, and rooftop garden.

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-1a

Focus went into bringing in the most natural light while maintaining a sense of privacy. A light well from the third floor roof helps with that by bringing light to the main living spaces.

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-1b

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-2

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-3

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-4

The master suite is the owner’s private oasis at the top with sliding glass doors that open the space to the rooftop deck.

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-4a

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-5

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-6

A bridge joins the lounge space with the private bedroom as it passes through the sky lit space.

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-8

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-8a

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-9

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-10

Firehouse-Conversion-TBD-Architecture-Design-11

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.