Brooklyn Artist Studio

3600 sf

Brooklyn, NY

When purchased by the clients, this 1901 Brooklyn brownstone was in severe disrepair, requiring a complete gut renovation. Originally built in 1893 as one of Brooklyn’s first women’s clinics, the preservation of its historic detailing was paramount alongside new functional and programmatic requirements. The owners—both artists—each needed distinct studio and office spaces, with a place to rest, designed to foster creative focus and long working periods.

Brought in as a consultant to collaborate with LA-based colleagues after construction halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, GA completed the project according to the clients’ vision. The sculpture studio occupies one floor, extending from front and rear, with an adjoining office and an exterior deck. The photography studio on another floor holds a front workspace, an adjacent kitchenette, and a centrally placed bathtub—a personal essential for the artist’s reflective process.

LED lighting coexists with the home’s Italianate ornamentation and original stone fireplaces. Finishes are deliberately pared down: exposed joists, walls, and ceilings and salvaged and refinished floors. Guided by an artist’s eye, the design employs modest industrial materials to create an imaginative, functional environment that balances daily practicality with personal comfort.

DESIGN

Oficina.LA

ARCHITECT

GAuthier architects

MEP Engineering:
Bendix Engineering

PHOTOGRAPHY

Amy Barkow Photo