Search

Interiors Meet Exteriors at Bergen by Frida Escobedo and Workstead

08.29.24 | By
Interiors Meet Exteriors at Bergen by Frida Escobedo and Workstead

Finding balance between concrete and nature within New York City will always be a struggle – one that resonates deeply with every denizen of the metropolis. The quest to harmonize these seemingly disparate elements is a nuanced negotiation that developers and designers alike unite to reconcile. In the case of Bergen, a 105-unit residential building amongst the tree-lined streets of Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, creative pioneers Frida Escobedo and Workstead teamed up to compose a building that reflects this paradigm shift in urban living philosophy.

A modern living room featuring a beige sofa, wooden chairs, a marble-top coffee table, and a dining area with a wooden table and chairs. The room has large windows and a wooden accent wall.

Frida Escobedo drew inspiration from the brownstone bay windows typical of the Boerum Hill neighborhood. The building’s celosia facade reflects this heritage, with rhythmic geometry and natural stone masonry that respects and complements the surrounding context of Brooklyn’s historic architecture. The result is a structure that feels both grand and rooted, establishing strong ties to the neighborhood while providing a sense of belonging for its future residents.

A modern living room with large windows, a beige couch, a wooden chair, a concrete coffee table, and a beige rug. A vase with branches and a stack of books are on the table.

Complementing this exterior, Workstead utilized simple geometric forms and natural finishes within the interiors to emphasize a sense of quality and understated luxury. The result is a design that feels cohesive and soft, avoiding excessive ornamentation, which blends indoor and outdoor spaces for a stronger connection to place.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets and a granite countertop. Three stools are placed at the island, and a large vase with flowers decorates it. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling.

In the kitchens, the warmth of white oak flooring and custom millwork is balanced by the cool elegance of honed quartzite and brushed nickel. This interplay of materials continues in the spa-like bathrooms, where subtly veined honed marble evokes a sense of tranquil luxury. At the heart of Bergen stands the Glass House, a transparent jewel box connecting the residential wings and offering a visual bridge between Dean and Bergen Streets. Its striking cylindrical staircase, bathed in natural light, becomes a sculptural centerpiece, unifying the building’s levels and amenity spaces in a celebration of openness and connectivity.

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinetry, a white countertop, three green-cushioned bar stools, a vase of flowers, and a hanging light fixture.

A symmetrical wooden door with a geometric handle, featuring vertical and horizontal grain patterns.

Beyond lighting, Workstead collaborated with local artisans to create Bergen-exclusive elements, such as custom white oak handles in kitchens and vanity pieces in bathrooms. These bespoke elements blend vintage charm with modern sensibilities, using materials that will develop a patina over time, giving the residences a lived-in quality.

A light-colored marble countertop with wooden cabinets below. A bowl with green artichokes sits on the counter.

A modern living room with a wooden chair, beige sofa, floor lamp, cabinet with books and decorative items, and a candle holder with white candles on a table.

A minimalist marble coffee table with stacked books, a wooden vase, a brown decorative item, and a small, green plant arrangement on top. A striped rug is partially visible underneath.

A white vase with green and pink flowers sits on a wooden table with a marble top, set against a background of wooden cabinets.

Modern bathroom with a double sink vanity featuring wood panel doors, a large mirror, two wall-mounted lights, and a glass-enclosed shower area.

A minimalist bathroom featuring a built-in shelf with toiletries, a small vase with flowers, a bathtub, and a wooden stool with folded towels and a brush. The walls are tiled in light stone.

A serene powder room featuring white oak paneling, honed stone fixtures, and soft natural light

To learn more about Workstead head to workstead.com and for more on Frida Escobedo head to fridaescobedo.com.

Photography by Jonathan Hokklo.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.