Architectural Cases

Experience the Past, Embrace the Present: Green-Wood Cemetery's Revitalized Gateway

A Visionary Transformation at Green-Wood Cemetery

New York-based architectural firm ARO has spearheaded a remarkable renovation of a venerable greenhouse situated within the revered Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. This ambitious undertaking has not only rejuvenated the historic structure but also introduced a contemporary welcome center, complete with an inviting entrance courtyard, significantly enhancing the visitor experience at this iconic 19th-century American rural cemetery.

Reclaiming a Forgotten Gem: The Greenhouse's New Chapter

The greenhouse, originally erected in the late 1800s, once flourished as a floral emporium catering to the cemetery's needs before succumbing to disrepair. Recognizing its latent potential, the cemetery administration acquired the property with the strategic intent of centralizing its diverse visitor programs into this singular, revitalized location, thereby consolidating services and creating a more cohesive visitor journey.

Bridging Eras: Design Philosophy and Architectural Elements

The project's architectural approach is characterized by two principal design strategies: the meticulous restoration of the original greenhouse and the construction of a striking burgundy-hued building. This new addition is thoughtfully designed to house various facilities, including welcome areas, spaces for historical exhibits, archives, and administrative offices, all contributing to the cemetery's expanded operational capabilities.

Harmony in Design: Integrating Old and New Structures

ARO ingeniously conceived an L-shaped building that gracefully envelops the greenhouse, strategically aligning its sightlines with the majestic arched gateway that crowns the cemetery's picturesque, undulating landscape. This careful placement ensures a harmonious visual flow and a natural progression for visitors entering the grounds.

A Canvas of Colors: Echoes of History in Architectural Choices

In a deliberate nod to its historical context, the greenhouse received a fresh coat of green paint, while the newly constructed building was adorned with rich burgundy cladding. This color selection was a conscious decision to resonate with the brownstone archway of the cemetery's main entrance, forging a subtle yet profound connection to the site's enduring legacy.

Expanding Horizons: Connecting with the Community

The design philosophy, as articulated by ARO principal Kim Yao, aimed to symbolize the cemetery's proactive engagement with its surrounding neighborhood, portraying the greenhouse as a precious asset at the heart of the community. This outward-reaching vision is further reinforced by the thoughtful landscaping, meticulously crafted by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, which seamlessly extends the cemetery's verdant beauty into the new entry courtyard.

The Journey Within: A Seamless Transition for Visitors

Upon entering the courtyard, visitors are guided into a central lobby, which serves as a pivotal link to the meticulously restored greenhouse. This connection point ensures a smooth and engaging transition, inviting guests to explore both the historical charm of the greenhouse and the modern amenities of the new welcome center.

Modern Comforts Meet Historic Charm: Enhancements to the Greenhouse

Within the rejuvenated greenhouse, ARO integrated advanced acoustic paneling and efficient radiant heating systems. While the original brick flooring was replaced and some glass panes updated, great care was taken to maintain a minimal load on the delicate steel framework, preserving the structural integrity and historical essence of the building. This delicate balance of modernization and preservation ensures the greenhouse retains its authentic character while offering enhanced comfort.

Panoramic Vistas: A Glimpse into the Cemetery's Serenity

The revitalized space masterfully frames sweeping views of the cemetery beyond, creating a tranquil and contemplative atmosphere. On the opposing side, the lobby flows into an expansive gallery, featuring elegant stone floors and large glass panels that offer unobstructed views of the articulated brise-soleil and the greenhouse structure, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces.

An Elevated Perspective: The Upper-Level Offices

The upper floor of the new building is dedicated to an open-plan office environment, thoughtfully designed to offer expansive views towards the east. This strategic placement ensures that the cemetery's serene landscape remains a constant backdrop, reinforcing the deep connection between the architecture and its historical setting.

Sculpted Rooftops: A Nod to the Landscape's Enduring Symbolism

From the vantage point of the office space, occupants can observe the meticulously landscaped roof of the lower section of the new building. This unique feature, adorned with carefully arranged mounds and rocks, subtly evokes the imagery of burial grounds, serving as a poignant reminder of the cemetery's profound purpose and history.

Celebrating Adaptive Reuse: A Trend in Brooklyn's Architectural Landscape

The revitalization of the Green-Wood Cemetery greenhouse stands as a testament to the growing trend of adaptive reuse in Brooklyn. In recent years, architects have increasingly focused on preserving and repurposing historic structures amidst the borough's dynamic 21st-century redevelopment, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and heritage. Other notable projects include Herzog & de Meuron's transformation of a historic power station into an arts complex and Bench Architecture's conversion of a steel mill into a high-end co-working space.

Studioninedots' "Light House" in Amsterdam presents an innovative architectural solution for family living, blending industrial aesthetics with a deeply personalized spatial experience. The five-story structure, characterized by its slender form and strategic use of light-transmitting materials, reimagines vertical living by offering distinct yet interconnected zones for each family member. This design philosophy not only caters to individual needs for privacy and varied activities but also promotes spontaneous interaction and shared moments, creating a harmonious balance between seclusion and togetherness within a compact urban footprint.

The residence stands as a testament to thoughtful material selection and light manipulation, with glass bricks and metal grilles playing pivotal roles in defining its character. These elements not only contribute to the home's industrial allure but also serve functional purposes, filtering natural light and facilitating air circulation throughout the interior. The interplay of minimalist white finishes with warm, tactile materials, such as timber and glossy red tiles, further enriches the domestic environment, ensuring that while the exterior maintains a robust, timeless appeal, the interior radiates comfort and intimacy. This meticulous attention to detail extends to the circulation paths, where a combination of a wooden staircase and a striking spiral metal staircase seamlessly connects the various levels, culminating in a serene rooftop living area that offers expansive views and a private terrace.

Architectural Ingenuity and Material Harmony

The "Light House" project by Studioninedots in Amsterdam exemplifies a masterful integration of architectural ingenuity and material harmony, crafting a family residence that is both visually striking and highly functional. Faced with the challenge of designing a tall, narrow home on a compact urban plot in Centrumeiland, the architects conceived a five-story stack of volumes, each tailored to specific functions, thereby accommodating the family's desire for diverse living environments. The strategic use of glass bricks and metal grilles throughout the structure is central to its design, infusing the interiors with abundant natural light and enhancing ventilation, while simultaneously establishing a distinctive industrial aesthetic. This approach not only addresses the practical needs of urban living but also elevates the home's architectural expression, making it a beacon of modern residential design that champions both individual comfort and collective well-being.

The design philosophy behind "Light House" revolves around creating a dynamic interplay between public and private spaces, achieved through a thoughtful distribution of programmatic elements across its multiple levels. Voids wrapped in glass bricks and metal grilles act as conduits for light and air, fostering a sense of openness and connection within the vertical dwelling. The ground floor, featuring a double-height living, dining, and kitchen area centered around a tree, epitomizes this openness, extending seamlessly into the garden through sliding glass doors. Above, smaller, more intimate spaces like a "retreat" room offer zones for quiet reflection and personal activities. The interior's minimalist white finishes, complemented by warm timber and vibrant red-tiled accents, underscore the geometric clarity of the intersecting volumes, while the exterior's robust palette of glass brickwork and metal cladding creates a timeless, industrial presence. This careful balance of materials and spatial arrangements ensures that the home, despite its verticality, offers a fluid and adaptable living experience, fostering both individual independence and familial interaction.

Dynamic Spatial Design and Luminous Interiors

The dynamic spatial design of "Light House" is a cornerstone of its architectural success, meticulously crafted to foster both individual autonomy and communal interaction within its vertically oriented structure. Studioninedots' response to the family's brief for spaces that allow "each family member to live differently" resulted in a five-story composition where each level serves a distinct purpose. This vertical stratification is ingeniously linked by voids encased in glass bricks and metal grilles, which are not merely aesthetic features but critical elements for light diffusion and natural ventilation. The result is a home that continuously engages with its surroundings, drawing in natural light and air, and creating a vibrant, luminous interior that adapts to the changing rhythms of daily life. The integration of different programmatic elements across various heights ensures a rich tapestry of experiences, from shared family moments to secluded personal retreats, all within the embrace of an innovative architectural framework.

Central to the luminous character of "Light House" is its strategic material selection and the sophisticated manipulation of light. The use of glass bricks on the facades allows for a soft, diffused light to permeate the interiors, creating an ethereal ambiance that shifts throughout the day. This translucency, paired with the industrial elegance of metal grilles, not only ensures privacy without sacrificing natural light but also adds a textured visual depth to the home's exterior and interior. The entrance level, with its soaring double-height living, dining, and kitchen area, serves as the heart of the home, its openness accentuated by a central tree and seamless access to the garden. Above, a "retreat" room and other more intimate zones offer varying degrees of privacy, all benefiting from the controlled ingress of light. Circulation through the house is made fluid by a combination of a substantial wooden stair and a striking red metal spiral staircase, leading to a secondary living space on the top floor that boasts large arched windows and a terrace. This thoughtful design ensures that every corner of "Light House" is bathed in light, creating a bright, inviting, and spatially diverse environment that perfectly balances the family's need for both connection and individuality.